calcium reactor purchasing and setup help/guidance

[Polyp Envy]

ive never used one of these. i really need some guidance. the big equipment forum doesnt seem to wana help a reactor newb. basically looking to learn more about ph controllers and which regulator is best, as well as jus about everything else. i am starting up a sps system. ive only kept polyps mostly to this point. ive already got the reactor itself. gonna be purchasing the rest of the necessary gear in the coming month.

really looking for advice from those with lots of knowledge and experience. ive read quite a bit, but its still a little confusing to me.

plz advise.

[frankyrivera]

I hear aquarium plants electronic co2 regulators makes one of the best

[Blitzie]

Where do you live

If your near Wallingford your welcome to see mine and I will answer any question I can

[Polyp Envy]

unfortunately im not near wallingford, but thats very generous to offer your time.

[Polyp Envy]

I hear aquarium plants electronic co2 regulators makes one of the best

appears they are 360 bucks or so. little out of range for me.

[suicideissleep]

I run a geo reactor with Milwaukee ph monitor and a cheap eBay regulator that the ph monitor turns on and off been setup a year without a problem love it and its very acculturate once tuned into where you need it I live in enfield if you wanna check it out

[MADtanks]

Franky is right, they are one of the best bc it will auto adjust itself to output the bubble count you need. With that said, i use an old school mechanical that works just fine too. The trick is not to let the input water to the reactor get clogged with detritus(the needle valve) and you will have success. I use a filter floss prefilter before the water goes into the water in on the reactor and the bubbles/drip is nice and steady. If the reactor gets clogged it tends to build pressure and eventually slows the drip on the effluent side.

You want to set it up so that your regulator is only there as an in case it lowers the PH too much, and not rely on it to turn off your co2 when the ph gets too low. Consistency is key, and can be achieved, it just take some patients and time but once its set, you forget it.

PH controller and your good to go.... honestly i didnt use a PH controller for a bit, just tested the effluent to make sure it was at a nice constant PH. Later Added the controller but controller did not do much as the reactors effluent was very consistent.

[Polyp Envy]

someone mentioned to me they use smaller particle media as it wont take as much co2 to break down, therefore your in tank ph will not drop as much when using the calrx, has anyone else observed this?

jus curious and it makes good sense

[Polyp Envy]

Franky is right, they are one of the best bc it will auto adjust itself to output the bubble count you need. With that said, i use an old school mechanical that works just fine too. The trick is not to let the input water to the reactor get clogged with detritus(the needle valve) and you will have success. I use a filter floss prefilter before the water goes into the water in on the reactor and the bubbles/drip is nice and steady. If the reactor gets clogged it tends to build pressure and eventually slows the drip on the effluent side.

You want to set it up so that your regulator is only there as an in case it lowers the PH too much, and not rely on it to turn off your co2 when the ph gets too low. Consistency is key, and can be achieved, it just take some patients and time but once its set, you forget it.

PH controller and your good to go.... honestly i didnt use a PH controller for a bit, just tested the effluent to make sure it was at a nice constant PH. Later Added the controller but controller did not do much as the reactors effluent was very consistent.

thank you for the guidance. and ive read more and they seem to be excellent regulators. who knows, maybe ill be able to swing one at some point or ebay will help me out a little. still jus considering a mechanical, im pretty good at daily maintenance.

question, the needle valve you mentioned, is this something that could easily jus be cleaned daily without afffecting operation? or would removing it and shutting the feed pump down breifly to do so, would this affect anything? cuz i wouldnt mind doing that often jus to make sure all is on the up and up.

thank you guys

[Polyp Envy]

question, the needle valve you mentioned, is this something that could easily jus be cleaned daily without afffecting operation? or would removing it and shutting the feed pump down breifly to do so, would this affect anything? cuz i wouldnt mind doing that often jus to make sure all is on the up and up.



with that thought, how about any valves or where the effluent comes out, is there any needle valves on that end? and if there is, can they be maintained regularly without disruption?

[Polyp Envy]

I hear aquarium plants electronic co2 regulators makes one of the best

is this the one your referring to?

http://www.aquariumplants.com/CarbonDoser_Electronic_Co2_Regulator_p/co2.htm

[frankyrivera]

Yup

[epstein]

I have been running a reactor for years . Im in Clinton and could show you. I strongly advise against using one without a controller. Its like putting the cart ahead of the horse. If your just starting you really dont need one.
I also dont recommend using small media . It turns to mush . As far as consumption If you use a bottle a year your fine.

Brian

[Polyp Envy]

im gonna order the aquarium plants regulator tonite or tomorrow. i have the reactor so far as well. now im looking for a solid controller if anyone has any ideas?

[suicideissleep]

Milwaukee sells one I've been using for a year no issues

[Polyp Envy]

does anyone here NOT use a controller?

[Blitzie]

Take a few moments and read this
Its a great explanation

http://www.melevsreef.com/calcium_reactor.html

[Polyp Envy]

good link thank you

[gar732]

Has anyone heard anything good or bad about the avast calcium reactor? I've been wanting to pick one up but not sure which I should get.

[Blitzie]

I use it and have had no problems at all

[gar732]

Which size did you get? I'd be eventually putting it on a 150 also, I'll have to read through your thread.

[Blitzie]

I am using the Seabones II