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Unread 04/24/2018, 07:57 PM   #1
ReefPharmer
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No water changes w Calcium Reactor?

Hey guys/gals,
I am familiar with the different no water change systems out there that incorporate the balling method. Due to the size of my tank (300gallons), these systems are too pricy. I am running a calcium reactor with some magnesium in it for supplementation. My question is as follows:

Can you run a successful sps tank w a calcium reactor with no water changes? I have a fair sized chaeto and my NO3/PO4 are within range. My concern is micro elements etc that may not be present in calcium media. For example, I randomly checked K and it was 330. I dosed it back up.

If there are elements missing from the regular reactor use (not including Mg), what’s a good way to supplement?

Thanks!


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Unread 04/24/2018, 10:21 PM   #2
bertoni
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Personally, I would keep up a water change schedule of 10% per month, but a lot of people hate doing them. Some people are successful with them, at least for some period of time. This article might help:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php


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Unread 04/25/2018, 12:18 AM   #3
ReefPharmer
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I actually have it automated but the salt I have is instant ocean regular and it mixes on the low end of the element scale. For some reason I got 8 boxes of it... 🤦🏻*♂️

Reason I wanted to go to no water changes is it seems easier and would theoretically save me money in salt/RO replacement.


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Unread 04/25/2018, 06:07 AM   #4
mcgyvr
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In general the basic answer is yes its possible.. But its usually not recommended...
To me its one of those "Those that can.. don't need to ask if its possible.." things

There are some that have done it using techniques like Glenn has with DSR
http://www.dsrreefing.nl/
FarmerTy has ran systems for years.
Quite a few others..

Many have tried.. Some have succeeded.. Many have failed


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Unread 04/25/2018, 06:11 AM   #5
ReefPharmer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgyvr View Post
In general the basic answer is yes its possible.. But its usually not recommended...
To me its one of those "Those that can.. don't need to ask if its possible.." things

There are some that have done it using techniques like Glenn has with DSR
http://www.dsrreefing.nl/
FarmerTy has ran systems for years.
Quite a few others..

Many have tried.. Some have succeeded.. Many have failed


Tehehe I see what you are saying. If I was doing the balling method variant, it would be easier to figure since what goes into the tank is exactly what I put into it. I don’t know exactly what comes out of the melted media which is why I am asking.


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Unread 04/25/2018, 06:12 AM   #6
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I’m in the failed department. Can’t rationalize why. Just doesn’t work for me.


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Unread 04/25/2018, 08:46 AM   #7
sde1500
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IIRC FarmerTY uses calcium reactor for his no water change set up. GlennF's method is much more intricate.


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Unread 04/25/2018, 09:42 AM   #8
tmz
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There is no universal read on minor and trace elements in calcium reactor media or in salt mixes as far as I know. Small frequent water changes with most salt mixes should handle it; it has for me for over a decade with Coralife salt.


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Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.
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Unread 04/25/2018, 09:52 AM   #9
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I’d love to see an ICP analysis of reborn effluent to clear up the mystery of exactly what trace elements or supplements


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Unread 04/25/2018, 10:16 AM   #10
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The characteristics of the reactor effluent would reflect the media, and media likely will vary significantly. I don't think it's an issue as long as the media doesn't have a lot of phosphate, which seems rare these days.


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Unread 04/25/2018, 11:36 AM   #11
ReefPharmer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bertoni View Post
The characteristics of the reactor effluent would reflect the media, and media likely will vary significantly. I don't think it's an issue as long as the media doesn't have a lot of phosphate, which seems rare these days.


I am using reborn media. It shouldn’t have a lot of phos and my tank doesn’t have much phosphate even w large tangs. I was doing 1% (3 gallon water change daily but it became a haste to make water for it and the topoff. I seem to go through DI resin very quickly (water comes out around 4-6tds from membrane and I do flush before and after use). This is what drove me to consider alternatives.


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Unread 04/25/2018, 12:08 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ReefPharmer View Post
I seem to go through DI resin very quickly (water comes out around 4-6tds from membrane and I do flush before and after use).
Checked for CO2? well water?
oh wait.. LA.. Do you guys even know what a well is?


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Unread 04/25/2018, 12:11 PM   #13
ReefPharmer
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Yes I am familiar w well. It usually goes like this : “well... is my bill going to be 400 or 500 this time?”


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Unread 04/25/2018, 05:22 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ReefPharmer View Post
Yes I am familiar w well. It usually goes like this : “well... is my bill going to be 400 or 500 this time?”
nice


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