Highest Quality Calcium Reactor for Large Tank?

Steve175 · 02/15/2012, 05:52 AM

I have a 1500G system with 2 separate 250G displays and a 220G frag tank all packed with SPS. Believe it or not, up to now I have had very stable chemistry with a large Kalk reactor (dripping 33L of Kalk per day) and by dosing 2-part (2.4L per day of each). However, as the demand and dosing has gone up, my pH has increased (averaging a bit above 7.4 now) and I cannot get my Alk above 8.5 despite an irritating level of precipitation. I think it is time to add a Calcium reactor and have started to do some research regarding the brand and model. Will use my apex to control via pH probe. Which would/have you bought? Anyone use a Liter Meter to feed for additional control or should I just feed it off my manifold? TIA.

Elliott · 02/15/2012, 06:33 AM

well, the top of the line calcium reactor is a DaStaCo and for your system will run you about 2200 Euros

I have a Geo CR1218 which does a very good job

Steve175 · 02/15/2012, 07:52 PM

I was looking at the Geo CR1218. Anyone else have input before I pull the trigger?

TheFishTeen · 02/15/2012, 08:29 PM

Volcano has large calcium reactors, but that might just be too large.

zaheda · 02/16/2012, 01:19 AM

Schuran makes the best calcium reacters and be prepared to pay as they not cheap.

Charlene · 02/22/2013, 08:43 PM

DaStaCo appears to be in the same league with Schuran though I don't own either. I've been researching reactors and really like the controller that comes with the DaStaCo. It appears to be rock solid.
http://************.com/2011/08/25/d...lcium-reactor/

Elliott · 02/22/2013, 09:10 PM

anyone is the US sell the Dastaco reactor?

mil hse · 02/22/2013, 10:14 PM

I be got 2 buddy's that use GEO s on there tanks and they had great luck. I'm running an older MRC but it's only rated for 500-800 so you'll have to get a dual chamber but it's a good unit.

ksed · 02/23/2013, 08:25 AM

Geo. He can make custom sizes if needed. Get a secondary reactor from him as well for buffering the co2. The key to any reactor is a good regulator.

Moser · 02/23/2013, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlene

DaStaCo appears to be in the same league with Schuran though I don't own either. I've been researching reactors and really like the controller that comes with the DaStaCo. It appears to be rock solid.
http://************.com/2011/08/25/d...lcium-reactor/

I own both.

Nothing compares to the DaStaCo. It is leagues better than any other calcium reactor I have seen. Even David Saxby switched to a DaStaCo when he realised how good it was!.

Mo

Charlene · 02/23/2013, 07:14 PM

Mo. That's a ringing endorsement. What is it specifically that makes this CR so special? I'm going to pull the trigger I think. IMO the most important factors are:

* Effluent consistency
* Easy adjustment
* Easy maintenance
* Build quality
* Durability

The controller seems to be central to this device. As far as I can tell you can only buy this from H2 Aqautics in the UK but the do ship to US. Can you tell me a bit more about this thing?

7Reef · 02/23/2013, 07:26 PM

I have heard great things about Geo. I had a MRC and they also make a great product. My problem with my calcium reactor is it would always get clogged. I did not have a pre filter on it but that would probably need alot of cleaning too. I have switched to dosing alk and tank is better for it but still a labor of love.

desert's ocean · 04/24/2013, 01:14 AM

They do ship DaStaCo calcium reactors to the US, like this one e.g.

Moser · 04/24/2013, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlene

Mo. That's a ringing endorsement. What is it specifically that makes this CR so special? I'm going to pull the trigger I think. IMO the most important factors are:

* Effluent consistency
* Easy adjustment
* Easy maintenance
* Build quality
* Durability

The controller seems to be central to this device. As far as I can tell you can only buy this from H2 Aqautics in the UK but the do ship to US. Can you tell me a bit more about this thing?

Sorry for not checking back.

The DaStaCo has all of the above features.
I have a 1000G SPS tank. This reactor does not skip a beat. You don't need a pH controller, which is often a cause of failure.

In fact, you measure your alk and adjust the knob up or down, if you need more or less…. that's all!. Everything is automated and if anything isn't right, the controller gives an alarm.

It is a fantastic calcium reactor!. The two best things on my system. The DaStaCo and my Bubbleking skimmer.

Mo

aileen · 04/24/2013, 05:39 PM

That calcium reactor is HUGE! I thought my 200g was big but a 1000 g!

Elliott · 04/24/2013, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moser

Sorry for not checking back.

The DaStaCo has all of the above features.
I have a 1000G SPS tank. This reactor does not skip a beat. You don't need a pH controller, which is often a cause of failure.

In fact, you measure your alk and adjust the knob up or down, if you need more or less…. that's all!. Everything is automated and if anything isn't right, the controller gives an alarm.

It is a fantastic calcium reactor!. The two best things on my system. The DaStaCo and my Bubbleking skimmer.

Mo

can you raise Calcium without raising Alkalinity? In other words can the two be adjusted separately?

the problem I've had using a CR was the high Alk associated with it's use, could not keep it below 10

Moser · 04/25/2013, 01:36 AM

Hi, No. Calcium reactors add calcium and carbonate together and this one is no different.

I hardly ever test calcium, I just stick to keeping alk stable. If it is, the calcium doesn't vary much. My calcium sits at 500 as my ceramics use up a little more alk. My alk has been sat at 8 forever.

The controller dial goes from 0-10. I was running it flat out at 10, but there is now a new upgraded peri pump. The smaller one is 4L/ hr. The new one is 12l per hour. My reactor is now running on 4. My alk is 8….. if it runs high, you just turn it down…. simple.

Mo

Elliott · 04/25/2013, 07:38 AM

So you can set the Alk and the reactor will keep it there?

dahenley · 04/25/2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elliott

So you can set the Alk and the reactor will keep it there?

all calcium reactors are like this
you set your alk and the calcium is a bonus.

i think it was figured that for every DKH of alk, then you get 10 free calcium.

you cant adjust that ratio though. but, having a little extra calcium is no big deal. having too much ALK is a bigger deal.

dahenley · 04/25/2013, 08:57 AM

lastly, i run a MRC CR-6 reactor and it works great. i have had no problems and i have been unning it for 2 years +

another person is "Reefski" he has a commercial MRC reactor that he used to use. you might ask him what he thought. it was a dual calcium reactor. (not a single and second reactor, but a true dual chamber)

Elliott · 04/25/2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dahenley

all calcium reactors are like this
you set your alk and the calcium is a bonus.

i think it was figured that for every DKH of alk, then you get 10 free calcium.

you cant adjust that ratio though. but, having a little extra calcium is no big deal. having too much ALK is a bigger deal.

yes, however not all CR's have an Alk dial that sets it for you, the DaStaCo may be the only one, that is what my question was more directed at

Elliott · 04/25/2013, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dahenley

lastly, i run a MRC CR-6 reactor and it works great. i have had no problems and i have been unning it for 2 years +

another person is "Reefski" he has a commercial MRC reactor that he used to use. you might ask him what he thought. it was a dual calcium reactor. (not a single and second reactor, but a true dual chamber)

I've run a dual chamber CR in past, now running a GEO 1218

Adamc1303 · 04/26/2013, 12:03 AM

How can you just dial in the alk on that dial and it will keep it there? I don't get it. Alk has to do with the tanks demands.

lilise · 04/26/2013, 11:11 AM

Once you have found the good dial for your alkalanity, it will be stable. You measure it maybe once a month, then dial it a bit higher if your consumtion of alkalinity has grown up.
I got one too, excellent peace of technology.

Adamc1303 · 04/26/2013, 01:20 PM

So it basically has a very good effluent control function opposed to crappy micro valves? what site sells these in the US?

02/15/2012, 05:52 AM	#1
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,130	Highest Quality Calcium Reactor for Large Tank? I have a 1500G system with 2 separate 250G displays and a 220G frag tank all packed with SPS. Believe it or not, up to now I have had very stable chemistry with a large Kalk reactor (dripping 33L of Kalk per day) and by dosing 2-part (2.4L per day of each). However, as the demand and dosing has gone up, my pH has increased (averaging a bit above 7.4 now) and I cannot get my Alk above 8.5 despite an irritating level of precipitation. I think it is time to add a Calcium reactor and have started to do some research regarding the brand and model. Will use my apex to control via pH probe. Which would/have you bought? Anyone use a Liter Meter to feed for additional control or should I just feed it off my manifold? TIA. __________________ Steve. -------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, Deltec AP 1004 skimmer, 400W MH x4, Vortech MP40w x4, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Litremeter 2-part, & huge elec bill

02/15/2012, 06:33 AM	#2
Elliott Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,152	well, the top of the line calcium reactor is a DaStaCo and for your system will run you about 2200 Euros I have a Geo CR1218 which does a very good job __________________ Rodney Dangerfield - "I worked in a pet store and people would ask how big I would get." my tank video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oIRZsjAkZI Current Tank Info: 900g in wall mixed reef, another 400g sumps, 12 AI blue LED's, 2 CL's w/VFD's controlled pumps to 24 eductors, 2 Tunze wavebox's, 2 Barr 5220's and RK2 25PE skimmers, Emperor Aquatic UV, ozone, Apex control, 180g coral qt, 150g fish qt

02/15/2012, 07:52 PM	#3
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,130	I was looking at the Geo CR1218. Anyone else have input before I pull the trigger? __________________ Steve. -------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, Deltec AP 1004 skimmer, 400W MH x4, Vortech MP40w x4, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Litremeter 2-part, & huge elec bill

02/22/2013, 09:10 PM	#7
Elliott Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,152	anyone is the US sell the Dastaco reactor? __________________ Rodney Dangerfield - "I worked in a pet store and people would ask how big I would get." my tank video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oIRZsjAkZI Current Tank Info: 900g in wall mixed reef, another 400g sumps, 12 AI blue LED's, 2 CL's w/VFD's controlled pumps to 24 eductors, 2 Tunze wavebox's, 2 Barr 5220's and RK2 25PE skimmers, Emperor Aquatic UV, ozone, Apex control, 180g coral qt, 150g fish qt

02/22/2013, 10:14 PM	#8
mil hse just frag it Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NOR CAL Posts: 305	I be got 2 buddy's that use GEO s on there tanks and they had great luck. I'm running an older MRC but it's only rated for 500-800 so you'll have to get a dual chamber but it's a good unit. __________________ Been in this hobby since 98' Current Tank Info: 120sps w/fish room(almost finished), 65 reef, 25H nano (over 600 gallons of fun and growing), Skimz, vortex, apex, sunbright leds...all the fun stuff and a 8'x2'x2' FOWLR/reef

02/15/2012, 08:29 PM	#4
TheFishTeen Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,679	Volcano has large calcium reactors, but that might just be too large.

02/16/2012, 01:19 AM	#5
zaheda Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 676	Schuran makes the best calcium reacters and be prepared to pay as they not cheap.

02/22/2013, 08:43 PM	#6
Charlene Certified Reef Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Peoria, il Posts: 106	DaStaCo appears to be in the same league with Schuran though I don't own either. I've been researching reactors and really like the controller that comes with the DaStaCo. It appears to be rock solid. http://************.com/2011/08/25/d...lcium-reactor/

02/23/2013, 08:25 AM	#9
ksed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,228	Geo. He can make custom sizes if needed. Get a secondary reactor from him as well for buffering the co2. The key to any reactor is a good regulator.

02/23/2013, 07:14 PM	#11
Charlene Certified Reef Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Peoria, il Posts: 106	Mo. That's a ringing endorsement. What is it specifically that makes this CR so special? I'm going to pull the trigger I think. IMO the most important factors are: * Effluent consistency * Easy adjustment * Easy maintenance * Build quality * Durability The controller seems to be central to this device. As far as I can tell you can only buy this from H2 Aqautics in the UK but the do ship to US. Can you tell me a bit more about this thing?

02/23/2013, 07:26 PM	#12
7Reef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Boston Posts: 75	I have heard great things about Geo. I had a MRC and they also make a great product. My problem with my calcium reactor is it would always get clogged. I did not have a pre filter on it but that would probably need alot of cleaning too. I have switched to dosing alk and tank is better for it but still a labor of love.

04/24/2013, 05:39 PM	#15
aileen Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 60	That calcium reactor is HUGE! I thought my 200g was big but a 1000 g!

04/25/2013, 01:36 AM	#17
Moser Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,076	Hi, No. Calcium reactors add calcium and carbonate together and this one is no different. I hardly ever test calcium, I just stick to keeping alk stable. If it is, the calcium doesn't vary much. My calcium sits at 500 as my ceramics use up a little more alk. My alk has been sat at 8 forever. The controller dial goes from 0-10. I was running it flat out at 10, but there is now a new upgraded peri pump. The smaller one is 4L/ hr. The new one is 12l per hour. My reactor is now running on 4. My alk is 8….. if it runs high, you just turn it down…. simple. Mo

04/25/2013, 07:38 AM	#18
Elliott Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,152	So you can set the Alk and the reactor will keep it there? __________________ Rodney Dangerfield - "I worked in a pet store and people would ask how big I would get." my tank video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oIRZsjAkZI Current Tank Info: 900g in wall mixed reef, another 400g sumps, 12 AI blue LED's, 2 CL's w/VFD's controlled pumps to 24 eductors, 2 Tunze wavebox's, 2 Barr 5220's and RK2 25PE skimmers, Emperor Aquatic UV, ozone, Apex control, 180g coral qt, 150g fish qt

04/25/2013, 08:57 AM	#20
dahenley Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 3,083	lastly, i run a MRC CR-6 reactor and it works great. i have had no problems and i have been unning it for 2 years + another person is "Reefski" he has a commercial MRC reactor that he used to use. you might ask him what he thought. it was a dual calcium reactor. (not a single and second reactor, but a true dual chamber) __________________ Its not just my tank, its OUR tank!!! :-) 240display, reef in progress Current Tank Info: 240 display, a few frags here and there. lots of fish, and lots of watching. (230 big screen getting re-sealed and going to add to the gallonage) My wife has no clue how addicted i really am.....

04/26/2013, 12:03 AM	#23
Adamc1303 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 931	How can you just dial in the alk on that dial and it will keep it there? I don't get it. Alk has to do with the tanks demands. __________________ This hobby wouldn't be where it is today if we didn't have RC to help each other out!

04/26/2013, 11:11 AM	#24
lilise Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Belgium (Verviers) Posts: 58	Once you have found the good dial for your alkalanity, it will be stable. You measure it maybe once a month, then dial it a bit higher if your consumtion of alkalinity has grown up. I got one too, excellent peace of technology.

04/26/2013, 01:20 PM	#25
Adamc1303 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 931	So it basically has a very good effluent control function opposed to crappy micro valves? what site sells these in the US? __________________ This hobby wouldn't be where it is today if we didn't have RC to help each other out!