MRC CR-1 vs. GEO 612

[cdub]

I'm in the market for a calcium reactor and these are the two that I am comparing. this is what i have so far for the positives on each one. i'm new to calcium reactors so any advice or experience you have would be greatly appreciated. for reference i have a 120 gal mixed reef with a moderate amount of sps. i also currently have a kalk reactor hooked up to my ato.

GEO
larger diameter
comes with recirc pump
package from premium is cheaper than mrc package


MRC
local
spray bar

 

[weaglereefer]

Well, I doubt you'd have a problem with an MRC product, but if you did, you could literally drive to the shop instead of having to ship it somewhere. That's worth a lot in my book.

 

[cdub]

i was looking to get one around the first of the year, but if it will be close to that i would be game to wait if the $ was right.

 

[lilrobb]

Don't look any further than MRC,

good quality has its price, and their customer service is top notch...

 

[skriz]

1. MRC uses all Spears sch. 80 parts; the best plumbing parts available (and better looking gray)
2. Spraybar makes the reactor much more efficient and allows for the use of fine media, which allows for greater surface area (more surface area = more media dissolved). Why buy a less efficient unit?
3. Reef Fanatic is garbage. MRC placed their entire reef fanatic inventory in the garbage because of the quality issues.
4. Local sponsor with an ARC discount for ARC members

There are users of both brands in this club, so you should get some good reviews for both units.

 

[acroholic]

I have owned both, and here is my 2 cents. I currently run a GEO 618 and a 612 on two different systems. I think both the GEO and the MRC line are well made, and you wouldn't go wrong with either. MRC is local and an ARC sponsor, which means a lot, IMO.

I like the built in bubble counter on the GEO. I also like the Eheim pumps they use for recirculation. As well, I like the positive locking screw on type effluent out and CO2 in plumbing fittings they use. What I don't like is the grainy, rough channel they machine into the bottom part of the reactor lid to hold the top sealing O-ring. Both my reactors leaked when first set up, and did not seal until I put silicone grease on the O-ring.

MRC has very smooth work on their O-ring channels, and they seal without the need for any grease on the ring.

And both companies have excellent customer service. I own several other MRC products besides a calcium reactor.
Dave

 

[cdub]

what do you use to feed your GEO?

 

[snowmansnow]

I was recently in the same situation.. trying to decide on an MRC or a GEO. They are both great products.

MRC DOES use higher grade pvc and such on the plumbing, but under the circumstances they are used I couldn't justify the overbuild as any sort of advantage. If it were a high pressure situation it would be different.

MRC also offers a spray bar upgrade that will make the unit more efficient (for a price). MRC offers an upgrade of a PH Probe holder, that is standard with the GEO.

pound for pound the GEO was cheaper after adding all the upgrades MRC, but didnt offer a spray bar. In conversing with ppl that owned both I never ran into anyone who had a structural issue with either. Both sides loved the product they had and claimed it was the best. Oddly I never once conversed with anyone that had owned one and then SWITCHED to the other and claimed it was better haha. Talked to around 15 or so ppl from RC about it via PM and the like.

B

B

 

[snowmansnow]

BTW .. regulator was something I kept getting held up on too... here is the one that folks claim is the best one out there. It's expensive, but suppose to be great.

 

[cdub]

that regulator sounds great, i just need the first item right?

Co2-11 AquariumPlants.com Electronic Co2 Regulator $189.99


any other advice out there?

 

[grouper therapy]

If you are going to use a ph controller with the setup. then I think the regulator above is not necessary since the bubble counter would be rendered useless for the most part. You can get a good regulator. solenoid and descent controller f or not much more $

 

[cdub]

whats the best ph controller? pinpoint or milwaukee?

 

[weaglereefer]

Wonder if you could hook up a RKL for a controller for $100 + an SL1 or SL2? And it could do other things...

 

[cdub]

i have an aquacontroller that is already hooked up to my tank. have the ph tied into my kalk reactor so if it goes over 8.5 it shuts off the ato. i had one kalk overdose and will not have another.

 

[cr500_af]

au01st;419297 wrote: Wonder if you could hook up a RKL for a controller for $100 + an SL1 or SL2? And it could do other things...

$100 plus the SL1 plus the pH probe. Since I already have the RKL, that's what I plan to do once I get the Ca reactor all sorted out and ready to go... though I think you can pick up a Milwaukee controller for about the same money as adding the pieces to the RKL.

 

[kelleyga36]

cdub;419294 wrote: whats the best ph controller? pinpoint or milwaukee?

Pinpoint is the better of the two. But Milwaukee is cheaper,and in the long run does the same thing.

 

[grouper therapy]

dawgdude;419400 wrote: I usually advise against controlling a reactor with a lower end controller. <u>They are notorious for pH and temp issues which can nuke a tank.</u></em> I would try to compartmentalize something like a Calc reactor, however that is just my opinion based on issues I have seen in the past.

Please elaborate.

 

[acroholic]

I have an American Marine and a Milwaukee pH controller. I have actually owned and used my AM unit for 13 years, only replacing pH probes when needed. I have had a couple MI controllers for 3-5 years each.

The MI units are easier to calibrate because they only measure to one decimal point. The AM unit goes to two, and unfortuately, I am anal enough to have to have the reading exact, so I can spend way too much time calibrating the AM unit, when the MI unit only takes a few minutes.

If you buy a new MI controller, do not listen to the instructions and only calibrate with pH 7 solution. The controllers have two point built into them. You access the second calibration point thru a hole in the back of the controller. I would never buy a controller with one point calibration. Too much room for error.

 

[cdub]

what does everyone use to feed their reactors?

 

[acroholic]

cdub;419449 wrote: what does everyone use to feed their reactors?

I built a manifold off my return pump, and feed from that. A small PH would work.
Dave