JMsAquarium December 5, 2005 December 5, 2005 So what are the benefits of using both, versus either one?
ErikS December 5, 2005 December 5, 2005 Both can be good if you have issues with PH when using a Ca reactor. Kalk reactors are good for light -> medium Ca/Alk demands, Ca reactors are better for higher demands. I find a Ca reactor pretty easy to use/maintain & I don't have any PH issues. They can be a bit tricky to setup/understand. Once you "get it" with regards to the fact that they're really ALK reactors (thanks Chip ).......as in you check the ALK & the Ca will take care of itself.......they're easy to adjust/maintain.
JMsAquarium December 5, 2005 Author December 5, 2005 Which basically, if we do not take into account the PH issue, sums it up to supply (from the unit) VS. demand (from the tank), eh?
ErikS December 5, 2005 December 5, 2005 sums it up to supply (from the unit) VS. demand (from the tank), eh? Pretty much, if you use a kalk reactor you can only dose so much before the PH goes too high. If you use a CA reactor & you start to dive it hard you can send the PH down. In general terms a CA reactor can deliver much more supplements before the tank PH needs correction because driving up the ALK also keeps the PH up - a Kalk reactor has no such "correction".
Guest zmalexander December 5, 2005 December 5, 2005 I personally have never used either, but according to Randy Holmes on RC, using both together can help ofset the pH effect of each one individually. Zac
Caribbean Jake December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 I use both, and I have seen the difference between not having one and having them feed my SPS tank. The corals have outgrown the rocks, and prunning is now a weekly task. My SPS's love the CA reactor and the Kalk keeps the PH in balance.
Caribbean Jake December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 If you were to start with one, I suggest the Kalk so you can keep PH and Alk balanced. But if you have the $$$ then start with the CA reactor and soon see the difference.
JMsAquarium December 6, 2005 Author December 6, 2005 If you were to start with one, I suggest the Kalk so you can keep PH and Alk balanced. But if you have the $$$ then start with the CA reactor and soon see the difference. 46610[/snapback] I am running a DIY Kalk reactor at the mo, it does a fair job so far. Yes I am strongly considering putting a CA reactor as well. That's why I am asking Which brings another question, several brands on the market, most of the designs seem to work based on the upflow principle, which is circulating from the bottom up. Now does the diameter of the reaction chamber matters a lot, as well as one VS. two reaction chambers? I tend to believe that this related to the contact time between the CO2 saturated water and the media, right? For your answer, consider it based on a 120 gal, standard size of 4x2x2.
Caribbean Jake December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 I bought mine from Iceman before he left the hobby. The Ca reactor was built my Geofloors and is a dual chamber. Both chambers are about 4" in Dia. and 16" tall. The feed pump is at the top and recirculation comes from the bottom into the second chamber. So far is working wonders. like I said before it is a must when you have so many SPS.
ErikS December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 What I've learned/gather/know - Chamber diameter really only pertains to amount of media it will hold. More media = can be pushed harder (and longer between refills). As you mention, contact time = more CO2 = more effluent = can keep up with a higher demand. Two chambers raises the PH of the effluent slightly - very slightly (by most acounts it mght go from 6.8 to 6.9/7.0 ). Not worth the bother IMHO (besides you can always add one DIY afterwards) They pump from the bottom up (good ones anyway) to avoid media compaction. For a 120 most of the "regular" (6x12 or 18) units on the market will keep up, even heavily stocked with SPS. Most of the generally recomended will get the job done (MyReefCreations, GEO, Aquatic Systems Design). Koralin is a love/hate one that's in common use - some love them, some hate them....I have no idea My one criteria would be that it MUST have an Eheim recirculation pump - nothing less. Most come with a MAG pump & I would have one of those anywhere near my system let alone in an environment which is very high in CA. Nice to have is a PH probe port, makes it very easy to check the unit (no effluent cups, can measure the PH 24/7). I have a GEO & it's a solid well built unit, but there are others just as good if not maybe better (hard to say, a CA reactor ain't rocket science). If I had the time I'd probably buy a Barr Aquatics unit (though if he can't/won't do an Eheim then I'd pass). Another nice design that I've heard good things about is Aquatic Systems Design very nice price but by the time you add the Eheim & the PH port it's pretty close to a GEO. Often recomended is ReefTek - I've had one of his products & he's a butter fingered DIY at best (really, he shouldn't be selling stuff)
Caribbean Jake December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 correction on my previous post. The CA reactor is pump from the bottom up, the recirculation comes from over the top on the first chamber into the bottom of the second chamber and the feed goes into the tank. I am using a Maxi Jet to feed the water from my sump pump into the CA reactor, and another pump at the base for recirculation at the chambers. Don't know the brand of the pump right now, but if you need to I can research it and get it for you maybe tonight.
Caribbean Jake December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 one more thing JM. have you checked with RC on which CA reactor is most commonly used by the hobbiests? Perhaps you may want to run a post and a poll at etiher WAMAS and RC and see the responses on the CA type most of the people use. Just a suggestion.
JMsAquarium December 6, 2005 Author December 6, 2005 one more thing JM. have you checked with RC on which CA reactor is most commonly used by the hobbiests? Perhaps you may want to run a post and a poll at etiher WAMAS and RC and see the responses on the CA type most of the people use. Just a suggestion. 46635[/snapback] HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Oh yeah, I've read many posts about it in RC. Not surprisingly it goes down to "Mine is the best because that's the one I've bought" :D Simply put, the major brands have similar designs and good results, for a similar price, give or take a $10-$20 here and there. But yes, that is a very interesting suggestion. I'll do a post here at Wamas for starters. It will definitely be very educative for all interested.
Caribbean Jake December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 you know, regardless of the brand and type of CA reactor you get, once you get a CA reactor you will see the difference in growth on your SPS and other livestocks. Perhaps you may want to start with a simple one chamber CA reactor (GEO, Aquatic Design) and you can always add a DIY second chamber or down the road you can sell this CA reactor and buy a second reactor of more capacity or dual chamber format. If you do go with a dual chamber make sure you use crush coral on your second chamber and ARM in your first chamber. I forgot to mention that in my previous post. Also, I agree with Erik on ReefTek, try others first.
ErikS December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 Simply put, the major brands have similar designs and good results, for a similar price, give or take a $10-$20 here and there. Exactly - not sure a poll would do much good The design isn't rocket science which is why they're often DIY'd. One of the most popular units on the market is Koralin - and from what I've read folks either love them or hate them as they can be a bit of a pain to setup (though some swear by the units). Now on the other hand if we were to start talking about fluidized reactors like Deltec then we're in an entirely different league :D For me it came down to price - I got a new GEO w/ an Eheim & a PH port from PA @ MACNA for $265 = a nice unit @ a nice price. As mentioned all I really care about is that it's a decent unit w/ an Eheim pump. It does have some "weaknesses" like tubing instead of 100% hard plumbed - but does it really matter? The Aquatic Systems unit looks very nice, $219 for the base unit, $30 for the Eheim, and $10 for the port = $259 for a 6x18 unit - tough to beat that.
Caribbean Jake December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 one more thing. My CA reactor is and may not be the best, but buy having a CA reactor (which ever brand and type) I am very pleased with the growth in my tank
JMsAquarium December 6, 2005 Author December 6, 2005 Exactly - not sure a poll would do much good Unless we want to do a remake of "The fight of the best MH bulb" :P Yup, the AS seems simple , sturdy and yes on the cheap side on the market. Anyway, there is no argument here that a CA is a great addition to a tank in order to get a steady supplementation of calcium.
ErikS December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 My CA reactor is and may not be the best, See....that's just it, IMHO I'll bet it's as good as anything on the market - they're just not that different. Circulates CO2 through media = it works as good as any other
Caribbean Jake December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 That is what I ment. It may or may not be the best template, it may have the best quality, and regardless of the price either the most expensive or the cheapest it provides CA suplements into the tank and it is evident on the livestock. So bottom line Mr. JM, get a CA reactor and have fun watching your SPS grow and grow
ErikS December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 Oh yeah, before Jake & I get too carried away - get out your razor/plastic scraper & stock up on vinegar.............you'll be dealing with *cough* some extra coraline & pump cleaning :D
Caribbean Jake December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 coraline? yeap, lots of it comes with adding a CA reactor, and you will notice it really works when you entire tank starts getting lots and lots of coraline all over the glass walls. :D
JMsAquarium December 6, 2005 Author December 6, 2005 LOL that's for sure, and for the DIY types that are not that good at DIY :P I can very well see how to retrofit two of these to make a nice dual chamber, or even a cheap alternative for a single chamber one.
HowardofNOVA December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 Alright, I now have a Regulator! :D ....thanks Jean Marie'!!! :77: oh, boy, now I just need a CA Reactor, Needle Value, Tank, etc, etc, etc! So when is the DIY CA Reactor party? Howard
JMsAquarium December 6, 2005 Author December 6, 2005 Alright, I now have a Regulator! :D ....thanks Jean Marie'!!! :77: oh, boy, now I just need a CA Reactor, Needle Value, Tank, etc, etc, etc! So when is the DIY CA Reactor party? Howard 46664[/snapback] Your place tonite? We are only 769 members coming, so we won't intrude too much :D
ErikS December 6, 2005 December 6, 2005 DIY???? Here's the easiest & one of the cheapest ways to DIY a CA reactor (I think the Phosban chamber is a bit small???? - really have no idea). RC Ca Reactor DIY - using parts from Lowes One of the slickest DIY designs I've seen is this one: RC Ca Reactor DIY - GreenEyedBlackCat's Design
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