Calc Reactors Good, Bad......

[ReeferRob]

So Andy from the Blue Glow came by last night and got the wheels turning on picking myself up a Calc Reactor.

Looking to do some reading and learning so hit me with a link or two!!

Also curious to hear you opinions on the reactor concept in general. Ease of use, brand opinions etc.

Letter rip!!
Thanks

[henry hill]

Geo all the Way!! Never had a single issue with mine when the 90 was running. Very simple to set up. Even Pete could figure it out! I think he might even still have one that he never set up.

[ReeferRob]

What exactly do I need? pH probe, co2 tank, and reactor? What else? Never looked into these at all.

[henry hill]

Reactor (Nothing but Geo) LOL
Ph controller
Tank
Co2 Regulator W/Solenoid.
Media

Talk to Pete if you can get a hold of him. I think he has most of this that he planned on using but then never did for some reason. I know I h=got him a tank and he had a Geo.

[ReeferRob]

Ya, I'll try. Think he fell butt first into the same sand box Marc did.:redneck:

[Gymnothorax]

I still like the Pro Cal by MTC (Marine Technical Concepts). They also make a Mini Cal. I prefer the two chamber Reactors over the reverse flow or conventional one chamber reactors. They better absorb the excess CO2 and also raise the alkalinity and ph of the effluent water better. Maybe ask Todd from Cherry Corals his opinion because I know he has used both a MTC and Geo Reactor in the past.

Ken

[stunreefer]

IMHO it's another point of failure. Not saying they will... but they can ;)

[jimsflies]

I had one on my 50 gallon (Koralin) ...plan on cleaning it up and selling soon. I'm going back to basics a on the smaller tank for now.

[henry hill]

I had one on my 50 gallon (Koralin) ...plan on cleaning it up and selling soon. I'm going back to basics a on the smaller tank for now.Back to clean and BASIC!!

[AZDesertRat]

I couldn't imagine a SPS dominated system without one, dosing is a PITA in my opinion and thats why I switched.
My reatcor is a ebay special (Acrylic City) and I would not recommend it but I would go Geo if I were to get a new one.
His directions on setting up a reactor are very easy to follow too.
http://www.geosreef.com/CR612.html

I had great success using a Milwaukee SMS-122 pH controller but 9 months ago decided to reduce the amount of clutter under my stand so bought a Reefkeeper Lite L3 and now run the reactor off its pH probe.

[Manoj's Reef]

I stayed away from it because I felt it was complex compared to dosing via pump.

[AZDesertRat]

Its a bit of work to get the reactor balanced in the beginning, most of us approach it too fast and we all know nothing good happens quickly with a reef system, all good things take time.
The key is to get the calcium and alkalinity to the correct levels via dosing or some other form first the slowly bring the reactor on line so it maintains those present levels. Make only one adjustment or change at a time, like upping the drip rate or bubble count, and monitor it for 24 hours before adjusting anything else. Like others, I tried to do too many things at once and it fouls things up. Approach it slowly and it will function great.