Which calcium reator should I buy!? - Page 2

elephen · 03/31/2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nicholasvilppu

I am thinking of getting this one. It looks like a good combo of price and quality plus it comes with the circulation pump and they will add the probve holder for $10 MRC wanted like $20 for that and didn't include the circultation pump but was cheaper so it probably works out to be the same.

Its a rock solid unit. Same one I have, mine's been running strong for years ad I don' think I'd ever own any other reactor.

Zaphod · 03/31/2006, 12:57 PM

Sounds good then I will get that once I do my taxes today.

chImerAnz · 03/31/2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Koralin - very easy.

Agreed, Korallin are good. I did have problems with mine but thats coz i didnt stick to the instructions

Quote:

I saw a thread on the koraline and some of it seamed kind of complex. I would like one I can put my ph probe into.

Hahaa, complex?!!! no way, water goes in, water comes out. simple. The only thing complicated about them is the Eheim circulating pump that sits ontop - it only makes them appear complex. I have the C3001. You only need to set the bubble rate at 1 per 7 seconds or so. Most Calcium reactors need setting at 1 per second so you save on CO2 costs long term.

They are very good reactors and i recommend them so long as you stick to the instructions. I set my bubble rate too high which caused the media to break down too quickly clogging the filter pad at the bottom of the reactor. This caused more pressure on the circulating pump impeller causing wear. So now I have to get a new impeller, not a major and pretty much my own fault but something to watch out for nonetheless. pH probes arent needed on the Korallins coz of there internal circulation pump (something like that anyway) The good thing about them is everything is built into them, circulation pump, bubble counter etc.

Here's a pic of the C4001 and C1501

At the end of the day, I'd say most Calcium Reactors are much the same, its the quality of the media you use in them that is more important.

Zaphod · 03/31/2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chImerAnz
I set my bubble rate too high which caused the media to break down too quickly clogging the filter pad at the bottom of the reactor.

I thought that is why you want to check the PH in the chamber?

chImerAnz · 03/31/2006, 07:10 PM

Quote:

I thought that is why you want to check the PH in the chamber?

yes, need to check the pH of the effluent. needs to be about 6.6-6.8 or so. problem being when I was still learning about calcium reactors, I got told 1 second per 7 seconds by instructions and then to adjust later, told by some friends 1 bubble per second, told by others 2 bubbles per second, finally read a reefkeeping article that these figures are just standard 'starting' counts and to adjust based on the pH of your effluent. live and learn.

The problem with calcium reactors is you make a change then you have to wait a good 24 hours before testing again. can take up to a week or more before you get it right.

jay24k · 03/31/2006, 08:40 PM

Don't need to test it if you have a ph controller. I set my controller to 6.8 and my bubble rate is probably about 60 per minute. It keeps the ph at that level and doesn't vary at all. If you don't use a controller, you will have to perfect it so the ph doesn't adjust as it runs non stop.

IMO, buy the controller. Not much more then a ph monitor. ASZ reactor adds the built in probe free if you buy everything from him and it works great.

redawg · 03/31/2006, 10:19 PM

even with a controller i would still try to dial it in.. parts do break and it'd sure suck if the soleniod got stuck open.

i've had a geo 6x18 for about a month now. love it.

Zaphod · 03/31/2006, 10:26 PM

I have a controller so I will adjust and use the controller.

Rueg · 03/31/2006, 10:49 PM

http://www.reeftek.com/Calcium_Reactor.htm

The one pictured is a old model. Click on the 'View the reactor in action' to see what the current design looks like. If you want to buy a complete setup I found the ReefTek to have more options for the equipment you need to run the reactor.

Also check out this thread:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hlight=reeftek

Zaphod · 03/31/2006, 10:56 PM

looks cool I like the quick connects it also holds a lot of media.

I'll check the thread.

Zaphod · 03/31/2006, 11:09 PM

you guys aren't making my choice any easier! :-)

Rueg · 03/31/2006, 11:19 PM

I think both the ReefTek and the Aquatic Systems Design reactors are excellant values. You can get more choices for equipment with the ReefTek, but of course you can also buy everything separate from different sources also.

mille239 · 04/05/2006, 07:58 AM

So what is a good feed pump for the AquaticSystemDesign Reactor?

jay24k · 04/05/2006, 09:49 AM

I use a maxijet 1200 or you can use the aqualifter.

s10willy · 04/05/2006, 09:51 AM

I am using a Maxijet 900 for mine with no problems, either. No particular reason for choosing the 900 over a 1200. I just had one on hand.

anjhof · 04/05/2006, 10:25 AM

Why are more people recommending the aquatic systems reactor over the MRC one? Any problems with the MRC?

Zaphod · 04/05/2006, 10:32 AM

any downside to using a aqua lifter?

jay24k · 04/05/2006, 11:29 AM

It's just the one I use. I think it is very well built. I was impressed with it completely. The aqualifter works well.

Zaphod · 04/05/2006, 02:31 PM

cool. What media do you guys use? I am thinking about.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ry_Code=cmedia

s10willy · 04/05/2006, 02:39 PM

I'm using ARM with no problems so far. I get it locally at the same price as Premium Aquatics sells it for, and I don't have to pay shipping. If I have problems with ARM, then I would probably look at the same media you listed.

jay24k · 04/05/2006, 04:21 PM

I wanted to use the Schuran stuff but PA wouldn't pricematch another shop and the other shop wasn't getting any in for 2 weeks. So I went with ARM but I will use the other stuff next time for sure.

03/31/2006, 12:57 PM	#27
Zaphod Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Acton,CA Posts: 1,402	Sounds good then I will get that once I do my taxes today. __________________ - Nick Current Tank Info: 90 gal Mixed Reef

03/31/2006, 10:26 PM	#33
Zaphod Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Acton,CA Posts: 1,402	I have a controller so I will adjust and use the controller. __________________ - Nick Current Tank Info: 90 gal Mixed Reef

03/31/2006, 10:56 PM	#35
Zaphod Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Acton,CA Posts: 1,402	looks cool I like the quick connects it also holds a lot of media. I'll check the thread. __________________ - Nick Current Tank Info: 90 gal Mixed Reef

03/31/2006, 11:09 PM	#36
Zaphod Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Acton,CA Posts: 1,402	you guys aren't making my choice any easier! :-) __________________ - Nick Current Tank Info: 90 gal Mixed Reef

04/05/2006, 07:58 AM	#38
mille239 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrison Twp., MI Posts: 1,644	So what is a good feed pump for the AquaticSystemDesign Reactor? __________________ -Blair Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, though a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced. Current Tank Info: 120 SPS reef in progress, 120 mixed reef, currently being completely rebuilt)

03/31/2006, 08:40 PM	#31
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	Don't need to test it if you have a ph controller. I set my controller to 6.8 and my bubble rate is probably about 60 per minute. It keeps the ph at that level and doesn't vary at all. If you don't use a controller, you will have to perfect it so the ph doesn't adjust as it runs non stop. IMO, buy the controller. Not much more then a ph monitor. ASZ reactor adds the built in probe free if you buy everything from him and it works great.

03/31/2006, 10:19 PM	#32
redawg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 977	even with a controller i would still try to dial it in.. parts do break and it'd sure suck if the soleniod got stuck open. i've had a geo 6x18 for about a month now. love it.

03/31/2006, 10:49 PM	#34
Rueg Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: DeForest, WI Posts: 641	http://www.reeftek.com/Calcium_Reactor.htm The one pictured is a old model. Click on the 'View the reactor in action' to see what the current design looks like. If you want to buy a complete setup I found the ReefTek to have more options for the equipment you need to run the reactor. Also check out this thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hlight=reeftek

03/31/2006, 11:19 PM	#37
Rueg Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: DeForest, WI Posts: 641	I think both the ReefTek and the Aquatic Systems Design reactors are excellant values. You can get more choices for equipment with the ReefTek, but of course you can also buy everything separate from different sources also.

04/05/2006, 09:49 AM	#39
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	I use a maxijet 1200 or you can use the aqualifter.

04/05/2006, 09:51 AM	#40
s10willy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 404	I am using a Maxijet 900 for mine with no problems, either. No particular reason for choosing the 900 over a 1200. I just had one on hand.

04/05/2006, 10:25 AM	#41
anjhof Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Huntley, IL Posts: 746	Why are more people recommending the aquatic systems reactor over the MRC one? Any problems with the MRC? Last edited by anjhof; 04/05/2006 at 10:37 AM.

04/05/2006, 10:32 AM	#42
Zaphod Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Acton,CA Posts: 1,402	any downside to using a aqua lifter? __________________ - Nick Current Tank Info: 90 gal Mixed Reef

04/05/2006, 11:29 AM	#43
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	It's just the one I use. I think it is very well built. I was impressed with it completely. The aqualifter works well.

04/05/2006, 02:31 PM	#44
Zaphod Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Acton,CA Posts: 1,402	cool. What media do you guys use? I am thinking about. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ry_Code=cmedia __________________ - Nick Current Tank Info: 90 gal Mixed Reef

04/05/2006, 02:39 PM	#45
s10willy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 404	I'm using ARM with no problems so far. I get it locally at the same price as Premium Aquatics sells it for, and I don't have to pay shipping. If I have problems with ARM, then I would probably look at the same media you listed.

04/05/2006, 04:21 PM	#46
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	I wanted to use the Schuran stuff but PA wouldn't pricematch another shop and the other shop wasn't getting any in for 2 weeks. So I went with ARM but I will use the other stuff next time for sure.