Dual stage Ca++ reactors...overrated?

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

Ive played with the Korrelins, they are nice units too, but I choose the PM CR622 over the 4001 for a few reasons.

1st is that its easier getting media in and out of the PM actually, I have found that putting the lid back on with media refills to be a big PITA. Not so with the PM. 2nd I have too found that if by user error the CO2 is adjusted incorrectly the pump will cavitate and burn out, not so with the PM, 3rd, if anyone has ever held a PM product in their hands, its just made great, uses 1/4 inch thick acrylic(the Korrelin has a lot of plastic) tubing,a superior seal against salt creep and leaks,all spears plumbing with John guest fittings and valves. Cant beat it. Regardless the Korrelin is still a great product, I find it has some minor drawbacks for the price you pay.

 

[M.E.Milz]

Thanks for the input. The only reason that I am leaning to a Korralin 4001 is that it holds so much media, although I understand what you are saying about it being fickel to run at times. I will have to investigate the CR622 some more.

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

I dont know the conversion of Kg to pounds but the CR 622 holds about 16lbs of media.

 

[Green Lantern]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ritteri&Bubbles:
<STRONG>I dont know the conversion of Kg to pounds but the CR 622 holds about 16lbs of media.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think it is 7.28Kg, FWIW .

 

[Ritteri&amp;Bubbles]

M.E. Miltz: Mike over at Precision Marine makes custom sized Ca reactors just to let you know, He could easily make a 6" O.D. reactor twice as tall, use 8" OD tubing, etc etc, he makes custom skimmers too etc, there is a toll free number on the website, Im sure he would accomadate your needs and it would be of a higher quality material and a better overall design too. All I can say is that you must have a HUGE tank, because the CR 622 Im running now is doing double duty on 2 tanks for a total of over 300g's in combined capacity.

 

[KenH]

I do not have experience with another reactor, but I have been very pleased with the quality of the CR622 as well. Here is a pic next to a 10lb CO2 tank to give you an idea of its size.

Here's a link to a post that shows M.E.Milz's tank. It's a pretty heavily packed 200 gallon tank with a lot of SPS. I can image that the calcium demand is quite high.
http://www.reefs.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=027180

--- Ken

 

[Ritteri&amp;Bubbles]

Thats a very nice looking tank indeed! Even with the load at that level a CR622 would handle it no sweat, I still think I may have a higher bioload in my 2 tanks, I dont have the SPS's he does, but my LPS corals and almost 2 dozen clams will still easily be on par with his level. This Reactor I think is rated for about 700g total, I always half that number for heavy loads, and actually halfing it again equals about 200g. But if a larger unit is required(or at least feels like it is)then all the power to him, Id still give Mike the nod and call him for a custom unit, do a CR622 and add a few inches in height to add media volume.

 

[Wrasse]

Thanks for the input and suggestions. Although you are correct that the CR622 will be more than adequate for my 200, I plan to replace my 200 with a larger tank early next year when I move. The new reef will probably be around 350 gallons. In addition, I an going to have a 180 FOWLR tank that will be interconnected with the reef tank, for a total 2-tank capacity of 500-550 gallons. That is why I am looking for a very large reactor, overkill even.

But I will give Mike at Precision Marine a call and see what he has to say about a custom unit.

Thanks again,
Mike Milz (posting from home)

 

[M.E.Milz]

Isn't the purpose of the 2nd stage to increase the alk. and cal. of the effluent through the additional dissolution of extra media in the 2nd chamber? And doesn't this happen because the effluent from the main reactor has a low pH?

My assumption is that there is a practical upper limit to the alk. and cal. in the effluent (I do not know if this is true). Thus, the 2nd chamber will only be of benefit if the effluent from the main reactor is less than the practical upper limit. However, perhaps the rate of flow through the main reactor can be increased, with any reduction in the concentration of the effluent from the main reactor being made up by the second reactor.

Am I making any sense here?

Mike

 

[Dewey]

If the second chamber dissolves *any* media, it would be beneficial. Correct?

 

[M.E.Milz]

Update on the comparison between the Korralin 4002 and the PM CR622. The difference between the media capacity of these two units may not really exist. The physical dimensions of the reatocr tubes are comparable. Not sure how Korralin is claiming a much larger media capacity, unless they are using heavier media.

The bottom line is that these two units are very comparable media capacity wise. They both also use the same pump (Ehiem 1250).

Thanks again,
Mike