Calcium Reactor, is the $$$ really worth it? - Page 2

jay24k · 03/05/2006, 07:22 PM

I used to dose too reeferal however I just got tired of it. Your tank is obviously bigger and I couldn't imagine dosing on that. I went through a ton of 2 part. It's cheap making it yourself. Im glad I went with a reactor. In all honesty, I didnt see a ph drop when I started using it.

robsmith32 · 03/05/2006, 07:49 PM

actually, my ph got rock stable when i went to the ca reactor.. It keeps the alk high so ph isn't able to fluctuate much.

heck, the 40brdr i just set up to house the corals, I attached to the 150 folr so that i can keep the reactor benefit for it.
I was having to add buffer ever couple days to it before the reactor. Also as he jay24 mentioned use the ph controller on it, and you can basically forget it. Just eye the media every now and then and the regulator to make sure that it has co2 going and media isn't gone.
Personally i have a huge diy that i got used from another reefer that was selling off his system.
Granted it's a little guy in comparison to one of mrc for a store system, i seen while it was being leak tested..
But I've had it for 9 months and only thing so far i've done was pay 18 bucks to get the co2 tank refilled 4 months ago.
there are some nice inexpensive diy posted around the board if you look.
oh, you might notice that people that dose often say they dont' see the benefit, but those that have switched, rarely would be against the reactor.. Probably the 2nd best $200 i've spent on the system. the best was redoing the sump so that skimmers would work more optimally.
And the bigger it is, just means more media it can house and less of you having to replace it.

thesaent14 · 03/05/2006, 07:50 PM

i ofert to make a cal reactor for him wich is 23HX4W somting like this

just have to get the pump whats funy is i toll him to give me 150$ for the custum work and he said the he will go for the name brand insted of my and now every one is telling him to go with a difent brand cus the one he likes will no do for his tank or the 300g some times is not the name brand what count

i was going to built the cal reactor with a upflow and ready for a secund chanber plus i was going to help him with the intaletion it was going to be plug and play

jay24k · 03/05/2006, 08:28 PM

Seems decent. The one I got was 70 more but is really built well. Not saying yours isn't though. They have alot of extras packed in to make sure it does not leak. What is the extra holes in the reactor for on yours? I understand the in and out to the pump but not sure what the rest is.

The one I had has a bubble counter, a spot that is sealed for a ph probe, has a rubber o ring that prevents the top from leaking. Also it is 6 inches in diameter which holds alot of media.

Just talking from experience, I couldn't swing it but lately it is very tedious not to have one. With over 60 sps raning from 1 inch frags to 6 - 9 inch diameter colonies, the stability of one is too much for me not to depend on.

There are other reactors that work as well. Geo makes nice ones, and several other vendors. I priced out several and I couldn't understand what made one between 100 to 300 extra for the same chamber size or smaller. They all pretty much do the same thing and work well. I'd build one myself but after seeing how well built this one is, I don't think I would.

thesaent14 · 03/05/2006, 09:00 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jay24k
[B]Seems decent. The one I got was 70 more but is really built well. Not saying yours isn't though. They have alot of extras packed in to make sure it does not leak. What is the extra holes in the reactor for on yours? I understand the in and out to the pump but not sure what the rest is.

ok i like to make my stuff difrent so let me tell you how it go the top one is to return in to the pum that pic dont show how it go the 1/2 in the side is to the sum the sucund one in the bottom is for a secund chanber i dont use o ring and this is why

all acses to the chanber

i dont have a buble counter in my reactor cus the one for that one is on the regulator

but if you want to see a buble chanber here is one with one

any Q???? feel free to ask

jay24k · 03/05/2006, 09:31 PM

Well the o ring imo just makes the seal better but I have full access to the chamber from the top.

Ok I get why you have the extras now.

ZURCSREEF · 03/05/2006, 09:59 PM

thesaent you told me 180$ with nothing but the reactor, still needed everything else. And who is saying the 500g rated one I am interested in isn't going to work for my 120? Funny thing is the coralife is a brand name and I have read good reviews on it, and its 60$ cheaper then the one you wanted to sell me thats DIY. Don't lie. if I would have went with yours I would have to be spending money left and right and it would cost me the same as a brand name or more, atleast I have a warranty with the brand name and more features.

jay24k · 03/05/2006, 10:44 PM

It is possible it will work for your 120 but if you plan on going sps or high amounts of stonies, it might be at it's limit. I honestly don't think it will handle a 500 gallon load. But try it out and you can always sell it down the road. Good luck with it either way.

ghever · 03/05/2006, 11:51 PM

Is it better to have dual chamber or single chamber?

What brands do you guys recommend?

G

jaimwolfe · 03/05/2006, 11:57 PM

I would say build your own if you are a DIY'er. I did and followed a thread from this site.

Here's the thread, http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

Here is a picture of the design (Thanks to Greeneyedblackcat).

Total with the Mag2 ran me about $125.00, Plus $75 for a celenoid / Regulator for the CO2 tank, plus ~$35 for a used CO2 tank. Total of about $235 and it runs my 180 heavy SPS reef.

ZURCSREEF · 03/06/2006, 12:03 AM

nice jaimwolf... if I can't get what I want for my setup... I might try that...

jaimwolfe · 03/06/2006, 12:08 AM

It was fun to build, that is for sure! Best of luck.

ZURCSREEF · 03/06/2006, 12:12 AM

Were all the parts as easy to find as he said and as cheap? I am not the best of DIY'ers but, I think I can try and give it a shot... I am thinking about getting out of the hobby for a little bit, if that doesn't go through, I will try it, if I do get out the hobby for a bit and come back, that will definately be something I will consider... I might just move to something smaller... I don't know... really in a pit stop right now.

jaimwolfe · 03/06/2006, 12:49 AM

Yeah, they were for me. We have a place here in Elkhart IN that stocks the acrylic and the clear 1/2" PVC, but I didn't find out about it until we ordered them from USplastics. Menards even has the pressure caps in stock.

ZURCSREEF · 03/06/2006, 12:50 AM

Whats Menards?

ReeferAl · 03/06/2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZURCSREEF
Whats Menards?

A midwest equivalent to Lowes or Home Depot.

robitreef · 03/06/2006, 12:26 PM

Anyone using a calc reactor on a nano tank?

jay24k · 03/06/2006, 06:06 PM

lol there really isn't a need on a nano. I don't think you will need a dual chamber though. Not unless you are packing some corals in a big tank. Most will come with an option of adding on later on if you need to with very little modification needed.

I tried to pm you but your box was full.

reefgeek84 · 03/06/2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jaimwolfe
I would say build your own if you are a DIY'er. I did and followed a thread from this site.

Here's the thread, http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

Here is a picture of the design (Thanks to Greeneyedblackcat).

Total with the Mag2 ran me about $125.00, Plus $75 for a celenoid / Regulator for the CO2 tank, plus ~$35 for a used CO2 tank. Total of about $235 and it runs my 180 heavy SPS reef.

Where did you get the used c02 tank from? and can it be any kind?

reefgeek84 · 03/06/2006, 06:32 PM

Why do some use bio-balls and other ones use sand?

ZURCSREEF · 03/06/2006, 06:32 PM

reefgeek, bargain trader is filled with them, can get one used for under 40$ some even come with a gauge, but don't think they can be used with these reactors.

ZURCSREEF · 03/06/2006, 06:33 PM

I think the ones you are talking about with bioballs are a type of dual stage canister filters, I may be wrong though.

ZURCSREEF · 03/06/2006, 08:17 PM

I was able to sell my 125g tank in my garage, so I will be keeping my 120g setup, I was looking in marinedepot and found this co2/dual guage regulator combo and was wondering if this is a good deal or should I just find a used co2 tank and get the milwauke combo like you guys suggested on ebay?

Let me know, heres the link:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...idproduct=CO2K

-Mike C. aka ZURCSREEF

jaimwolfe · 03/06/2006, 11:08 PM

Yeah, any co2 tank will do. If you get a used one with a regulator, it probably won't be exact enough to let the CO2 out as slowly as you will need. I found mine is a local penny saver flyer.

03/05/2006, 11:57 PM	#35
jaimwolfe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 70	I would say build your own if you are a DIY'er. I did and followed a thread from this site. Here's the thread, http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1 Here is a picture of the design (Thanks to Greeneyedblackcat). Total with the Mag2 ran me about $125.00, Plus $75 for a celenoid / Regulator for the CO2 tank, plus ~$35 for a used CO2 tank. Total of about $235 and it runs my 180 heavy SPS reef. __________________ 180 AGA RR SPS / Mixed Reef - OM8way with Barracuda CL, 3-250W DE 12K's, 640W VHO, Dart as main return pump, ZeroDOC180c Beckett Skimmer, DIY Calcium Reactor Current Tank Info: 180 AGA Reef SPS / Mixed

03/06/2006, 12:08 AM	#37
jaimwolfe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 70	It was fun to build, that is for sure! Best of luck. __________________ 180 AGA RR SPS / Mixed Reef - OM8way with Barracuda CL, 3-250W DE 12K's, 640W VHO, Dart as main return pump, ZeroDOC180c Beckett Skimmer, DIY Calcium Reactor Current Tank Info: 180 AGA Reef SPS / Mixed

03/06/2006, 12:49 AM	#39
jaimwolfe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 70	Yeah, they were for me. We have a place here in Elkhart IN that stocks the acrylic and the clear 1/2" PVC, but I didn't find out about it until we ordered them from USplastics. Menards even has the pressure caps in stock. __________________ 180 AGA RR SPS / Mixed Reef - OM8way with Barracuda CL, 3-250W DE 12K's, 640W VHO, Dart as main return pump, ZeroDOC180c Beckett Skimmer, DIY Calcium Reactor Current Tank Info: 180 AGA Reef SPS / Mixed

03/06/2006, 11:08 PM	#49
jaimwolfe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 70	Yeah, any co2 tank will do. If you get a used one with a regulator, it probably won't be exact enough to let the CO2 out as slowly as you will need. I found mine is a local penny saver flyer. __________________ 180 AGA RR SPS / Mixed Reef - OM8way with Barracuda CL, 3-250W DE 12K's, 640W VHO, Dart as main return pump, ZeroDOC180c Beckett Skimmer, DIY Calcium Reactor Current Tank Info: 180 AGA Reef SPS / Mixed

03/05/2006, 07:22 PM	#26
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	I used to dose too reeferal however I just got tired of it. Your tank is obviously bigger and I couldn't imagine dosing on that. I went through a ton of 2 part. It's cheap making it yourself. Im glad I went with a reactor. In all honesty, I didnt see a ph drop when I started using it.

03/05/2006, 07:49 PM	#27
robsmith32 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: BUford, ga Posts: 609	actually, my ph got rock stable when i went to the ca reactor.. It keeps the alk high so ph isn't able to fluctuate much. heck, the 40brdr i just set up to house the corals, I attached to the 150 folr so that i can keep the reactor benefit for it. I was having to add buffer ever couple days to it before the reactor. Also as he jay24 mentioned use the ph controller on it, and you can basically forget it. Just eye the media every now and then and the regulator to make sure that it has co2 going and media isn't gone. Personally i have a huge diy that i got used from another reefer that was selling off his system. Granted it's a little guy in comparison to one of mrc for a store system, i seen while it was being leak tested.. But I've had it for 9 months and only thing so far i've done was pay 18 bucks to get the co2 tank refilled 4 months ago. there are some nice inexpensive diy posted around the board if you look. oh, you might notice that people that dose often say they dont' see the benefit, but those that have switched, rarely would be against the reactor.. Probably the 2nd best $200 i've spent on the system. the best was redoing the sump so that skimmers would work more optimally. And the bigger it is, just means more media it can house and less of you having to replace it.

03/05/2006, 07:50 PM	#28
thesaent14 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: miami lakes florida Posts: 1,591	i ofert to make a cal reactor for him wich is 23HX4W somting like this just have to get the pump whats funy is i toll him to give me 150$ for the custum work and he said the he will go for the name brand insted of my and now every one is telling him to go with a difent brand cus the one he likes will no do for his tank or the 300g some times is not the name brand what count i was going to built the cal reactor with a upflow and ready for a secund chanber plus i was going to help him with the intaletion it was going to be plug and play

03/05/2006, 08:28 PM	#29
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	Seems decent. The one I got was 70 more but is really built well. Not saying yours isn't though. They have alot of extras packed in to make sure it does not leak. What is the extra holes in the reactor for on yours? I understand the in and out to the pump but not sure what the rest is. The one I had has a bubble counter, a spot that is sealed for a ph probe, has a rubber o ring that prevents the top from leaking. Also it is 6 inches in diameter which holds alot of media. Just talking from experience, I couldn't swing it but lately it is very tedious not to have one. With over 60 sps raning from 1 inch frags to 6 - 9 inch diameter colonies, the stability of one is too much for me not to depend on. There are other reactors that work as well. Geo makes nice ones, and several other vendors. I priced out several and I couldn't understand what made one between 100 to 300 extra for the same chamber size or smaller. They all pretty much do the same thing and work well. I'd build one myself but after seeing how well built this one is, I don't think I would.

03/05/2006, 09:00 PM	#30
thesaent14 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: miami lakes florida Posts: 1,591	[QUOTE]Originally posted by jay24k [B]Seems decent. The one I got was 70 more but is really built well. Not saying yours isn't though. They have alot of extras packed in to make sure it does not leak. What is the extra holes in the reactor for on yours? I understand the in and out to the pump but not sure what the rest is. ok i like to make my stuff difrent so let me tell you how it go the top one is to return in to the pum that pic dont show how it go the 1/2 in the side is to the sum the sucund one in the bottom is for a secund chanber i dont use o ring and this is why all acses to the chanber i dont have a buble counter in my reactor cus the one for that one is on the regulator but if you want to see a buble chanber here is one with one any Q???? feel free to ask

03/05/2006, 09:31 PM	#31
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	Well the o ring imo just makes the seal better but I have full access to the chamber from the top. Ok I get why you have the extras now.

03/05/2006, 09:59 PM	#32
ZURCSREEF Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl Posts: 2,347	thesaent you told me 180$ with nothing but the reactor, still needed everything else. And who is saying the 500g rated one I am interested in isn't going to work for my 120? Funny thing is the coralife is a brand name and I have read good reviews on it, and its 60$ cheaper then the one you wanted to sell me thats DIY. Don't lie. if I would have went with yours I would have to be spending money left and right and it would cost me the same as a brand name or more, atleast I have a warranty with the brand name and more features.

03/05/2006, 10:44 PM	#33
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	It is possible it will work for your 120 but if you plan on going sps or high amounts of stonies, it might be at it's limit. I honestly don't think it will handle a 500 gallon load. But try it out and you can always sell it down the road. Good luck with it either way.

03/05/2006, 11:51 PM	#34
ghever Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Thousand Oaks Posts: 645	Is it better to have dual chamber or single chamber? What brands do you guys recommend? G

03/06/2006, 12:03 AM	#36
ZURCSREEF Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl Posts: 2,347	nice jaimwolf... if I can't get what I want for my setup... I might try that...

03/06/2006, 12:12 AM	#38
ZURCSREEF Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl Posts: 2,347	Were all the parts as easy to find as he said and as cheap? I am not the best of DIY'ers but, I think I can try and give it a shot... I am thinking about getting out of the hobby for a little bit, if that doesn't go through, I will try it, if I do get out the hobby for a bit and come back, that will definately be something I will consider... I might just move to something smaller... I don't know... really in a pit stop right now.

03/06/2006, 12:50 AM	#40
ZURCSREEF Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl Posts: 2,347	Whats Menards?

03/06/2006, 12:26 PM	#42
robitreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Chicago Posts: 440	Anyone using a calc reactor on a nano tank?

03/06/2006, 06:06 PM	#43
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	lol there really isn't a need on a nano. I don't think you will need a dual chamber though. Not unless you are packing some corals in a big tank. Most will come with an option of adding on later on if you need to with very little modification needed. I tried to pm you but your box was full.

03/06/2006, 06:32 PM	#45
reefgeek84 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portlan, OR Posts: 997	Why do some use bio-balls and other ones use sand?

03/06/2006, 06:33 PM	#47
ZURCSREEF Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl Posts: 2,347	I think the ones you are talking about with bioballs are a type of dual stage canister filters, I may be wrong though.

03/06/2006, 08:17 PM	#48
ZURCSREEF Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl Posts: 2,347	I was able to sell my 125g tank in my garage, so I will be keeping my 120g setup, I was looking in marinedepot and found this co2/dual guage regulator combo and was wondering if this is a good deal or should I just find a used co2 tank and get the milwauke combo like you guys suggested on ebay? Let me know, heres the link: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...idproduct=CO2K -Mike C. aka ZURCSREEF