Ca reactor and tank questions.

[Ordovician_Reef]

As it turns out we got an educators discount from Waterbox on our 190.5 so I am thinking about investing in a Ca reactor, I know it will not be needed for a while but if the money is available now I am gonna use it. I have settled on :


cTech T-2 Calcium Reactor

T-X Secondary Media Chamber for Calcium Reactors

Milwaukee MC122 pH Controller


I am open to thoughts or suggestions?

Also, can anyone give some good recommendations on a good tank/valve setup, something mid range in price.

Thanks
Rick

 

[Snoopy 67]

Calcium Reactor Thoughts and Tuning

docs.google.com

BEST explanation on a calcium reactor I have found.

 

[Ordovician_Reef]

Any thoughts on this tank? It is for adding CO2 to a freshwater system but would it also work for supplying a Ca rector?

CO2 system kit with ARCHAEA AccuPRO Compact CO2 regulator dual gauge

*This item is qualified for FREE SHIPPING to all 48 continental states! Additional shipping fees may apply for shipping to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska. This CO2 system kit includes: Archaea AccuPRO Compact CO2 regulator dual gauge x 1 Archaea AccuPRO CO2 metal bubble counter (In-line...

aquaforestaquarium.com

 

[Ordovician_Reef]

Calcium Reactor Thoughts and Tuning

docs.google.com

BEST explanation on a calcium reactor I have found.

Thanks.... This is a great article. I am confused however by the exact tank and valve needed (it's specifications).....

 

[Snoopy 67]

Tank size is dependant on your needs. A tank full of SPS will need more CO2 than one just starting out.
There is no difference in the connection size or thread from a 5 to a 20 pound tank.
A dual gauge regulator can be like a car - from a Kia to a Lamborghini in price.
Many like the Carbon Doser but that is not cheap either. What is important really is when the tank gets low on pressure said valve will still work without "dumping" the co2 into the reactor.

 

[Ordovician_Reef]

Tank size is dependant on your needs. A tank full of SPS will need more CO2 than one just starting out.
There is no difference in the connection size or thread from a 5 to a 20 pound tank.
A dual gauge regulator can be like a car - from a Kia to a Lamborghini in price.
Many like the Carbon Doser but that is not cheap either. What is important really is when the tank gets low on pressure said valve will still work without "dumping" the co2 into the reactor.

I was looking at the Tunze CO2 Regulator 7077.3 And a Milwaukee solenoid and pH controller. Likely go with a 10 pound tank. I am curious, why would low tank pressure cause CO2 to be dumped into the reactor?

 

[Hal3134]

Hit up Alan Lee on the planted tanks group on Facebook for a custom two stage regulator that won’t dump the CO2 when the supply tank gets low. I think you can find his contact info here too.I researched the heck out of regulators and ultimately went with him.

 

[alanle]

Custom regulators will last a lifetime.

 

[bakbay]

Custom regulators will last a lifetime.

True and I have a custom regulator as well. However, it doesn’t have a “dial or indicator” to tell how much CO2 is opened or a frame of reference — well, at least mine doesn’t. On a Carbon Doser, one can visually see how many bubbles per min.

 

[bakbay]

Regulators aside, I think the best investment one can make is a device that delivers a consistent effluent rate. I struggled for a long time with needle valves but settled on a peristaltic pump. Alk is a lot stable now. Mine is set at 55mls/min and simply dial up more CO2 as consumption demands.

 

[Ordovician_Reef]

Regulators aside, I think the best investment one can make is a device that delivers a consistent effluent rate. I struggled for a long time with needle valves but settled on a peristaltic pump. Alk is a lot stable now. Mine is set at 55mls/min and simply dial up more CO2 as consumption demands.

I do plan to use a dosing pump, I agree that may be the most important control on the system. Set the pH and control the dosing.

Rick

 

[Matt1997]

Geosreef reactor with a 10lb tank controlled by a carbon doser and a kamoer peri pump. Best combination for success.

 

[Ordovician_Reef]

Geosreef reactor with a 10lb tank controlled by a carbon doser and a kamoer peri pump. Best combination for success.

I looked at then, they look solid. Do you feed it with the dosing pump and then drip the effluent?

 

[Matt1997]

I looked at then, they look solid. Do you feed it with the dosing pump and then drip the effluent?

Exactly.