A few questions

[ferraridude112]

Alright i've been continuing on my 55 gallon build...got half of the price away with just the lights... and wanted to know 2 things:

First of all, is a calcium reactor really necessary for my system. In total i will probably have about 70-75 gallons in my system with the sump and wasn't sure if i should get one or not...and if i should get one, if anybody has some recommendations for a good one that would be great (Not too pricey please :thumbs

Secondly, i am really confused on the types of protein skimmers and wanted to know if anybody knew of some good skimmers out there that would work well for my system (again...not too pricey, because i went wayyyyy out of my budget for my lights)

Thanks everybody!

 

[pufferchris]

As far as skimmers go get one that is rated higher then you need I use a reef Octo 3000 int great skimmer IMO you would not need one that big buy a good skimmer the first time around so you won't have to buy it again as far as the calcium reactor what types of corals will you be keeping

 

[hud3339]

Cal reactors are forppl that dont do water changes, dont dose, or has a lot of corals that use it really fast. if u fall in as one of those ppl get one

 

[ferraridude112]

Well...ive sucked it up and im gonna plan on getting all the corals...softies lps and sps...i will change regularly but i want to put alot of corals in...not right away obviously but in a little bit

 

[gnashty]

A calcium reactor is for tanks that deplete a ton of calcium - like a havily stocked sps tank. It not only provides calcium but stability to keep a constant reading. it does more than that just thinking off the top of my head.

Mockery had a really good explanation he told me a while back but I forgot how it goes

 

[ferraridude112]

Thanks...so if i just went with dosing the tank with something what should i use and how often?
Thanks for all the advice everybody

 

[texhorns98]

Ferraridude112;521006 wrote: Thanks...so if i just went with dosing the tank with something what should i use and how often?
Thanks for all the advice everybody

IF you were to do, say a 10% water change a week AND did not have an SPS dominant tank, then I would say you wouldn't even have to dose. Of course, you need to keep any eye on your parameters as you stock. Regular water changes (not just the kind we all talk about or pretend to do) will be the key to your success.

 

[smoothie]

Calcium reactors are for people who want stable conditions for systems prodominately sps and with clams. Just starting out I would concentrate on a good salt and good test kits before that which also coincides with water changes which everyone does regardless.
As stated the octopus skimmers are GREAT average priced skimmers especially if you go new and get the bubble blaster pump with it

 

[ferraridude112]

Alright sounds good...i want one or two small clams and mainly softies but ill have a good amount of sps too. I will probably just do water changes and maybe dose every once in awhile.

About membership...i'll probably get it this week.

Thanks everybody!

 

[cr500_af]

Coming from somebody who doses, my opinion is that the best thing about a Ca reactor is that it doesn't forget. When we dose (myself included) often life gets in the way and we don't have the time, or we forget to test for a little longer than we should. As Raj has stated so often, the reactors are so that you can enjoy your tank instead of working on it.

 

[texhorns98]

You know, this hobby is funny. I've seen people who have very reactor in the world and do all kinds of "things" to their tank and I've seen people who don't dose, don't skim, and don't even use RO water. The funny part is, I've seen plenty of the former have crashes and I've seen plenty of the latter with gorgeous SPS tanks!

 

[ferraridude112]

Well i can put alot of time to the tank but i dont want to put too much money...ill plan on doing regular water changes and dosing every once in awhile...
Thanks everybody