Dosing pump vs Calcium Reactor

[TimGentry]

O.K. looking for opinions/thoughts. I want to start using either a calcium reactor or a dosing pump for calcium/alkalinity/magnesium supplementing my tank. Up to now I have been 2 parting it but want to go to one of the two methods for a several reasons but mainly because either will give a steady dose over a twenty four hour period(automatically) rather than a big dose all at once and it's a hell of a lot more convenient.

What do you all think?

[Chaka]

I have only ever read about calcium reactor, but have had experience in dosing. As long as you keep accurate logs of your daily supplement use (E.g. how much calcium, alk, and mag) it makes "easy" to supply the amount required to keep levels where they should be. Dosing pumps are becoming more affordable which makes it a good choice as well.

From seeing your system IMO would not think you need a calcium reactor. But again thats just my 2 cents.

Beautiful tank btw

[rpjaws74]

Im actually setting up a calcium reactor for my system...GEO818 to be precise! dont know how much dosing pumps are but get ready to drop some cash on a calcium reactor cause of all the parts you need to acquire but I heard its the way to go

[stanger50lx92]

I don't two part or anything. I rely on water change to keep all levels in check. I think this is working for me since I don't have much coral mad the coral I do have are small. Once they start to grow I would want to supplement with a two part and dosing pumps. I'll be looking in on this thread to see what everyone else has to say or has worked for them.


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[TimGentry]

Water changes alone, especially using coral pro salt, kept Calcium level good for a while but now due to amount of corals in the tank, the level will drop down under 400 pretty fast if I don't dose it.

[pnavarro170]

well i personally want to see you and ruben run the calcium reactors and show us all. Should be more of a pain to get right from the begining but should be easier in the long run.

[rpjaws74]

Well kid according to aquariumplants there carbon doser electronic co2 regulator is the most precise regulator in the world....and for the price it better well be haha! so according to there claims it shouldnt be a pain to dial in...I also bought the GEO 818 calcium reactor which I hear its one of the best out there also. But I'll keep you posted kid

[Tristan66]

I have the GEO624 and love it, its easy to operate and a piece of equipment that is a part of my system. had it for more than two years with not a single problem. I also run it with electronic regulator for the CO2. bougth it from aquariumplants.com, a bit pricey, but will never go back to the selenoid valves. this regulator makes final adjustments a breeze. ( I think I am running 1 bubble per 3-4 secs.) I also run my system with a PH controller. dont think you need a controller to run the calcium reactor with this elec. regulator if you can dial it to your needs. but IMO you might want to use a PH monitor to know the PH inside the reactor. I keep mine at around 6.5 to 6.6.hope this helps.

[rpjaws74]

Tristan maybe I can get with you at a later time to see how you set yours up if its not a problem...I just need to see it in action rather than reading about it haha

[ReefKeeper64]

Here is my experience. I dosed for a couple of years with my last system and it worked fairly well. Had to mess with tubes from time to time but nothing to complain about. I recently upgraded to a new system and decided to give a calcium reactor a try. It was easy to setup and all I can say is my Alk, calcium, and Mag levels are steady as a rock now. Aquariumplants dot com makes the patented electronic regulator, which is the heart of my calcium reactor system.

[Tristan66]

rpjaws74, you and anyone else that are interested in how my calcium reactor w/ electronic regulator works, are welcome anytime just PM me to make sure i am here.

[Tristan66]

Tim, I guess I did not help you much on your question, but IMO regarless on the initial investment, calcium reactors are my primery source for adding calcium and alkalinity to the system. further more, the CO2 tank is fill one to two times a year and the media will last you a long time maybe a year or more. now it all depends on your calcium requirements that your system demands. remember what you will use today will be different in 6 months or a year. once again it depends on your system. what i have notice is that my elec. regulator has help me conserve more CO2. I dont use 2 part system anymore but as I recall it gets expensive long term. just my two cents.

[TimGentry]

Tristan,
Thanks got your input. I think the calcium reactor is the way I'm going to go. As a matter of fact I've already picked up a used Korillin reactor that should work fine. Still need a co2 tank and regulator. From the info I got from you and other input I have received online and doing some web searching, looks like just getting it all setup initially us the biggest/toughest aspect. Looks like once you get in up and going and tuned in its not that's cg hassle. Throw in the fact that it should save time and money over the long haul and it looks like the best choice for me. Hell, Ill be happy just to not have to remember to dose with calcium and alkaline every day!