Calcium Reactor Or Dose?

[reef keeper]

my new beauty large tank is almost here and I'm down to the brass tacks.

I have my lighting, pumps, etc all ready to go and now I'm down to supplements.

For a 350 gallon sps system, what would you do?

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Maybe im wrong but arent cal reactors only effective on smaller systems or am i thinking of something totally different?

 

[reef keeper]

Dunno that's why I'm asking

 

[heath]

I would contact Colin, you trust him and I think that he has tons of experience..

 

[reef keeper]

Yes. My brother from another mother Colin!

 

[Kman]

Calcium reactors are good on all sized tanks. Especially if you have a high rate at calcium usage that kalk and other calcium products don't do the trick for your usage. The benefits are you do get trace elements and alk dosed in proper ratios with calcium. With that being said I can't see you needing it in the first year anyway. Your corals need to adjust and the tank needs to cycle. So unless you get it on sale and put it aside it is not worth the tinkering to keep it running. Dosing will meet all your needs.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Calcium reactors and good on all sized tanks.

Yeah i wasnt sure i thought i read that somewhere. But it could be something else im thinking of.

 

[EricTMah]

If I had the space. I would run a CA reactor for sure.

 

[Kman]

They work great. If you have corals in full growth it is worth it. They are a pain in the ass to constantly tinker with if you don't really need it. Lots of other things in that first year to buy first.

 

[reef keeper]

Space isn't the issue. I have a dosing pump but a 225 gallon sps tank is gonna suck up the the calcium lol. I'm trying to plan and then stick to it lol

 

[EricTMah]

I'd go CA reactor.

Make plans for it in your build. But I wouldn't run it right off the bat. Exactly what @Kman said, It's better to hold off until your corals are large enough to begin to consume large amounts. Too much tinkering with it in the beginning.

I'm still on manual dosing at 15 months on this tank. I prefer it. It gives me a chance to monitor and observe the tank more often when I have to dose manually. I have a dosing system all ready to go. I'm just old school. I will move into the 21 century and automate it. But I'm just not ready yet

 

[AdInfinitum]

Yeah i wasnt sure i thought i read that somewhere. But it could be something else im thinking of.

You're thinking of a Kalk reactors probably Riley.

Nowadays dosing is much easier and pretty cost effective for smaller systems especially if you use bulk chemicals. Calcium reactors are still worth it IMO for large systems and if you are an equipment lover...

 

[heath]

off topic kinda, how many more sleeps until the tank gets here

 

[Kman]

Just in case you should get two calcium reactors. The only thing better then one calcium reactor is two.

 

[reef keeper]

I didn't hear from concept this week. I'm hoping it ships next week

 

[reeferkeeper420]

You're thinking of a Kalk reactors probably Riley.

I knew there was something lol. I was racking my brain trying to figure out what i was thinking of lol.
Sorry for the hijack, but when is it a good time to start using a Calcium reactor, you have me interested haha.

 

[AdInfinitum]

Basically when you're growth has hit the point that regular water changes can't keep up with your Ca and Alk requirements then it's time to start either 2 part or a Ca reactor.

 

[theyangman]

Calcium reactor:

Cons: Dialing these things in can be a pain in the ass if you don't know what you're doing. Expensive initial start up costs. Also they need to be dialed in EACH time your carbonate is depleted. Watch your pH.

Pros: Once it is dialed in they are great for 6 months or longer.

Doser:

Cons: 2 part additives can be pricey over the long run. Especially the easier, liquid concentrate ones like ESV, BRS powder supplements are cheap but require a little more work. Can be dangerous if somehow something screws up and dumps a few litres of either supplement into your tank.....

Pros: Easy as pie to set up and adjust. All digital for the most part. Ease of use is the premium you pay for here.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Ill probably stick with dosing personally. Seems alot easier.

 

[heath]

marine depot put a video out yesterday about dosing and gfo, looks complicated to me, I agree with you riley, when I get to that point (if I ever do) I think that I will go with manual dosing..