|
12/23/2017, 05:11 PM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Oakville, CT
Posts: 165
|
Calcium reactor recommendations
Looking for recommendations on the best Ca reactor and media and what Ph controllers are the best.
For roughly 500 gallons. Something that’s easy to use. Thanks and Merry Xmas everyone. |
12/23/2017, 06:39 PM | #2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
|
LeslieS88,
I would say a GEO with a 2nd chamber. I would also say Read This: reefdiesyst.com Controllers are really not a necessity but a good regulator is. Many use reborn by 2 Little Fishies.
__________________
250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps. |
12/23/2017, 07:42 PM | #3 | |
Proud user of IO Salt!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 9,136
|
Quote:
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
__________________
Mike <*)))>{ <*)))>{ <*)))>{ <*)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 60*30*20, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1 |
|
12/23/2017, 08:23 PM | #4 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Oakville, CT
Posts: 165
|
Vinny, thanks that link didn’t work.
Mike, I was thinking about this regulator https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/carbo...lant-life.html |
12/23/2017, 09:16 PM | #5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
|
__________________
250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps. |
12/23/2017, 09:28 PM | #6 |
Grizzled & Cynical
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 17,319
|
Best is somewhat subjective; I think there are many contenders. My personal favorite is the MTC ProCal. Hard to find a better built unit ..... been running mine since 1997.
__________________
Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
12/23/2017, 10:40 PM | #7 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 543
|
|
12/24/2017, 12:34 AM | #8 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
|
Any high quality reactor fed with a masterflex continuous duty peristaltic pump and a two stage regujlator w/carbon doser add on box.
105 pages but if you read my first few pumps I explain why it works so well. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2368618
__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k. |
12/24/2017, 01:39 AM | #9 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 6,499
|
Love those masterflex makes running a carx so easy.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
12/24/2017, 02:28 PM | #10 |
Dogmatic Dinosaur
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 6,256
|
Reverse flow with an Ehiem pump are about my only real requirements anymore.
I run Korallin Reactors, any regulator with a CarbonDoser bubble box, mainline T for feed and medium grade ARM. |
12/24/2017, 03:28 PM | #11 | |
Moved On
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: auburn CA
Posts: 4,021
|
Quote:
Not designed for what you will be doing, you will be 1-2 bpm or under. The ones GEO offers work great I'm a decade in on original equipment and no reason to upgrade. The key here in context is not finding the best, just stay away from cheap garbage and you will be just fine |
|
12/24/2017, 07:40 PM | #12 | |
Proud user of IO Salt!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 9,136
|
Quote:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2461771 Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
__________________
Mike <*)))>{ <*)))>{ <*)))>{ <*)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 60*30*20, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1 |
|
12/24/2017, 08:43 PM | #13 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
|
Quote:
__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k. |
|
12/25/2017, 01:06 AM | #14 |
Moved On
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: auburn CA
Posts: 4,021
|
I'm sure it does, my point was its too much money for a little finer bubble control.
the 99 dollar Milwaukee regulator works just as good IMHO for a calcium reactor. Mine is a decade old, works easy and perfect. I like the easy method for setting up effluent at just past a steady drip, then using about 40 BPM to start and then keep measuring tank for alk stability. raising bubble count if needed. |
12/26/2017, 09:23 PM | #15 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 57
|
first things first.... lets talk regulator.....
the planted aquarium regulator is the best in business.... and hasn't failed me yet and is highly recommended... the reactor should be a dual chamber that will help reduce the CO from getting into your tank and dropping your PH... i personllly use the CRO 5000D from reef octopus |
12/26/2017, 11:06 PM | #16 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 6,499
|
I have a stainless steel dual stage regulator by Alan Le and a aquamaxx carx and I like that I can disconnect the pump for maintenance without needing to purge the whole reactor of liquid.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
12/27/2017, 05:56 AM | #17 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Oakville, CT
Posts: 165
|
Well, I’m definitely going with the AP regulator. Either a geo or octopus reactor.
|
12/27/2017, 11:39 AM | #18 | |
Proud user of IO Salt!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 9,136
|
Quote:
__________________
Mike <*)))>{ <*)))>{ <*)))>{ <*)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 60*30*20, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1 |
|
12/27/2017, 12:50 PM | #19 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 57
|
In addition to the regulator. What controller are you using to control the regulator ?
|
12/27/2017, 01:22 PM | #20 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Miller Place, NY
Posts: 7,206
|
Controllers are not needed for the regulator, they are stand alone units.
__________________
250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps. |
12/27/2017, 01:53 PM | #21 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Prince Albert, Canada
Posts: 18
|
What’s the best model materflex pump to run
|
12/27/2017, 02:44 PM | #22 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 6,499
|
Any that does 0.6-600 rpm would work.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
12/27/2017, 03:25 PM | #23 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dewitt MI
Posts: 5,051
|
Best regulator set up
I really like my Reef Octopus reactor. I have a 180 gallon tank and use up 2+ dKH per day and it keeps up. And a Cole Parmer pump. And you thought this was going to be cheap
__________________
Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels |
12/27/2017, 03:31 PM | #24 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Austin
Posts: 801
|
late to the party
I use a DYI set up Smith / Milwaukee / Do not remember the bubble counter manufacturer Works great with my GEO reactor. https://store.cyberweld.com/smco2re30sem.html https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Ins.../dp/B00I47XIX2 |
12/27/2017, 03:34 PM | #25 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
|
A 6 to 600rpm unit is best. Brush less is preferred and is quiet. A brushed unit is fine if noise isn't a concern. You want a pump head that accepts ls17 size tubing.
__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k. |
|
|