Geo Calicum reactor

Ninja120 · 08/10/2006, 11:07 AM

I am thinking of purchasing a geo calcium reactor. But I am unsure of exactly what I need to make it run. If you guys could please make a list of stuff I need.

seattlerob · 08/10/2006, 11:18 AM

I'm in the market for a CA reactor as well, and I too am leaning towards GEO.

Here's a link to phishybusiness.com's "GEO Package Deal"

http://www.phishybusiness.com/calciu...=item&strID=16

I've never ordered from phishybusiness, but the link will give you a good idea of the add'l equipment you will probably need in conjunction with the reactor. hth, rob

Ninja120 · 08/10/2006, 11:34 AM

wierd in premium aquatics it said it holds 12lbs of media and phihy only gives us 8lbs? Anyways what about the bubble counters and thing like that? Do we really need a maxijet1200? I thought it already came with a pump

Ninja120 · 08/10/2006, 11:46 AM

How are reef fanatic ph controllers and CO2 regulators?

seattlerob · 08/10/2006, 12:29 PM

The difference in media capacity is probably due to different GEO models...8x12 vs 8x18 maybe? I think the MJ1200 is used to feed the reactor, but if you're going to tee of your return or something like that, I assume the MJ1200 may not be necessary.

I don't have any actual experience with RF PH controllers & CO2 regulators, so I don't think I can comment on that, except that I too am looking at getting a RF CO2 regulator. Debating whether I want to get a PH controller, or just pay a little more for a full aquarium controller like the AC jr that can do PH and much more, too.

TacoKing · 08/10/2006, 12:58 PM

I have to say GEO makes one heck of a CA reactor. I have an 8x24 reactor and it's awsome. I've never had a problem with it and he does amazing work. I recommend GEO to everyone.

-Rob

Ninja120 · 08/10/2006, 01:08 PM

What is the difference from feeding and tee off the reactor? Sorry I dont know how the reactors work but i know the purpose. I am usually visual learner so when I get one I will figure it out and understand it totally. I read some of the articles already but all they do is provide the main idea and importance of calcium reactor. If you know any articles that gives a full debriefing on what each part is for that would be appreciated.

TacoKing · 08/10/2006, 01:33 PM

The reactor can either be fed by your return pump or by a powerhead. If you use your return pump you'll T off the return, put a valve on it and then feed the calcium reactor with that pump. Or you can get a maxi-jet or similiar pump and feed the reactor with that pump. Make any sense?

Ninja120 · 08/10/2006, 03:20 PM

Sort of, I am guessing the eheim pump that comes with the reactor pumps it back into the tank?

seattlerob · 08/10/2006, 03:47 PM

The Eheim pump is for circulating the water & CO2 thru the media chamber. It just keeps the water moving within the reactor. The feed to the reactor is how water gets into the reactor, which in turn is what determines how much comes back out....at least that's my understanding...never actually owning a CA reactor.

The pro to teeing off of your return pump would be no additional pumps to cause any more heat issues and no extra $$ for the extra pump, but the con would be losing a bit of the overall flow provided by the return pump (albeit probably not much).

The cons to a separate feed pump would be cost and the added heat factor back into the water from the pump. Besides MJ1200 feed pump, I think you have other feed pump options as well. But MJ1200 is pretty cheap and I don't think it adds too much heat.

Ninja120 · 08/10/2006, 05:20 PM

For a ca reactor would be better to buy a unit like Aqua controller Jr or a PH controller?

old salty · 08/10/2006, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ninja120
I am thinking of purchasing a geo calcium reactor. But I am unsure of exactly what I need to make it run. If you guys could please make a list of stuff I need.

You will need the reactor itself, a feed pump, reactor media, CO2 tank and regulator, some CO2 tubing, and a pH controller (this is optional.)

Ninja120 · 08/10/2006, 05:37 PM

Do i need a bubble counter? Isnt that used to dial it in?

08/10/2006, 11:07 AM	#1
Ninja120 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 414	Geo Calicum reactor I am thinking of purchasing a geo calcium reactor. But I am unsure of exactly what I need to make it run. If you guys could please make a list of stuff I need.

08/10/2006, 11:18 AM	#2
seattlerob Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 464	I'm in the market for a CA reactor as well, and I too am leaning towards GEO. Here's a link to phishybusiness.com's "GEO Package Deal" http://www.phishybusiness.com/calciu...=item&strID=16 I've never ordered from phishybusiness, but the link will give you a good idea of the add'l equipment you will probably need in conjunction with the reactor. hth, rob

08/10/2006, 11:34 AM	#3
Ninja120 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 414	wierd in premium aquatics it said it holds 12lbs of media and phihy only gives us 8lbs? Anyways what about the bubble counters and thing like that? Do we really need a maxijet1200? I thought it already came with a pump

08/10/2006, 11:46 AM	#4
Ninja120 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 414	How are reef fanatic ph controllers and CO2 regulators?

08/10/2006, 12:29 PM	#5
seattlerob Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 464	The difference in media capacity is probably due to different GEO models...8x12 vs 8x18 maybe? I think the MJ1200 is used to feed the reactor, but if you're going to tee of your return or something like that, I assume the MJ1200 may not be necessary. I don't have any actual experience with RF PH controllers & CO2 regulators, so I don't think I can comment on that, except that I too am looking at getting a RF CO2 regulator. Debating whether I want to get a PH controller, or just pay a little more for a full aquarium controller like the AC jr that can do PH and much more, too.

08/10/2006, 12:58 PM	#6
TacoKing Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 2,051	I have to say GEO makes one heck of a CA reactor. I have an 8x24 reactor and it's awsome. I've never had a problem with it and he does amazing work. I recommend GEO to everyone. -Rob

08/10/2006, 01:08 PM	#7
Ninja120 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 414	What is the difference from feeding and tee off the reactor? Sorry I dont know how the reactors work but i know the purpose. I am usually visual learner so when I get one I will figure it out and understand it totally. I read some of the articles already but all they do is provide the main idea and importance of calcium reactor. If you know any articles that gives a full debriefing on what each part is for that would be appreciated.

08/10/2006, 01:33 PM	#8
TacoKing Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 2,051	The reactor can either be fed by your return pump or by a powerhead. If you use your return pump you'll T off the return, put a valve on it and then feed the calcium reactor with that pump. Or you can get a maxi-jet or similiar pump and feed the reactor with that pump. Make any sense?

08/10/2006, 03:20 PM	#9
Ninja120 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 414	Sort of, I am guessing the eheim pump that comes with the reactor pumps it back into the tank?

08/10/2006, 03:47 PM	#10
seattlerob Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 464	The Eheim pump is for circulating the water & CO2 thru the media chamber. It just keeps the water moving within the reactor. The feed to the reactor is how water gets into the reactor, which in turn is what determines how much comes back out....at least that's my understanding...never actually owning a CA reactor. The pro to teeing off of your return pump would be no additional pumps to cause any more heat issues and no extra $$ for the extra pump, but the con would be losing a bit of the overall flow provided by the return pump (albeit probably not much). The cons to a separate feed pump would be cost and the added heat factor back into the water from the pump. Besides MJ1200 feed pump, I think you have other feed pump options as well. But MJ1200 is pretty cheap and I don't think it adds too much heat.

08/10/2006, 05:20 PM	#11
Ninja120 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 414	For a ca reactor would be better to buy a unit like Aqua controller Jr or a PH controller?

08/10/2006, 05:37 PM	#13
Ninja120 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 414	Do i need a bubble counter? Isnt that used to dial it in?