Need opinions CA REactor VS. Dosing Pump

[QueensRob]

I am at a crossroad and can't decide. My 55 sps is fully stocked with corals and the calcium reactor is non consistent with the dosing. Some weeks its low and others its high. Every few days I have to adjust flow rate and ph in reactor. It seems to be more work that its cracked up to be. On my 120 I only drip dose based on the BRS calculator and I refill when empty. I have never had a doser and wanted to get inputs and opinions on the two.
The reactor is a MTC controlled by apex.

 

[duke62]

Calcium reactor for tanks 100 and over , dosing pump for anything under.

 

[reefs4life]

I say if you have a reactor already, just use a reactor

 

[QueensRob]

Looking for experiences and opinions and maybe some facts. I have read all the articles and know the facts just need life experiences with both.

 

[reefs4life]

Looking for experiences and opinions and maybe some facts. I have read all the articles and know the facts just need life experiences with both.

Well MTC recommends you don't use a controller on your calcium reactor due to dKH swings when turning on and off CO2. Maybe you should just try to run your calcium reactor in that fashion. Recommended CO2 rate is I think 1 bubble per second at a drip rate of one drop every 2 seconds or vice versa

 

[QueensRob]

If I do that the alk swing is 1 to 2 per day and have bleached my millis before.

 

[duke62]

Mtc is old school they don't believe in using a ph monitor. I've ran mine for 3 years and it's ALOT easier having monitor to dial on the reactor and a huge piece of mind if the selenium decides to crap out.

 

[QueensRob]

I did run it with a monitor when my pm module craped out but the range in wihic it keeps the ph in the first stage fluctuates way too much. i.e. co2 comes on ph goes to 6.8 co2 turns off ph goes 7.5 before it starts to lower. It's not a calibration issue either. I have 3 ph probes and they all read the same.

 

[ducati335i]

I run a doser on 550 gallons of true water.. Only way I know... U can have great results either way.. I'm more comfortable w this method.. Easy, I make my own alk n calcium.. Works well...

 

[vio]

I am at a crossroad and can't decide. My 55 sps is fully stocked with corals and the calcium reactor is non consistent with the dosing. Some weeks its low and others its high. Every few days I have to adjust flow rate and ph in reactor. It seems to be more work that its cracked up to be. On my 120 I only drip dose based on the BRS calculator and I refill when empty. I have never had a doser and wanted to get inputs and opinions on the two.
The reactor is a MTC controlled by apex.

I really don't like and trust Apex or any controller, the BEST controller is YOU, first try to understand how Calcium Reactor works, make sure, the sponge on bottom is clean, make sure u got some sponge on intake water, to keep the adj. valve free of detritus or any garbage, make sure u regulator (co2) release constant bubbles, make sure u got the right water flow (Not to much or less) some time the effluent got restrict by algae or calcium build up on the end of the hose.I got the same reactor now on my 220 Gal. works, just PERFECT, I also use Kalka. stir, if u depended of Apex that may be u problem, probes must be reg. clean and calibrate, the life of probes is about 2 years, shut off and on the circ. pump, may create the mess. If Apex control that baby , there is the problem. MTC Calcium Reactor (the one u own) is one of the BEST in the market, also GREAT cust. sup. I still have the Libra doser, but is much easy and more constant using the MTC.

 

[QueensRob]

Thanks Ducati. Now I am being convinced that going back to drip dosing or dosing pumps might be the way to go. I just hate the fact that I have to tinker with it every day I come home.

 

[duke62]

Your problem may be from your reactor being clogged. I modded my Mtc with a shelf so the media is not sitting at the bottom and haven't had any clogs or ph swings since. I will post a pic of what I did

 

[duke62]

I used egg crate with 3 acrylic tubes and filter mesh. Works perfect now. I was having ph swings and up and down alk without it

 

[QueensRob]

That's interesting because mine came with that. The suction of the pump is no where near the media. It has a shelf, sponge, shelf on top of the media and another sponge.

 

[duke62]

Ok so that means you have the larger Mtc model which may be your problem there. It's rated I believe 200 to 500 gallon system

 

[edd]

if you have the mtc pro dual reactor it might be too big for your tank.
i have this reactor on my 300, plugged in to controller as a fail safe if tank ph drops below 7.8 it shuts off solenoid. i don't monitor reactor ph.
this reactor is set it and forget it. i only have to adjust when media gets low.
keeps alk at 9 and cal 425-450.

 

[edd]

you beat me to it duke

 

[QueensRob]

ok but if i set it to 10ml per min out and ph inside at 7.8 then y is it fluctuating. Like I said some days its low and some hi. Anywhere from 8 to 10 alk.

 

[edd]

ok but if i set it to 10ml per min out and ph inside at 7.8 then y is it fluctuating. Like I said some days its low and some hi. Anywhere from 8 to 10 alk.

7.8 is too high it shouldn't go above 6.8 or the media won't melt.
set it to off 6.6 on 6.8. thats mtc reasoning is that c02 is all ways on and off.
my c02 is always on at about 1 bubble per 2 seconds.

 

[duke62]

No way don't set it for 6.8 the reactor is to big. It will drive his alk sky high. Get rid of that reactor and either get a reactor for your size tank or get dosing pumps. It's not made for a small tank