kalk reactor vs calcium reactor

[steveoutlaw]

Ok, I have a 120g tank with softies, LPS and SPS in it. I'm trying to decide on what the most efficient means of adding calcium to my tank is. Right now I have a My Reef Creations CR-1 calcium reactor that I haven't set up yet. Would the calcium reactor be the best way to go or would the kalk reactor be more beneficial?

[ErikS]

Um...............ah....................don't really think there's a true "better" & some folks use both.

 

A kalk reactor will add Ca but will tend to raise the PH & if you have a real heavy Ca load you may not be able to deliver enough Ca to meet the demand (without sky rocketing the PH).

 

A Ca reactor will be able to deliver more Ca but it can drive down the PH if you run it hard enough.

 

As I mentioned some folks dose Kalk to make up for the ph dive w/ the Ca reactor.

 

In general a Kalk reactor is a simpler operation & takes less tuning to get it to function (dump, stir, & dose for the Kalk reactor).

 

Personally I prefer the Ca reactor, this is how nature does it & why not immitate that?

 

 

You have the Ca reactor, why not just use it? (course if you want to sell it )

[rocko918]

I asked this a few months back

 

http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=4805&hl=

[ErikS]

Pump stirred Kalk reactor is a weak design, makes no sense to me at all - constant maintainence of a pump - no thanks.

 

Also, factor in that a Ca reactor also feeds back trace elements such as strontium - a kalk reactor does not.

[steveoutlaw]

Thanks Erik - I might be calling you for help when I get my regulator for my CO2 tank. BTW, how often do those need to be refilled?

[rocko918]

What other design is there? It easy maintance if the pump is on the outside of the reactor.

 

It's also a cost factor, plus room for a co2 tank/regulator and cal reactor.

Pump stirred Kalk reactor is a weak design, makes no sense to me at all - constant maintainence of a pump - no thanks.

 

Also, factor in that a Ca reactor also feeds back trace elements such as strontium - a kalk reactor does not.

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[ErikS]

Thanks Erik - I might be calling you for help when I get my regulator for my CO2 tank. BTW, how often do those need to be refilled?

Don't ask me, I'm at about the same stage as you Got the reactor yesterday, tested it & it leaked Ah, that's what I get for trying to save a couple bucks.

 

From what I've read it depends on unit size & tank load. Average is replenish the media about every eight months & re-fill the tank every 12-18 months.

 

Other design - a mag stir = zero maintainence. Used MRC & Barr aquatics.

[flowerseller]

I put this on the other older post.

 

For an inexperienced (no offense) reefer, I believe the best way to add CA is with a kalkreactor. Good PowerHead stirred designs work just fine.

Problem with inexperience and a CA reactor is ALK.

Personally, I run both because I need both. IMO, if your PH is too low because of a CA reactor, it's not adjusted correctly and/or you have poor gas exchange.

You would be hard pressed to raise CA with a CA reactor but can sky rocket or deplete your ALK.

You can however raise both with a kalkreactor, but need to watch PH

 

If you want to have only one, I would use a KALKREACTOR.

Have you ever tested the ALK from a kalkreactor that is efficiently stirring?

It might surprise you

[ErikS]

Good PowerHead stirred designs work just fine.

Yeah, but they require maintainence - just MHO but the mag stirrers are a better design.

 

You would be hard pressed to raise CA with a CA reactor but can sky rocket or deplete your ALK.

Whoa - I've never heard this one before. Raising depends on the unit I suppose, but I've read about a lot of folks accomplishing just that w/ units such as a JetStream. I've heard of skyrocketing Alk, but plummeting? How does that happen? Is that from the Mg loss?

 

(not disputing, just looking at the pitfalls).

[flowerseller]

WHOA....I've heard of skyrocketing Alk, but plummeting?

Too high can cause precipitation and thus a rapid drop.

 

Once you get your leak fixed and run it awhile, you'll learn those joys.

 

Like other experienced users, I liken them (calcium reactors) to more like ALKALINITY reactors and stable (while average/lower) calcium levels as a side benifit. You won't find many of us willing to say it raises calcium levels by much, if any. Then again, I have a pretty high demand for it so...... draw your own conclusion.

 

We tend to use "turbo calcium" to raise that and then keep it steady. Yes, TC can and will lower ALK but you've already developed a good stong bank of it to work down from.

 

Ionic balance is what you might want to focus your efforts on, the rest is sheer fun.

 

HTH

[ErikS]

Too high can cause precipitation and thus a rapid drop.

 

Once you get your leak fixed and run it awhile, you'll learn those joys.

Same can be said for Kalk, precipitation can result. Fortunately it will take awhile to "fix" the leak - it's going back. My fault, never try to save a buck & buy a bargain brand. The Octopus by CoralVue is a terrible design. Hey, somebody had to try one out.

 

You won't find many of us willing to say it raises calcium levels by much, if any. Then again, I have a pretty high demand for it so...... draw your own conclusion.

 

That makes sense, given enough load nothing is going to be able to raise the level.

 

Since we're on Ca reactors, have you tried dolomite to prevent the depletion of Mg? Though a concern to me is that it's another test Mg (I happen to have one from a prior experience w/ Mg drops) & it would seem that it could get out of whack pretty easily.