help me choose a calcium reactor

[Bucktronix]

ok the time has almost come that i think i need a calcium reactor. well im sick of low calcium levels all the time anyway.

i have no idea what makes a good reactor and what doesn't, im not even sure what all i need. if anyone who has gone through this and could pass on some advice that would be swell.

i have a 90 gallon tank with and eco sump and no skimmer, i currently just add kalk to my ro water, but i don't get much evaporation so the levels stay at around 380

i did look at the precision marine ones, they look nice, but i guess that doesn't really make a good reactor does it?

oh ive heard that some people run a calcium reactor and still dose kalk, why is this?

tia

 

[Mouse]

For that size tank i would go with the little Knop calcium reactor. I have one and im very happy with it, needs the occasional bleed but thats it.

 

[rotorh60]

I use the K2R on my 225, and quite pleased with its performance. I also drip kalkwasser with my topoff water. I do it for two reasons. Helps prevent large ph drops over night (currently avg 8.1 night, 8.5 day), and it precipitates the phosphates that comes from the dissolved reactor media. My calcium levels run 475-500ppm, and my corals and corraline are growing/spreading like weeds. I have been running this setup for over 2 years with no problems whatsoever. HTH

 

[npaden]

I would look into one of the hobbyists who are making reactors. George Weber (aka Geo) and Andy Diass (aka Myreef) are just a few of many. They have tried and true products, and because they make them individually by had they can incorporate new features as they are discovered.

I think you would be happy with either one of them and they are making very nice reactors that compete with or surpass the performance of pretty much any of the name brand reactors on the market.

The best thing about them though is the price. I think they are in the range of $100 - $300 depending on size and features you are looking for. A very nice reactor can be purchased from either of these guys for around $150.

Do a search on the board for Geo or Myreef and see what others have to say. Both of them also make skimmers that you can't go wrong with either.

Good luck, Nathan

 

[Bucktronix]

thanks for your comments

anyone else had good or bad experances with any other reactors?

 

[reefnut1]

Hi I have a K2R. Very pleased have used it for 4 yrs now. Alls been Good. I have had to replace the CO2 Reg.