Calcium Reactors Im stumped

Ok, so the title pretty much says it. I mean I know the benefits of a tank with a constant chemistry thats pretty obvious. Currently I'm 2(3)-part dosing and I have a pretty large system (maybe 150g total water volume) so swings are gradual, but Im considering this next technically and financially daunting facet of the hobby. My questions are many so I'll just number them and please any feedback is as always, much appreciated.

1.) What all components are required? CO2 tank, solenoid valve
2.) Does a calcium reactor control Ca and Alk? (sorry if thats obvious)
3.) Good brands and different prices for my setup? Mainly SPS and LPS
4.) Maintainence required?
5.) Potential Problems?
6.) Operating cost? Media, tank refills

I'm sure there's more but I'll stop there for now.

 

Bump from my wifes new iPhone which is cool. I know it's a tough subject

 

i am also confused

i read all this great info
http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemistry/2-part-dosing-vs-reactors-74496.html

but still am kinda stumped.

for what its worth i think i have decided to go with 2 part dosing. hahaha im not really even sure why. probably cause of start up costs. i also really liked the bulk reef supply TV;D

 

I use Oceanic Salt and my Ca stays at 480-500...No dosing at all!!!

 

yeah i stay at about 420 with instant ocean. about 25% a month. somtimes 10 percent in a 2 week period

but i also only have 2 LPS, large zoa colony, and just recently added a montipora

 

You will not have a lot of problems controlling your params with the corals you currently have. Just not a large enough load to put demands on your params with your water change regime.

 

Have you thought about kalkwasser? It's alot cheaper alternative especially if you dont have a ton of sps and clams a calcium reactor isn't necessary imo.

 

Ive used kalk and actually still have some. I am having success with the DIY two-part dosing method but Im leaving in June for a week and someone else will be watching the tank :-X so I was a considering a more "set it and forget it" approach. Also I saw someone comment, either Tangster or Otty, that its difficult to maintain SPS without one. I currently have 5 SPS frags and 2 clams and plan on several more SPS and prob 1 more clam. I also just added an Elegance, I have the huge Bubble, a Hammer, and some Favia and an Acan. So the tank is starting to not only have a higher chemical demand, but also Ive invested ALOT of money (to me its alot) in these creatures and would be devastated if the unthinkable happened. (I guess this tanks starting to make me paranoid HAHA)

 

If you don't have a lot of corals that would drain your Ca, a CA reactor is not needed....however, if you're in this for the long haul and plan to load up on corals, from my experience it could make your life a lot easier. I've done the dripping kalk and 2-part methods, they both worked great for my tank but I just got tired of all the manual work and worring about people screwing up when I'm on vacation, so I ended up getting a CA reactor. On a large system, 2-part could end up costing more than a CA reactor in the long run. Now to your questions...I'll give it a shot, I'm sure others will correct me if I'm wrong or missed anything.

1.) What all components are required? CO2 tank, solenoid valve
Reactor (including mixer pump, bubble counter, check valve, etc.), CO2 tank, regulator (w/ solenoid for auto CO2 shutoff), lifter pump (could tap off your return pump or have a separate pump), pH controller (not required but I highly recommend).

2.) Does a calcium reactor control Ca and Alk? (sorry if thats obvious)
After you get it tweaked right, it maintains CA and Alk

3.) Good brands and different prices for my setup? Mainly SPS and LPS
GEO and Korallin (I have a korallin C1502 on my 75g w/ 55g sump, took a few weeks of tweaking but after that it was just 'set it and forget it'...pretty much)

4.) Maintainence required?
After you have it dialed in and working correctly, you just need to take a look at the bubble counter every few days to make sure it's working as set and check your drip rate. Depending on size and calcium needs, replace/top-off the media every 6-12 months. Depending on size, replace the CO2 once a year, I can't think of anything else right now...

5.) Potential Problems?
Low pH, high alk, low/high CA...that's why I recommend a pH controller.

6.) Operating cost? Media, tank refills
Media: ~$30 yearly
CO2: ~$25 to refill tank yearly

 

I agree with map95003 but wanted to add a few specifics. I also have a koralin 1502 running on my 300 so there is a wide range of tank sizes that a Ca reactor will run. They make an optional top that includes a port for the Ph probe that I also recommend. I have a milwalkee regulator which I am not too happy with. Sometimes when the Ph in the Ca reactor drops and the controller cuts off the power, the solonoid doesn't cut off the CO2 the way it should. I don't know if its an unusual problem or more common. The entire process has made my life much easier.- Paul