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Calcium reactor (1 Viewer)

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tntdsol

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Calcium reactor vs doser? I already have a doser and have never turned it on because I have been able to maintain Alk/Cal with water changes. Recently I have been looking into calcium reactors simply because I will be upgrading to a larger tank in the next couple weeks. Advantages to calcium reactors over doser? If I do go with calcium reactor should I run it from the start? I have been in the hobby a while but reactors is one thing I am not familiar with.

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Cody

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They’re pretty simple if you get the more expensive equipment, but I can get into that later.

The biggest advantages of a reactor over two part is that they are continually dosing all day. That way your levels are pretty stable throughout the day. Also, a reactor doses more than just calcium, carbonate, or whatever specific solution you’re dosing. Because it’s dissolving dead corals, you’re putting other elements back into the water that two part isn’t. Plus, once you have a reactor dialed in, they’re very hands off.
 
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tntdsol

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They’re pretty simple if you get the more expensive equipment, but I can get into that later.

The biggest advantages of a reactor over two part is that they are continually dosing all day. That way your levels are pretty stable throughout the day. Also, a reactor doses more than just calcium, carbonate, or whatever specific solution you’re dosing. Because it’s dissolving dead corals, you’re putting other elements back into the water that two part isn’t. Plus, once you have a reactor dialed in, they’re very hands off.
Looking at 8Inch ARC.

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Bullitt519

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Only thing that sucks is in initial cost and dialing it in. You still have to monitor your tank and make small adjustments but that's only as your demand increases.
 

DwPolcyn

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Depends on your tank really, but I would just dose until the time comes where that is no longer an economical option. Then you can upgrade to a calcium reactor when the demand is high.
 

TX_Punisher

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Just installed a used PM CR622 on my 200g mostly SPS. As noted above, it does take a while to get dialed in and for (I'm guessing and have been told) CO2 to start to be absorbed and break down the reactor media. Took me a good 3 weeks to finally get it keeping up with my alk demands. I was still dosing alk and kalk during that time. Set your levels you're happy with and let the reactor maintain it. I have a Trident testing 6+ times a day so it was a huge help to dialing in the bubble count + CO2 flow through the regulator. Start with 5ml-10ml through the reactor but keep it at that. Adjust bubble count speed until your alk stays consistent (my effluent is about 24dkh) tank at 8.6-8.9. There are several ways to dial in a reactor. I lost about .2-.3 off my tank PH (i was high anyway so it worked out perfectly for me). I also dialed in my kalk reactor via my dos system. Again, using the Trident to test all day to really get my alk dailed in at 8.6 ALL day.

I can tell you my growth has increased using both kalk reactor with the calcium reactor. Stuff that was dormant for almost a year starting budding.

The only thing that stinks is filling your co2 tank depending on where you're at. Carbonics in South Houston is great for refills. Also, adding mag pellets in the reactor is a nice way to keep MG up. However, I've found they deplete much faster than calcium reactor media.
 
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tntdsol

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Thanks for all the information. I did end up getting the 8inch ARC (automatic calcium reactor). This unit is suppose to be pretty plug and play using a controller to regulate flow/CO2.

I am still in the holding phase of setting up my 120 gallon tank so it will be a couple weeks before it is up and running. I have reached out to the manufacture to get more information about proper setup and settings. I will keep everyone updated.

If there is anyone familiar with the ARC until please feel free to PM me. I would love to gather as much information as I can.



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Cody

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Update us here, please. Like we texted about the other day, I don’t personal experience with that brand, but I’m very interested in seeing how it functions.
 

Ecamden

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Depends on your tank really, but I would just dose until the time comes where that is no longer an economical option. Then you can upgrade to a calcium reactor when the demand is high.
That's what I did. Once I was dosing over 150mL of cal and all daily it became more cost effective to go the Ca Rx route. Definitely worth the investment in my opinion
 

TX_Punisher

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The ARC’s seems nice. CNC PVC and not acrylic. Customer service, wait times, and directions leave something to be desired from what I’ve heard.
 
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