Korallin Calcium reactors

i have a chance to buy a lightly used korallin C1502 reactor with a full co2 tank and media for 350. i looked at some new prices and they are pretty pricey so i think it is a good deal.

does anyone own or can anyone suggest a better one for around the same price?

 

That's the reactor I have in my 80g and I'm very happy about it. You're getting a great deal if you pick it up for that price.

 

no complaints then? what does it maintian you calcium at?

ive also read its hard to keep the bubble counter the same all the time.

 

I had one its not that great and to recharge them is a PITA you need to use a allen wench contact Otty he has a better deal on a better reactor for you . I got rid of mine and got what otty has I now build them. The korallin is simply an over engineered German reactor they are all the same really . Its just ease of use that makes them different I base my opinion on having used them all just about from the aqua medics to the schurans the coralife is pure junk . The bubble counter depends on how you set it up you have to forget the instructions and go another route

 

I wouldn't say all reactors are the same, because the GEO's are different in many regards than the korallin.

You can't beat a GEO reactor, especially for what they cost.
GEO's are very efficient on using CO2, and therefore don't lower your tank's ph. The CO2 lasts longer too.

Also, GEO's are very well built, easy to open up to refill, and most use ehiem recirc pumps. GEO has been making reactors longer than anyone, and they are very nice even if you need to talk with someone there, even if you didn't buy it new. You can't beat that.

I got my GEO used but in perfect shape for $250 with a reef fanatic regulator( one of the best) and a 5 lb tank. 350 for a reactor that isn't as good in many people's opinions is not a good deal. Maybe I just got a smokin' deal?

Whatever you do, don't buy a milwaukee regulator. Those are cheap units that fail. Also, I wouldn't run a reactor without a ph controller. If you don't, you are playing with fire. For now I simply use a milwaukee ph controller and that is a decent product, unlike their regulators.

 

I have used and now still have the Milwaukee regulator as well as the Reef Fanatic and the Blue lines and have all three setting around now and or in use all together at the same time and I see where one is not any better then the other over the yrs if set up and used properly ,Last Reef Fanatic I brought as I recalled they did not come with a bubble counter on their micro valves You had to have a separate counter or apply a Controller . Where the other two I mentioned have a counter on the valve and most all simply use saltwater in them .
I always used mineral oil and I have never had a single failure with either and on the remote counters on the R/F I always used a good check valve between the valve and the counter . Then you say never not use a PH controller ? I have never found the need for one what do you base the playing with fire on ? Only reason I find the need for the elect solenoid cut off is in case of power failure it saves my gas and never allows the reactor media to simply melt to mush ever seen that happen ? It does happen often especially when a reactor is to large for the system

As for the reactors I have used the GEO its a good one as well as the Knops and Schurans , AquaMedics, CRC Precision Marine , Aqua C's A E Tech's Korallin C's and at some time had several of the all running at the same time on all the mentioned regulators and for what its worth to anyone the simple old Knop kicks all their A$$'s hands down for efficiencies and ease of use . I set them all the same way and day in and day out they all require a 20 lb tank all about the same the amount of carbonate demand in the different systems does make a difference on the amount of gas used . I and now into 13 months with a simple old reactor and still the 20 lb tank is at 500 PSI and Internal PH is at 6.8 and the tank have a very high carbonate demand .

As for the Eheim's you talk about I have seen guys and me included have a problem and bang to much gas pressure into the reactor and blow the wet end inlet housing right off the pump when the two little plastic tangs that it locks onto snap with a sudden increase of about 10 PSI will do it .. But its a good pump but not the best either.
I have changed the Eheim's out with simple old maxies and have them run just as well for a small reactor on the larger ones mag 2 or mag something to push enough circulation .

But lets not high jack the mans thread here we are just all just offering our opinions on what is a good reactor and all we can do is base what we say on our experiences with what we have and have used .. I say the Knop C is $4$ the beat deal going for efficiency and ease of use and set up . Unless its the ones I build I took all the weak and strong points of the better units and have my own now .. But I'm just offering them to a few guys I know and trust to give me quality feed back on them first.

 

ic lots to read here. thanks for the feed back.

 

Here is the best deal you will find

KNOP C Calicium w/ solenoid and 5lb tank $225 w/tank & Sol
act fast it may be gone soon if not already . Scott?Otty ran it on his 265