Good calcium reactor for large tanks

FunFishin24 · 07/05/2018, 01:43 PM

Hello all. My lifereef reactor is starting to struggle to keep up with demand. I knew it would be to small for my system eventually & that day has come.

Does anyone use a SRO5000-dual calcium reactor. They seem like they would be a good unit but I can’t find much information on them as far as personal experience reviews. Or is there another one out there that people recommend for large tanks. I’ve seen a lot about the GEO reactors but not sure. Also during my upgrade, are the dual chamber units better?? Thanks

slief · 07/05/2018, 01:51 PM

I run a Geo 818 along with a 2nd reactor for the buffer on my 700 gallon system and it’s perfect. I refill media every 6 or so months and refill my 20 pound co2 bottle every couple years. It has no issues keeping up with my tanks demands and my tank is heavily stocked with all kinds of coral including SPS, LPS, softies and my coraline algae growth is insane which accounts for a fair amount of the reactors contribution. I’ve used the Geo’s for years and their Build quality it great as is their performance and their pump choices. They are also build in the US where as most others are made in China.

As for single vs dual, I prefer having a 2nd reactor as the 2nd reactor serves as a buffer and raises the pH of the effluent a bit. In my case, the effluent from my Geo 818 goes directly into the bottom of a Geo 612 standard media reactor. The main reactor is filled with TLF Reborn media and topped with some TLF Remag and the 2nd reactor is filled with ARM Fine media.

FunFishin24 · 07/05/2018, 06:23 PM

Thank you for the reply. I will look into the geo 818 & compare. As far as the second chamber goes, does it make a big enough difference in ph of effluent to justify the cost of another chamber. Just curious, don’t mind spending the money if it’s worth it. Thanks again.

slief · 07/05/2018, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunFishin24

Thank you for the reply. I will look into the geo 818 & compare. As far as the second chamber goes, does it make a big enough difference in ph of effluent to justify the cost of another chamber. Just curious, don’t mind spending the money if it’s worth it. Thanks again.

It depends on the tank. If your tank has relative low pH it can make a bigger difference than a tank with higher pH. Personally, I prefer the 2nd reactor regardless but that is where the key difference lies.

FunFishin24 · 07/06/2018, 07:01 AM

Thank you for your input. Greatly appreciated.

solitude127 · 07/06/2018, 08:54 AM

Take a look at Aquamaxx reactors. I've been using the T1 for over a year and I really like it. They have a bigger version (T3) which my buddy has and it's really large.

FunFishin24 · 07/06/2018, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitude127

Take a look at Aquamaxx reactors. I've been using the T1 for over a year and I really like it. They have a bigger version (T3) which my buddy has and it's really large.

Thanks. I’ll look into them as well.

hkgar · 07/06/2018, 12:09 PM

I just got an Aquamaxx t-3 to replace a reef octopus cr 5000 that broke. I am running 120ml at a ph of 6.47. Effluent is 18.5 and it is just keeping up to my dKH demand of 3.5/day.

Oh, and I have a 2nd 4' chamber so the flow is from the T3 to the second chamber to the tank.

My tank ph runs about 8.0 daytime.

ca1ore · 07/06/2018, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunFishin24

Or is there another one out there that people recommend for large tanks.

I personally think the MTC ProCal is about the best one out there. Been using mine for almost 20 years. I did have to get a bigger rubble chamber than on the stock unit, but otherwise it's servicing my 450 just fine.

hkgar · 07/06/2018, 12:16 PM

For those with high dKH demand and large reactors; what is your flow rate through the reactor? I am thinking of push 150ml/minute to get ph is the 6.5 to 6.6 range.

FunFishin24 · 07/06/2018, 09:30 PM

So I decided to go with the geo 818 with secondary chamber eventually. But I came across what I think is a good deal & might buy me a little more time but figured I’d ask your thoughts.

I can pick up an older Precision Marine (CR-6, I believe) with an effluent chamber for $100. Has anyone had experience with these?

Thanks.

slief · 07/06/2018, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunFishin24

So I decided to go with the geo 818 with secondary chamber eventually. But I came across what I think is a good deal & might buy me a little more time but figured I’d ask your thoughts.

I can pick up an older Precision Marine (CR-6, I believe) with an effluent chamber for $100. Has anyone had experience with these?

Thanks.

That really depends on the system size and stocking plans. I know I’d be refilling one of those every couple months or less on my system. PM makes quality stuff and the eheim pump is a great pump but bigger is often better with a calcium reactor as it means less maintenance. Especially on larger systems. That said, I wouldn’t run one of those on a 500 gallon system that has decent alk/ca consumption. It would burn through media due to it’s smaller size.

FunFishin24 · 07/07/2018, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

That really depends on the system size and stocking plans. I know I’d be refilling one of those every couple months or less on my system. PM makes quality stuff and the eheim pump is a great pump but bigger is often better with a calcium reactor as it means less maintenance. Especially on larger systems. That said, I wouldn’t run one of those on a 500 gallon system that has decent alk/ca consumption. It would burn through media due to it’s smaller size.

I agree with that. My total volume is around 650 gallons. The problem I’m having now that my demands are higher now due to growth is, I think my lifereef reactor isn’t using my CO2 rather than it going out my effluent. Since my demands are higher I had to increase my effluent, so I had to increase my CO2, but my PH inside the reactor is 6.4. I’m using TLF reborn & my alk drops from 9 down to 7 & calcium drops from 450 to 380 in about 3-4 days, if I don’t supplement with dosing, before everything stabilizes. So I was going to try this PM reactor to see if the reverse flow & double chamber helps before I spend the money on a GEO. What are your thoughts?

this is my current reactor.

Vinny Kreyling · 07/07/2018, 08:15 AM

I don't have luck with larger media but I do with Carib -Sea Florida Crushed Coral.
Originally the media of choice for MTC reactors. I run their Mini.
Personally I would switch out the top chamber & see if it makes a difference for about $20.

slief · 07/07/2018, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunFishin24

I agree with that. My total volume is around 650 gallons. The problem I’m having now that my demands are higher now due to growth is, I think my lifereef reactor isn’t using my CO2 rather than it going out my effluent. Since my demands are higher I had to increase my effluent, so I had to increase my CO2, but my PH inside the reactor is 6.4. I’m using TLF reborn & my alk drops from 9 down to 7 & calcium drops from 450 to 380 in about 3-4 days, if I don’t supplement with dosing, before everything stabilizes. So I was going to try this PM reactor to see if the reverse flow & double chamber helps before I spend the money on a GEO. What are your thoughts?

this is my current reactor.

That should work. Just keep increasing the flow/effluent rate while maintaining the same pH until you find your sweet spot.

scuzy · 07/08/2018, 09:27 AM

Those look like Caribsea arm large media I hated those. It never really melted at 6.3ph. I switched to reborn media and melting at higher pH now in my reactor and it's been working good. Think you should try a different media

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

FunFishin24 · 07/08/2018, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuzy

Those look like Caribsea arm large media I hated those. It never really melted at 6.3ph. I switched to reborn media and tubing at higher pH note in my reactor and it's been working good. Think you should try a different media

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Yeah I started with Arm Coarse a couple years ago & couldn’t get it to melt so I switched to reborn over a year ago. It was working good until I had to increase flow of everything for my demand. Now it can’t keep up.

FunFishin24 · 07/08/2018, 10:12 AM

Scuzy— u are actually correct. In the picture that was Arm media from when I first installed it. The picture is old. Lol. Good eye!!!

07/05/2018, 01:43 PM	#1
FunFishin24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 211	Good calcium reactor for large tanks Hello all. My lifereef reactor is starting to struggle to keep up with demand. I knew it would be to small for my system eventually & that day has come. Does anyone use a SRO5000-dual calcium reactor. They seem like they would be a good unit but I can’t find much information on them as far as personal experience reviews. Or is there another one out there that people recommend for large tanks. I’ve seen a lot about the GEO reactors but not sure. Also during my upgrade, are the dual chamber units better?? Thanks

07/05/2018, 01:51 PM	#2
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	I run a Geo 818 along with a 2nd reactor for the buffer on my 700 gallon system and it’s perfect. I refill media every 6 or so months and refill my 20 pound co2 bottle every couple years. It has no issues keeping up with my tanks demands and my tank is heavily stocked with all kinds of coral including SPS, LPS, softies and my coraline algae growth is insane which accounts for a fair amount of the reactors contribution. I’ve used the Geo’s for years and their Build quality it great as is their performance and their pump choices. They are also build in the US where as most others are made in China. As for single vs dual, I prefer having a 2nd reactor as the 2nd reactor serves as a buffer and raises the pH of the effluent a bit. In my case, the effluent from my Geo 818 goes directly into the bottom of a Geo 612 standard media reactor. The main reactor is filled with TLF Reborn media and topped with some TLF Remag and the 2nd reactor is filled with ARM Fine media. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 Last edited by slief; 07/05/2018 at 02:00 PM.

07/06/2018, 08:54 AM	#6
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Take a look at Aquamaxx reactors. I've been using the T1 for over a year and I really like it. They have a bigger version (T3) which my buddy has and it's really large. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

07/06/2018, 12:09 PM	#8
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	I just got an Aquamaxx t-3 to replace a reef octopus cr 5000 that broke. I am running 120ml at a ph of 6.47. Effluent is 18.5 and it is just keeping up to my dKH demand of 3.5/day. Oh, and I have a 2nd 4' chamber so the flow is from the T3 to the second chamber to the tank. My tank ph runs about 8.0 daytime. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

07/06/2018, 12:16 PM	#10
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	For those with high dKH demand and large reactors; what is your flow rate through the reactor? I am thinking of push 150ml/minute to get ph is the 6.5 to 6.6 range. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

07/05/2018, 06:23 PM	#3
FunFishin24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 211	Thank you for the reply. I will look into the geo 818 & compare. As far as the second chamber goes, does it make a big enough difference in ph of effluent to justify the cost of another chamber. Just curious, don’t mind spending the money if it’s worth it. Thanks again.

07/06/2018, 07:01 AM	#5
FunFishin24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 211	Thank you for your input. Greatly appreciated.

07/06/2018, 09:30 PM	#11
FunFishin24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 211	So I decided to go with the geo 818 with secondary chamber eventually. But I came across what I think is a good deal & might buy me a little more time but figured I’d ask your thoughts. I can pick up an older Precision Marine (CR-6, I believe) with an effluent chamber for $100. Has anyone had experience with these? Thanks.

07/07/2018, 08:15 AM	#14
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I don't have luck with larger media but I do with Carib -Sea Florida Crushed Coral. Originally the media of choice for MTC reactors. I run their Mini. Personally I would switch out the top chamber & see if it makes a difference for about $20. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

07/08/2018, 09:27 AM	#16
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	Good calcium reactor for large tanks Those look like Caribsea arm large media I hated those. It never really melted at 6.3ph. I switched to reborn media and melting at higher pH now in my reactor and it's been working good. Think you should try a different media Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Last edited by scuzy; 07/08/2018 at 10:19 AM.

07/08/2018, 10:12 AM	#18
FunFishin24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 211	Scuzy— u are actually correct. In the picture that was Arm media from when I first installed it. The picture is old. Lol. Good eye!!!