Upgrading Need Opinions

[sucio_reefer]

So I'm working on upgrading to a 140g tank and needs some opinions on which way to go on two items. First of reactors. Originally i was going to go with a calc reactor but recently was told about the BRS 2 part dosing system. I'm not too familiar with the BRS Dosing. On my Pico i do the Part A/Part B dosing n assume it's the same concept but would like to get some feedback from ppl using both systems to compare results to see which is a better way to go.

Second question is controllers. Apex? Reefkeeper? same questions pretty much which is a better system or is it just preference.

Thanks for any help.

 

[jhutto]

I would go with a ca reactor for a tank that size if you are going to keep sps/lps corals that need the calcium. Once you get it set you are set. I tired dosing on a forty breeder and it was a pain. I have a reef keeper and it is fine but seems like most like the APEX.

 

[gthockey18]

As the water volume gets larger it makes more and more sense to go with a calcium reactor. I ran a Bubble Magus triple autodoser on my 3 smaller tanks (65, 34 and 40gal) but swapped to a calcium reactor the MRC CR2 on my 210gal. You'll end up spending more in the long run with a doser with a lager water volume. That being said the doser has a lower entry cost ~$300-350 where a calcium reactor is going to be $500+. Get a nice one on here used and save yourself money. If you have any thoughts of going larger than 140 in the future, invest in the calcium reactor.

As far as the controller goes. Most people will probably tell you the Apex and Reefkeeper Elite are about the same functionality wise. When I was speaking to Scott at Aquarium Specialty recently about ordering some probes for a buddy's RKE he told me he sells 100 Apex's to every RKE now. So that gives you an idea of what others are buying. Personally, I own an Apex with the WXM and VDM modules and love the way everything is integrated. It's easy to setup and use, has the iPhone app, controls the AI LEDs, Vortech Powerheads and everything else. I have no complaints.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[edulover]

gthockey18;746441 wrote: Personally, I own an Apex with the WXM and VDM modules and love the way everything is integrated.

Jonathan,

What's the VDM module?

 

[sucio_reefer]

Thanks for the info. Off hand do you know if the iphoen app is exclusive to apex or does reefkeeper have one as well?

 

[cbj25]

Edulover;746480 wrote: Jonathan,

What's the VDM module?

variable speed/dimming module. I believe the base unit has two of these built in. most common application is for AI leds