Nielsen reactor versus Calcium reactor

jeffberg · 04/03/2007, 01:17 PM

What is the difference between a Nielsen reactor versus a calcium reactor: which one works better and is easier to maintain/better for your tank? thanks jeff

SDguy · 04/03/2007, 01:25 PM

A nielson reactor is just a kalk reactor. A chamber where kalk gets occasionally stirred while fresh DI water is drawn through it to top off your tank. It supplies calcium and alkalinity only.

A calcium reactor basically slowly dissolves coral gravel with low pH tank water and drips it back into the tank, thereby supplying calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, etc.

jeffberg · 04/03/2007, 01:28 PM

So am I safe to assume Cacium reactor is more effort with more benefits to your tank?

markzfishn1 · 04/03/2007, 01:31 PM

My calcium reactor is hardly any work after the initial set up. I just check the bubble counter and drip rate every couple of days to make sure nothing is clogged up. I rarely need to make adjustments.

jeffberg · 04/03/2007, 01:45 PM

What make do you have where did you get your CO2 bottle? Just seems like with the CO2 and all it would be a pain. thanks Jeff

markzfishn1 · 04/03/2007, 01:57 PM

I had the guy who custom made my sump/fuge make that for me as well as my skimmer. Both work really well. He also works at my outstanding LFS, so I think he might have hooked me up with a CO2 bottle and milwaukee regulator from the store at his price. The milwaukee regulator is easy to use and when I broke the acrylic bubble counter on the bottle, they just sent me a new one for free. I have pics in my gallery of my set up. He made the sump/fuge/skimmer/ca reactor and mag 11 return pump for $800 and it all fits under my 54 corner stand.

wrott · 04/03/2007, 02:20 PM

You can buy a CO2 tank at a local welding supplier. A 5lb bottle is ~$80 and last 4-6 months depending on your calcium demand(bubble rate)--a refill is $10. Mine is set at 1 bubble/second and a fully charged 5lb tank will last up to 5 months. I have my solenoid on my light timer so the CO2 is on only 12hrs/day---and the pH doesn't drop as much at night.
Like Mark said they are a set it and forget it piece of equipment--check for clogs.

SDguy · 04/03/2007, 02:49 PM

You can get even more affordable CO2 stuff at a brew shop.

The whole calcium reactor setup may seem overwhelming at first, but once you set it up, it's a great addition to a high calcium demanding tank. Best bet also is to buy a package deal (reactor, regulator, media...basically everything except the CO2 tank).

jeffberg · 04/03/2007, 03:30 PM

Good info thank you.

04/03/2007, 01:17 PM	#1
jeffberg Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Gainesville Florida Posts: 652	Nielsen reactor versus Calcium reactor What is the difference between a Nielsen reactor versus a calcium reactor: which one works better and is easier to maintain/better for your tank? thanks jeff

04/03/2007, 01:25 PM	#2
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	A nielson reactor is just a kalk reactor. A chamber where kalk gets occasionally stirred while fresh DI water is drawn through it to top off your tank. It supplies calcium and alkalinity only. A calcium reactor basically slowly dissolves coral gravel with low pH tank water and drips it back into the tank, thereby supplying calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, etc. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

04/03/2007, 01:31 PM	#4
markzfishn1 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Charleston SC Posts: 468	My calcium reactor is hardly any work after the initial set up. I just check the bubble counter and drip rate every couple of days to make sure nothing is clogged up. I rarely need to make adjustments. __________________ Mark Current Tank Info: 75g saltwater FOWLR aggressive/triggers, 54g corner lionfish

04/03/2007, 01:57 PM	#6
markzfishn1 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Charleston SC Posts: 468	I had the guy who custom made my sump/fuge make that for me as well as my skimmer. Both work really well. He also works at my outstanding LFS, so I think he might have hooked me up with a CO2 bottle and milwaukee regulator from the store at his price. The milwaukee regulator is easy to use and when I broke the acrylic bubble counter on the bottle, they just sent me a new one for free. I have pics in my gallery of my set up. He made the sump/fuge/skimmer/ca reactor and mag 11 return pump for $800 and it all fits under my 54 corner stand. __________________ Mark Current Tank Info: 75g saltwater FOWLR aggressive/triggers, 54g corner lionfish

04/03/2007, 02:20 PM	#7
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	You can buy a CO2 tank at a local welding supplier. A 5lb bottle is ~$80 and last 4-6 months depending on your calcium demand(bubble rate)--a refill is $10. Mine is set at 1 bubble/second and a fully charged 5lb tank will last up to 5 months. I have my solenoid on my light timer so the CO2 is on only 12hrs/day---and the pH doesn't drop as much at night. Like Mark said they are a set it and forget it piece of equipment--check for clogs. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

04/03/2007, 01:28 PM	#3
jeffberg Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Gainesville Florida Posts: 652	So am I safe to assume Cacium reactor is more effort with more benefits to your tank?

04/03/2007, 01:45 PM	#5
jeffberg Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Gainesville Florida Posts: 652	What make do you have where did you get your CO2 bottle? Just seems like with the CO2 and all it would be a pain. thanks Jeff

04/03/2007, 02:49 PM	#8
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	You can get even more affordable CO2 stuff at a brew shop. The whole calcium reactor setup may seem overwhelming at first, but once you set it up, it's a great addition to a high calcium demanding tank. Best bet also is to buy a package deal (reactor, regulator, media...basically everything except the CO2 tank). __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

04/03/2007, 03:30 PM	#9
jeffberg Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Gainesville Florida Posts: 652	Good info thank you.