kalc reactor and calcium reactor (1 Viewer)

[chrisyarbrough90]

can anyone inform me what these are for and how they work..still pretty new to the sps thing and seen alot of people had them? :?

 

[hank]

They are both a means for adding calcium and alkalinity to your aquarium as they are used up by corals that grow calcium bicarbonate skeletons.

Start your reading here, and follow the links around to learn about it all.

Another: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2002/chem.htm

 

[chrisyarbrough90]

thanks il check it out

 

[jamesw]

Good advice. Both units achieve the same outcome but in very different ways. The Calcium reactor adds Ca and COP3 ions to the tank by breaking them down using carbolic acid (CO2 in water). A kalk reactor adds CaOH to the tank, and the CaOH steals CO2 out of your tank water to make Ca and OH3 ions. So the Kalk reactor will raise the pH in your tank.

Cheers
James

 

[AquaNerd]

also, kalk reactors are typically used with top off systems.

calcium reactors are used continuously.

 

[chrisyarbrough90]

so are they a must if u you have alot of corals thanks for the replies

 

[hank]

so are they a must if u you have alot of corals thanks for the replies

Nope, you can alternatively dose 2-part supplements or use calcium chloride and various buffers or do tons of water changes or simply drip kalkwasser out of a bucket (my preference currently to a kalk reactor); but they are helpful- I'm setting up a new Ca reactor tonight.

The most important thing is testing Alk and Ca (or anything else for that matter) to know what you need before you go dosing your tank or buying equipment.

 

[chrisyarbrough90]

okay i have been dosing 2 part every week but i should check my levels because i got a lot more sps recently..