Necessity of Calcium Reactor? 40 Gallon

paulsz · 08/15/2017, 05:59 PM

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum, and to saltwater tanks in general. I have done research for quite a few months now, as well as have seen plenty of videos, so I think I am ready to take on the challenge. I do also have a couple of years worth of experience with freshwater, and as much as I do know that SW is a completely different ball game, it doesn't hurt to have this fishkeeping experience.

My plan is a 40 gallon breeder (or anything in the 36- 40 gallon range) with a 20 gallon high sump. At first it will be a FOWLR tank (stocking yet to be decided), but will eventually dive into soft corals. As I started making my list of required equipment, I've stumbled upon the need to maintain calcium and alkalinity (especially in reef tanks). My question is, is a calcium reactor necessary? How do you guys go about maintaining calcium/alkalinity? Furthermore, will maintaining the calcium/alkalinity be necessary in FOWLR, or only in reef tanks?

Thank you,

Paul

billdogg · 08/15/2017, 06:06 PM

With soft corals, and even some LPS corals, regular water changes will be more than enough. Just use a decent salt (I use IO or IORC) for my SPS dominant 120. I use BRS 2part for Ca/Alk

Clowning_Around · 08/15/2017, 06:18 PM

Fowlr, not necessary.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

paulsz · 08/15/2017, 06:58 PM

Thank you for the quick replies. If I do end up using the BRS 2 part, how will I go about using it? Is it okay to prepare a week's worth and just dose it equally for each of the 7 days? or must it be prepared daily?

billdogg · 08/16/2017, 05:06 AM

I mix it 10g at a time and store it in potable water just gave. Lasts me a few months that way

Sk8r · 08/17/2017, 11:55 AM

Even for a packed stony reef, kalk in the topoff water should handle calcium needs for a 40 gallon, given a gallon a day evaporation rate.

heathlindner25 · 08/17/2017, 12:42 PM

I have a 40 sps tank and dose alk every day and calcium every other day.

08/15/2017, 05:59 PM	#1
paulsz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 38	Necessity of Calcium Reactor? 40 Gallon Hi all, I'm new to the forum, and to saltwater tanks in general. I have done research for quite a few months now, as well as have seen plenty of videos, so I think I am ready to take on the challenge. I do also have a couple of years worth of experience with freshwater, and as much as I do know that SW is a completely different ball game, it doesn't hurt to have this fishkeeping experience. My plan is a 40 gallon breeder (or anything in the 36- 40 gallon range) with a 20 gallon high sump. At first it will be a FOWLR tank (stocking yet to be decided), but will eventually dive into soft corals. As I started making my list of required equipment, I've stumbled upon the need to maintain calcium and alkalinity (especially in reef tanks). My question is, is a calcium reactor necessary? How do you guys go about maintaining calcium/alkalinity? Furthermore, will maintaining the calcium/alkalinity be necessary in FOWLR, or only in reef tanks? Thank you, Paul

08/15/2017, 06:06 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	With soft corals, and even some LPS corals, regular water changes will be more than enough. Just use a decent salt (I use IO or IORC) for my SPS dominant 120. I use BRS 2part for Ca/Alk __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

08/15/2017, 06:18 PM	#3
Clowning_Around Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 527	Fowlr, not necessary. Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk __________________ Build http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2638892 Parameters: Temp 77-79degF, Specific Gravity 1.023-1.024, PH 8.1-8.4, Alk 8-12, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, Phosphate <.2, Calc 3 Current Tank Info: Custom Oak Stand \| 75G FO Display \| 40G Breeder Sump \| MarinePure Ceramic Media Plate \| Eshopps x-120 skimmer \| Mag9 Return \| Aqua Ultraviolet Advantage 2000+ 15w

08/16/2017, 05:06 AM	#5
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I mix it 10g at a time and store it in potable water just gave. Lasts me a few months that way __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer Last edited by billdogg; 08/16/2017 at 05:18 AM.

08/17/2017, 11:55 AM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Even for a packed stony reef, kalk in the topoff water should handle calcium needs for a 40 gallon, given a gallon a day evaporation rate. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/15/2017, 06:58 PM	#4
paulsz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 38	Thank you for the quick replies. If I do end up using the BRS 2 part, how will I go about using it? Is it okay to prepare a week's worth and just dose it equally for each of the 7 days? or must it be prepared daily?

08/17/2017, 12:42 PM	#7
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	I have a 40 sps tank and dose alk every day and calcium every other day.