Sump, calcium reactor, protein skimmer ?

[Shaemus]

I want to start a sps tank, and i'm interested in creating a sump with protein skimmer, calcium reactor and R/O, is this possible. I have a 67 gal and i was thinking of getting 27 gal sump if that helps. Do you think i need a calcium reactor for my size tank, i heard they are good in the long term, any thoughts. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Shaemus

 

[Len]

Hi Shaemus,

Sure, it's possible. The protein skimmer will likely sit in the sump, and a 27 is big enough. The Ca reactor will sit outside the sump and is a nice addition to keep Ca, alk, pH, and trace elements at proper levels. There are other ways to do this, such as two part solutions (B-ionic, C-balance, twopartsolutions.com, etc.) or frequent water changes. But a Ca + CO2 reactor is probably the most automated way. It's not cheap though

 

[SnowManSnow]

the ca reactors are a "tinker" man's dream!

i dont have one... but it would sure be cool to have all those valves and slick gadgets in there!

b

 

[aquarius77]

A calcium reactors effluents pH is dangerously low, the reactor media wont disolve until the ph reaches something like 6.7 inside the reactor. Co2 is used to achieve the low pH. Calcium reactors do not keep a stable pH, they in fact can lower the tanks pH to lethal levels. Alot of people will drip Kalkwasser along with running a reactor in an effort to bring the pH up and help keep it there. You can also put an airstone into a rubbermaid tub(or something similar) and have the reactor flow into that first and then flow into the tanks sump. Bubbling the effluent will drive off the Co2 and will naturally raise the ph.