Calcium Reactor!

Ive got a guy locally that is selling a reef octopus calcium reactor, with a milwaukee ph controller, 10lb CO2 tank, and Solenoid, basically everything i would need to run it, now my questions is does the ph probe have to be stored wet? and do the solenoids go bad from sitting? he just broke it down like 3 weeks ago, but if i have to invest in some new parts im hoping to get it cheaper, he wants 350 but i can probably get him down to 275.. is that good deal?

 

Absolutely! Consider that a new setup would be around $700! To my knowledge, pH probes do need to be stored in a solution. No idea about the solenoid.

 

Ok, great! i should be picking it up tomorrow night!! i was told that the probe had to be stored in a solution, and that the solenoid is probably bad b/c it also sat.. which didnt make sense to me.. i think the guy was just trying to make a buck b/c i had planned on getting a new one from him and i held of hoping to snag a deal elsewhere, now the other question is im currently a high bidder on a reef keeper on ebay its an elite version, would i be able to hook the reactor up to that rather then having a seperate controller? i was also told that it could be done but it is not easy at all, due to the software being different?? and the reactor is a single chamber reactor would that use more CO2 then a dual chamber? there are so many questions i have but i couldnt find any information on here to answer them..

 

As far as I know any Cal Reactor can be operated by a RKE. I have one as well and will be doing the same (selling the pH controller). As for your other questions, hopefully someone with experience with Cal Reactors will chime in.

 

PERFECT, Thanks for your help K+ Anyone else have an suggestions?

 

The solenoid shouldn't go bad, if anything you would just disassemble it and clean it up, there is nothing that wears or needs replacing.
The pH probe should be stored wet, most probes come with a cap you can fill with DI water or a pH solution and keep the probe fresh. If not stick it in a glass or water until its time to fire it up again.

Single chamber reactors don't use any more CO2 than a double or vice versa. All the second chamber does is give you an additional chamber to raise the pH back up before it gets to the sump. I started with a dual chamber but when the lid cracked I never replaced it and just use the one now. I never noticedany difference either way.

I used a Milwaukee SMS-122 controller for 5 or 6 years and never had a problem but about year ago I purchased a RKL with the SL-1 module and pH probe and it works pretty much the same so I sold the Milwaukee along with a bunch of other stuff the RKL replaced.

Go to Geo's Reef and you will find some very good instructons on how to set up a calcium reactor that is generic enough to apply to any reactor.

 

Awesome thank you very much, now as far as the ph being lower, how does that effect the tank? i know minimal water actually exits the reactor but it has to have some effect on the dt ph?

What kind of media do you suggest i put in it? i was looking at the brightwell media any experience with it?

 

Once you get the reactor dialed in correctly, it will take some patience for a few weeks, it should have little effect on the tanks pH. I drip my effluent out of the reactor in to a Lees large specimen container like the use to catch and bag fish in at the LFS. I hang the container on the side of the sump or on a baffle with the effluent line dripping in to it and the pH probe is hanging above it from a piece of acrylic with a 5/8" hole drilled in it so the probe doesn't fall out. The pH in the container is what turns the CO2 solenoid on and off and it works well. Some of the reactors have a grommet in the lid to insert the probe but I don't like those as well since you can't easily pull and clean the probe or slip it in the tank or sump to check the pH there.

 

Anyone use or heard of an aquamedic calcium reactor? ive got a guy locally selling one cheap with everything but the PH controller and i havent been able to find any reviews on this particular piece of equipment! The reef octopus went alot higher then i wanted to spend on a used reactor so i passed on it, but still on the market and found this!! Any Input?