Calcium Reactor

[xabo]

Looking for thought/opinions on calcium reactors. My Deltec 601s is down due to broken Aquabee pump. Tired of the frustration in obtaining a new one. Does anyone know of suitable replacement pump for the Aquabee?

 

Been looking into a Geo and a Avast. Any others I should consider?

Edited September 17, 2013 by xabo

[Origami]

Can't you fit another pump in? From just a brief look at the Deltec 601, it seems like you may be able to add in something like an Eheim as a replacement. The Aquabee 2000 was a 2000 liter/hr (525 gph) pump. This fits between an Eheim 1250 and 1260. For example, you can get a replacement Eheim from Marine Depot. My Korallin calcium reactor uses am Eheim.  Otherwise, both Geo and Avast make good reactors. Investing in a really good / accurate regulator is where the real improvement can be had.

[sachabballi reef]

I think you should buy the avast so that you bump up our discount!

[xabo]

Can't you fit another pump in? From just a brief look at the Deltec 601, it seems like you may be able to add in something like an Eheim as a replacement. The Aquabee 2000 was a 2000 liter/hr (525 gph) pump. This fits between an Eheim 1250 and 1260. For example, you can get a replacement Eheim from Marine Depot. My Korallin calcium reactor uses am Eheim.  Otherwise, both Geo and Avast make good reactors. Investing in a really good / accurate regulator is where the real improvement can be had.

 

Not sure......How do you like the Korallin?

[Origami]

It's good. However, having owned it for years, I'm of the opinion that while they look complicated, the job that they do is fairly straightforward. They acidify water using CO2, and they circulate it to dissolve media and to create a calcium- and alkalinity-rich effluent that's added to your tank. So, assuming that you have a decent design to start with, it boils down to having a good, reliable pump and a good regulator or means to control how much CO2 is dumped into the reactor at any one time.

 

The nice thing about a Geo or an Avast reactor are they are both made in the USA. This makes getting parts for them a lot easier (and the parts are not metric in most cases, if not all). Avast, of course, is local and this club is home to them both. I support Avast whenever I'm able. Korallin comes out of Germany and, when I accidentally broke a part on the reactor, I had to go to Marine Depot which served as their in-country spare parts supplier.

 

A Sicce Synra 2.0 pump may also be an option for you if all you're doing is replacing the pump on your Deltec. Less than $90 at Aquacave.

[Der ABT]

love my avast, have the first version ive since modded a few times with the help of justin, their latest design is the best if you ask me, less chance of the pump going dry, you can use any recirc pump you want. etc etc etc...

i am also adding a second effluent chamber to mine with the use of an old grey seas media reactor.....

 

especially with the build party/discount id strongly recommend this reactor...alot less than a Geo and works just as well. parts/service are awesome....but really you dont need much in terms of parts cause they made it able to use whatever you feel like (maxijet/sicce/random etc)

currently have the maxijet on the old config and just need to take the time to switch over to the new config and the sicce thats sitting in my office....oh yeh and Avast sells the sicce's so you can get a deal on them too.

[s2nhle]

Tunze silence pump 1073.020 is also a good choice if you are handy.

[Origami]

...oh yeh and Avast sells the sicce's so you can get a deal on them too.

That's true. I'd forgotten about that. List is between $90 and $95, but if we get a 25% discount from the Booty Buy, then that's down to less than $75. And, if you make it to the QR Social / Avast You-Built party early next month, you'll save on shipping, too.

[xabo]

Thanks for the replies. I've been looking at the Avast and determined that I would most likely need the III. What's a good/accurate regulator?

[YHSublime]

I think you should buy the avast so that you bump up our discount!

 

love my avast, have the first version ive since modded a few times with the help of justin, their latest design is the best if you ask me, less chance of the pump going dry, you can use any recirc pump you want. etc etc etc...

 

especially with the build party/discount id strongly recommend this reactor..

 

+1

[Origami]

Thanks for the replies. I've been looking at the Avast and determined that I would most likely need the III. What's a good/accurate regulator?

Check out AquariumPlants.com for regulators. The widely agreed upon "best" is their electronic regulator but it's pricey. I just ordered one today to replace my old Milwaukee regulator.

[Der ABT]

i have an old milwaudkee, it need to be cleaned every few months or it has issues

 

ive heard alot of good things about the aquarmplants one but i have also heard a few horror stories dealing with teh company...i may give them a shot but who konws.....