Should I get a cal reactor

[pbyrmartin]

Well I am at that point now where I have to decide.
I have a 150 gal tank with a volume of 170 gal
I am using b-ionic automatic doser, dosing 80 ml a day
The demand keeP going up, right now the cost is $160-$170
A year in b-ionic.
Is a cal reactor worth it

 

[hnguyen]

If your already spending that much a year on Rosing then yes it's well worth it!! A cal reactor will cost you a good bit to start up but it will save you so much in the long run. Media and co2 will last you anywhere from 6-12 months and cost little to non. You. An even sale the doser to help fund the cal reactor.


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[jhutto]

Any tank with hard corals above 90 gallons makes a Ca Reactor worthwhile. Once its set its easy and you will love not doing the daily dosing and testing. I sold my dosers and went with one.

 

[snowmansnow]

IMO.. you should keep it as simple as possible.

If your tank is chalk full of sps corals... not frags... then it may be worth it.

IMO a kalk stirrer is the way to go until your tank is really ... really mature.....

I also am of the opinion that there is a smaller margin for error on a kalk device... as long as it is set up well.

Its just my 2cents...

GL with whatever you do though!!!

B

Edit: btw.. if you GO WITH a CaRX.. make SURE you dont skimp on the regulator

Edit:

pbyrmartin;687797 wrote: Well I am at that point now where I have to decide.
I have a 150 gal tank with a volume of 170 gal
I am using b-ionic automatic doser, dosing 80 ml a day
The demand keeP going up, right now the cost is $160-$170
A year in b-ionic.
Is a cal reactor worth it

ALSO.. just dosing 2 part from www.bulkreefsupply.com will be a LOT cheaper than using actual b-ionic

B

 

[darcurr]

SnowManSnow;687810 wrote: ALSO.. just dosing 2 part from http://www.bulkreefsupply.com">www.bulkreefsupply.com</a> will be a LOT cheaper than using actual b-ionic

B[/QUOTE]

+1

I've gone this route with good sucess. Plus you can dry baking soda in the oven to supplement Alk (sodium carbonate) and save even more. I've also seen some de-icers that claims to be 100% calcium chloride, but I'm too chicken to use it.

 

[pbyrmartin]

Does bulk reef has the trace elements has b-ionic
Also the tank is fully mature 7 years

 

[skriz]

Like others have said, a calcium reactor will be much cheaper in the long run. It's also much easier: just set it up and forget about it for 3-6 months at a time.

I tried dosing when I started out. It was too much work for me and quickly bought a reactor. Definitely use a controller with one; makes it so simple to operate.

 

[acroholic]

Either will work for you. I'd decide what you motivation is for wanting one? Is it just to play with another gadget or do you think it is easier? To me it is about the same either way. If you want to play, then go for it. Maybe a used setup you can resell for what you paid if you don't like it?

But if you already have good $ tied up in a dosing system I'd probably just stick with that.

 

[dawgface]

Skriz;687845 wrote: Like others have said, a calcium reactor will be much cheaper in the long run. It's also much easier: just set it up and forget about it for 3-6 months at a time.

I tried dosing when I started out. It was too much work for me and quickly bought a reactor. Definitely use a controller with one; makes it so simple to operate.

Agreed... I'm the type of person that will spend 12 hours trying to automate something that takes 2 mins. My calcium reactor was one of the best purchases to date.

 

[acroholic]

Manual dosing could be a pain, but automated dosing is pretty simple, isnt it? OP has a automated system now, I think.

 

[pbyrmartin]

Yes it's automated, it's one of those original bionic doser it has a gravity feed container under 2 1/2 gal resovoir with two air pump.
Maybe I just need to let go, I bought this back in 2000 and got too attached to it.
But it looks like a reactor is in my near future

 

[pbyrmartin]

how are these guys, is this a good reactor

 

[hnguyen]

pbyrmartin;687918 wrote: how are these guys, is this a good reactor

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/PA-GEO612ED.html">http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/PA-GEO612ED.html</a>[/QUOTE]

IMO geo is the best cal reactor!! Built like a tank and the customer service is outstanding!! I had the geo 612 and was careless enough to break the union connection on the led. I tried to find a replacement but couldn't find a vendor that sold it. So I emailed the owner of geo and he sent me out a BRAND spanking NEW led (protective paper still on the acrylic) for free and he also shipped it for free!! I bought the reactor used so age was unknown but he never even asked. He just asked me for a picture so he can send me the right parts.

Get the geo 612 along with a reef fanatic regulator and your set. That's the combo I used with my set up and it took me about an hour to install and dial in the reactor. Oh also get a brass check valve. Those plastic ones will fail sooner or later. Doesn't matter who makes them.


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[pbyrmartin]

Hnguyen;687920 wrote: IMO geo is the best cal reactor!! Built like a tank and the customer service is outstanding!! I had the geo 612 and was careless enough to break the union connection on the led. I tried to find a replacement but couldn't find a vendor that sold it. So I emailed the owner of geo and he sent me out a BRAND spanking NEW led (protective paper still on the acrylic) for free and he also shipped it for free!! I bought the reactor used so age was unknown but he never even asked. He just asked me for a picture so he can send me the right parts.

Get the geo 612 along with a reef fanatic regulator and your set. That's the combo I used with my set up and it took me about an hour to install and dial in the reactor. Oh also get a brass check valve. Those plastic ones will fail sooner or later. Doesn't matter who makes them.


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thanks, that's very useful info

Edit:

pbyrmartin;687922 wrote: thanks, that's very useful info

this kits comes with the Milwaukee regulator

 

[skriz]

Whatever brand you decide to get, shop locally. The Lfs want and need your support. And, many keep them in stock, so you can check it out and leave with it!

Also, stay away from reef fanatic products; they're garbage. We filled a dumpster full of that crap.

 

[markgsu]

I have been pricing these out at the some LFS in the area. PureReef seems to have some of the most reasonable prices. I think they have a ReefOcto for $250, which is close enough for me to online prices. With the backing of a great store, and people I know.