Poll: Do you use a calcium reactor?

[Hal1]

Trying to figure out how helpful these things are. Do you use one, and do you like it?

 

[Boss_512]

I have a ? what is it, and what dose it do.
sorry still trying to learn.

 

[jiml77]

I use kalkwasser reactor for automatic top off. Works great . . Jim

 

[Xphixer2]

I alternate using reef builder by seachem and reef complete by seachem. unfortunately I let the alk go way too low and it nearly crashed the tank. I would do a calcium reactor if I had an extra 500.00 dollars lying around. (oh yea, and a sump system). someday...... Rich

 

[Rich-n-poor]

dont have one ......or metal halide.....or a sump....or a refugium....or a wavemaker....what I do have is 5 kids anyone want to trade one of them for any of the above listed equipment ?

_________________
E Matrix

 

[chris_h]

I may be wrong but I always thought that calcium reactors were mainly intended for use on larger reefs in which it is unpractical to mantain calcium through water changes or other means. Since most of us have smaller reefs we dont use reactors.

 

[esmithiii]

Do not use, but plan to. I dose Kalkwasser now.

E

 

[danmhippo]

used to, but quit and solds it after a move. now rely on tropic marin's biocalcium AND KALK

 

[64Ivy]

Yep, I use one, but as I have a large (500+ gallon) reef that's pretty loaded with 'SPS' corals, I need all the help I can get. So I also top-off with kalk. Together, they keep my numbers fairly constant.

 

[Lockart]

In have one that I built myself. You can find the plans at this site: http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/mar/features/2/default.asp
It keeps my 125 GL reek st 400 - 450 on calcium.

 

[slojmn1]

I use a calcium reactor on my 120g reef. I have sps corals and they use up a lot of calcium. the calcium reactor is nice way to keep the alk and calcium up high enough and stable.

 

[dendronepthya]

I've got one on a 120 reef. They are really a godsend for reef tanks 120 and larger. For smaller tanks, you can maintain calcium and alkalinity levels fairly easily with additives, but on larger tanks, it is much more difficult. The nice thing about a reactor is how stable it makes your water chemistry. There are no sudden fluctuations in pH, alk, or calcium since the unit was built to mintain a certain value. Basically, all you have to do is adjust the ca, alk, and pH using additives, and then turn on your reactor. You can then go for months without checking your levels because they are rock steady.

 

[davelin315]

Not yet, but one day I will. Am in the process of building one/convincing myself to buy one.

Basically, what they do is they are filled with aragonite, which is broken down by water which is cycled through it that has a lower pH due to the injection of CO2 into it. As the water passes through the aragonite medium again and again, it breaks down/dissolves the aragonite, releasing calcium and other stored trace elements into the water. The pH gets built back up by the process, as aragonite will buffer the water, and the effluent goes back into your tank, adding important trace elements and calcium, and keeping alk higher. The pH of the effluent is often lower than what is desired, so sometimes a second chamber is added as a final pass through which will buffer the water a bit more. It introduces this water at a slow rate to the tank, usually a drip or a tiny tiny stream which will not affect the pH of your tank.

 

[cubera]

Ditto and Hi Todd. I can't imagine going back to the days of drips and additives. CRs are the only way to go IMHO

 

[Mouse]

I have one, its a Knop C. I also use Kalk, and buffers, and remineral M, and Coral Vit Combi, Iodene, Strontium, Molybendum, Marine Snow, Spectra Vital, Black Powder and Malt Vinegar. I have my reef on all the gear.

Its 20 gallons so the suppliments last a ong time

 

[THillson]

I have one on every tank. I wouldn't think of running a tank without one now that I have them. They take little maintenance and let me enjoy my tanks more with less work. Ya, they cost $$$, but you can find plans on-line to build your own at a fraction of the cost a retail one would cost.

 

[Mabu]

A few questions on this thread:

1. How noisy is a typical CR? (Obviously more noisy than a drip system)

2. Can this be run without a sump?

3. What are the best models and sources if you don't DIY?

4. Any recommendations (brand/model/method) on setting something like this up for a 55g?

5. Can a single CR supply multiple tanks?

 

[danmhippo]

1. How noisy is a typical CR?

Silent, unless air got trapped in the recirculating pump.

2. Can this be run without a sump?

Definetly, but sump is recommended.

3. What are the best models and sources if you don't DIY? Any recommendations (brand/model/method) on setting something like this up for a 55g?

I will let someone else answer that.

5. Can a single CR supply multiple tanks

If they share a common sump. Otherwise, no.