calcium reactor monitors

[fsu230263]

I'm in the process of buying calcium reactor , I'm undecided on a GEO 618 OR MRC CR1 , Also buying a monitors I'm thinking of APEX or ReefKeeper Elite v2 . My system is a 210gal w/sump , 2 mp40 , 3 LumenBrite mh250 , Reef Octopus® 8″ Pinwheel Skimmer , 2 PhosBan Reactor 550 GFO & the other one carbon , & return pump Coralife Turbo-Sea . I know I have to have a co2 tank , CO2 Regulator with Solenoid Valve , Bubble Counter , Co2 Check Valve & Tubing , I'll like to know your thoughts & opinion on the items & other things I might need ,So I hope you can point me in the right direction , beside this will be my first time going this route lol !

P.S pic. of your system would be great if you have any of this items

 

[jj ocean]

After doing a lot of research, GEO & MRC was what my short list came down to for my calcium reactor purchase. I think you would be happy with either.

The one item I'd look to add to the list would be a Ph controller for your calcium reactor. You can run w/o one, but I wouldn't recommend it. You could purchase a stand alone unit or as part of the controller buy that you referenced. If you went with Apex, you need to get the PM1 expansion module to add a second Ph probe. Not sure what you need to do with RK.

 

[dine]

apex all the way for the controller and in general i like to support mrc

 

[fsu230263]

come on guys , I hear alot of talk in the club about these items , I'm sure there's more info & experience user lol

 

[thanh386]

That's a very broad question you have. I have a 618 I am currently using. It hasn't clogged on me and I don't mind it being a single chamber. I have a 250g display with a 70 g fuge/sump. My tank is sps dominate, and I sustain a 460 calcium lvl , and a 1380 mag. I use a jbj regulator ( I think it's crap) . I filled the chamber June of last year, I still have over half with the current settings. Overall ibam very satisfied.

I was going with MRC because of the local part, but was very dissatisfied with some issues. The issues was never resolved so I didn't use them for anything for some time. I recently purchased a few of their media reactor and have been satisfied with it. Quality is top notched.

If MRC is a consideration, talk to SEA and they can explain it better than myself. As with a geo 618 , you're welcome to come look at mine. I have a 612 as well

 

[skriz]

fsu230263;732345 wrote: I'm in the process of buying calcium reactor , I'm undecided on a GEO 618 OR MRC CR1 , Also buying a monitors I'm thinking of APEX or ReefKeeper Elite v2 . My system is a 210gal w/sump , 2 mp40 , 3 LumenBrite mh250 , Reef Octopus® 8″ Pinwheel Skimmer , 2 PhosBan Reactor 550 GFO & the other one carbon , & return pump Coralife Turbo-Sea . I know I have to have a co2 tank , CO2 Regulator with Solenoid Valve , Bubble Counter , Co2 Check Valve & Tubing , I'll like to know your thoughts & opinion on the items & other things I might need ,So I hope you can point me in the right direction , beside this will be my first time going this route lol !

P.S pic. of your system would be great if you have any of this items

CA reactor: MRC all the way!
Apex
Lumembright: save some $ here:

 

[fsu230263]

Thanh386 , what cause them to clog , & how can you keep them from clogging

& guys what is ORP probe & purpose ?

 

[jj ocean]

fsu230263;732397 wrote: come on guys , I hear alot of talk in the club about these items , I'm sure there's more info & experience user lol

What's your specific question?

If you are asking what equipment others are running, my setup is a MRC CR4, MRC Kalk reactor, LiterMeter dosing pumps, media reactors, algae scrubber, 3 skimmers (MRC Orca Pro2, AquaC EV240 & EV180), Reeflo Hammerhead pump, 6 vortechs (MP40s & MP10s), 1/2hp tradewinds chiller, AquaUV 114w, Ozotech OZ4, AI LEDs ... all running off a full Apex setup (VDM, WXM & breakout box for ATO and overflow switches) on 600g system.

There's a lot of good info and folks on the board ... the more specific the question, the easier to answer.

Edit: Most common monitoring of ORP is to control ozone injection. Over 425 ORP - turn off ozone.

 

[thanh386]

I had huge clogging issues with my korallen (sp) . The output tube kept getting build up . I haven't heard of this problem with either MRC or GEO.

 

[schwaggs]

+1 on the pH controller for the ca reactor. Also, if you get the full Apex (not the lite or Jr) it comes with 2 probe ports so you can measure CA reactor and tank pH at the same time. The lite only comes with 1 port and the Jr doesn't have any so they need to be added with PM1 modules.

 

[cr500_af]

Just to clarify to the OP, you don't NEED a tank controller to run a CA reactor (though it will be the best $$ you ever spent). A pH controller will be enough. I am not running a CA reactor now, but have an MRC CR-5 for my new build. I'm about to Frankenstein a no-name calcium reactor I paid ten bucks for to be the second chamber.

 

[fsu230263]

thanks everyone for all input , I will keep you updated

 

[lilrobb]

Schwaggs;732533 wrote: +1 on the pH controller for the ca reactor. Also, if you get the full Apex (not the lite or Jr) it comes with 2 probe ports so you can measure CA reactor and tank pH at the same time. The lite only comes with 1 port and the Jr doesn't have any so they need to be added with PM1 modules.

But isn't one set to be ORP on the standard ports?

 

[jj ocean]

126 reef;733044 wrote: ^ +1. When I bought my milwakee controller for my calc reactor I jut set up, I asked around nd scoured the internet for a dual PH control to moniyor inside the reactor as well as tank PH incase it dropped to low it could turn off the C02. Since I could not find one ( everything was ph and orp) I have just orderd a reefkeeper lite 3 for the extra ph monitor as well as all of the other functions.

Correct, on the base Apex the 2 ports comes labeled as Ph & ORP. I use/need ORP, so I never bothered attempting to configure the ORP port to a second Ph, but you can use the ORP port as a second Ph port.

What I know can be done is that if you buy the PM1 (probe expansion module), you can use 1 of those 2 ports as a second Ph port for your Ca Reactor. The other one could be conductivity. Runs like $75 bucks. I had a American Marine Ph controller before I got my Apex, so I never bothered with the PM1. If/when it dies - I will buy a PM1 though.

 

[schwaggs]

LilRobb;733004 wrote: But isn't one set to be ORP on the standard ports?

That is the standard config but all pH and ORP ports on the Apex base module and the PM1 can be configured as either pH or ORP.