I have been managing my dosing with a Magic Marine three head dosing pump for the last couple years, which has worked fine, but want to switch to a calcium reactor that will be a bit more consistent and reliable. I'm looking to buy a used calcium reactor rated for a 300-400 gallon system, something like a Geo 618 or a Skimz cm152. I will be running it with an Apex that I just bought.:smile: Also if anyone has any recommendations/ warnings/ advice on models I would appreciate it as this will be my first calcium reactor.
WTB Calcium Reactor
- Thread starter BrianH
- Start date
I dont have a reactor to sell, but let me know when you get one and I can give you example codes to control and sense problems with the reactor.
Side note, I would highly reccomend getting the aquarium plants CO2 doser over a standard regulator and needle valve if you cam afford it. Best regulator on the market.
Side note, I would highly reccomend getting the aquarium plants CO2 doser over a standard regulator and needle valve if you cam afford it. Best regulator on the market.
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Reverse flow, ehiem pump are good. Models that trap CO2 are best, but not required. Reactors are the easy part.
Regulator is where the rubber meets the road. Carbon Doser is really good. M3 and Pinpoint are pretty good. Get a GOOD (did I say GOOD?) check valve because saltwater will rust up your expensive new regulator.
Natural media like ARM is easy to melt and has strontium, magnesium and other trace elements in it. It is phosphate free - don't listen to anybody tell you otherwise. You can get man-made media, but you will need to add dolomite to get a bit of magnesium and it takes pretty low PH to melt it - you won't get the other trace elements with the man made stuff. My recommendation is the ARM medium grade stuff - the large stuff is too hard to melt and the small clogs a bit, but is still better than the large.
The things are easy to tune mechanically, and you have to do it anyway. If you decide to use PH function on a controller, this is for you and not so much the reactor. I can set them and only check them like ever 5 or 6 months - they do need turned up as your stuff grows. I have never had a controller and have been running a CaRx nonstop since 1999 when I got my first Korallin (which I still have and the Ehiem pump is still running).
You will also have to figure out a way to feed it. Many have used maxijets with great success for years and years. Dosing pumps will work OK too if they will push enough. I am currently using T off of the main line for both of my tanks.
Regulator is where the rubber meets the road. Carbon Doser is really good. M3 and Pinpoint are pretty good. Get a GOOD (did I say GOOD?) check valve because saltwater will rust up your expensive new regulator.
Natural media like ARM is easy to melt and has strontium, magnesium and other trace elements in it. It is phosphate free - don't listen to anybody tell you otherwise. You can get man-made media, but you will need to add dolomite to get a bit of magnesium and it takes pretty low PH to melt it - you won't get the other trace elements with the man made stuff. My recommendation is the ARM medium grade stuff - the large stuff is too hard to melt and the small clogs a bit, but is still better than the large.
The things are easy to tune mechanically, and you have to do it anyway. If you decide to use PH function on a controller, this is for you and not so much the reactor. I can set them and only check them like ever 5 or 6 months - they do need turned up as your stuff grows. I have never had a controller and have been running a CaRx nonstop since 1999 when I got my first Korallin (which I still have and the Ehiem pump is still running).
You will also have to figure out a way to feed it. Many have used maxijets with great success for years and years. Dosing pumps will work OK too if they will push enough. I am currently using T off of the main line for both of my tanks.
Do you mean a brass one like this: http://www.amazon.com/Brass-Check-V...id=1426174062&sr=1-2&keywords=check+valve+co2 Thanks for all the good info from your experiences.
One of these guys: http://www.marinedepot.com/Dennerle..._for_Aquariums-Dennerle-DE1111-FICOCV-vi.html
Me and Doug were just talking about this in PM's
sethsolomon;344667 said:
One of these guys: http://www.marinedepot.com/Dennerle..._for_Aquariums-Dennerle-DE1111-FICOCV-vi.html
Me and Doug were just talking about this in PM's
Me and Doug were just talking about this in PM's