do I have to use a calcium reactor?

[bueller]

Hey everyone,

do I have to use a calcium reactor if I want to keep sps corals or clams. I really don't want a co2 tank in my dining room. any advice is greatly appreciated.

Bueller

 

[qy7400]

The other choices I know of are manually via B-Ionic (or similar) which may cost more or drip kalc via your top-off.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

you dont have to use a calcium reactor... but it makes dosing calcium alot easier... i choose to use randys 2 part and kalk.... my tank is lookin noiceeeeeeeee....

 

[Deanos]

Dosing Poll

 

[loismustdie]

I had a calcium reactor. I decided to switch to the Randy 2 part and an aquamedic dosing pump. Much cheaper and my corals are growing at a rate that would make me consider that calcium reactors can't touch what i got going on right now. Who knew... Icemelt and baking soda?

 

[reefman]

i've been hearing about this Randy 2 part but was a bit hesitate on anything that has to do with baking. i may have to reconsider.:lol: r there any fool proof instructions for fools like me?

 

[PVsPlayhouse]

[FONT=Arial,sans-serif]I would like to know as well. I use to add Kent Calc to my Top off which is a 45gl bucket I have in my attic that feeds into my tank. That worked but was still a little off. I want to know is there anything I can add to my RO/DI water for Calc and Alk.

This is my set up. I have a 45gl Rubbermaid pal in my attic that feeds to my Kalk reactor then to my tank when tank needs more water.[/FONT]

 

[loismustdie]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#4
Recipe for Randy 2 part. There is also the recipe for a 3rd part which is a magnesium supplement. I have mixed it and set it aside, but I have never had to dose it since my Mag has seemed to keep itself in acceptible ranges.
Some guys think that adding equal amounts of the 2 part is the right way to go to achieve balance, but that is not the case. On a 180, I'm dosing 25ml per day to keep my calcium at 450ppm and 100ml per day of the alkalinity portion to maintain 10.5dKh.
My advice is to test pretty much every day for the first couple of weeks before and after you dose. This will help you find that "sweet spot" you need to maintain balance in your tank. After that, Monthly tests will help you figure out how to compensate for growth. Also, make sure you've got a good and calibrated refractometer, since the calcium portion can effect your salinity.

 

[PVsPlayhouse]

[FONT=Arial,sans-serif]What effect will my Kalk reactor have on this?
Is this better then using ESV 2 part?

I was thinking about adding Vinegar to my RO/DI Bucket I have so the Kalk reactor will mix the RO/DI water and Vinegar when the top off goes off. I read that helps keep Calc and Alk higher because the Vinegar helps break down the Kalk more. Still reading about it and not sure what Im going to do.[/FONT]

 

[loismustdie]

I've never used ESV, so I cannot make a fair comparison. It blew my calcium reactor, C-Balance and Kent Marine 2 part. As for your reactor, I would guess you would have to more closely monitor your alk.
The last part on adding vinegar... I've never heard of that. Please post the links you are reading on this topic so we can check it out.

 

[PVsPlayhouse]

I've never used ESV, so I cannot make a fair comparison. It blew my calcium reactor, C-Balance and Kent Marine 2 part. As for your reactor, I would guess you would have to more closely monitor your alk.
The last part on adding vinegar... I've never heard of that. Please post the links you are reading on this topic so we can check it out.

http://www.reefscapes.net/articles/breefcase/kalkwasser.html

this is one of them. There is a whole bunch but this one explains the best IMO.