Debate: Kalk Reactor or Calcium Reactor

[Fr4nkthet4nk]

I have been reefing for a long time, debating about my main source of dosing Ca and Alk. Should you use a Calcium reactor as the biggest dosing part or the Kalk reactor?
I would like your opinion on this matter. Consider trace elements and PH. Thank you!

 

[X-37B]

I use both on my 150. Kalk 24/7 helps offset the low ph at night.
To adjust alk I can speed up the kalk or the carx using the Kamoers. Simple and easy to control.

 

[Fr4nkthet4nk]

I use both on my 150. Kalk 24/7 helps offset the low ph at night.
To adjust alk I can speed up the kalk or the carx using the Kamoers. Simple and easy to control.

But who does the biggest dosing? Nice Sump

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Does it have to be either one of those?

Delivery of kalk from a reservoir is a better option than a kalk reactor, unless space is the limiting factor. I used kalk from a reservoir for 20 years and it is a good option, but has limited capability in terms of heavy demand.

A CaCO3/Co2 reactor is a good inexpensive option, but does not solve the trace element concerns since all sorts of organisms, including corals, use trace elements that are not put into coral skeletons.

I currently use All For Reef. Cost is the main drawback.

FWIW, I compare lots of options hare:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/pros-and-cons-of-alkalinity-and-calcium-dosing-methods.1069/

 

[Fr4nkthet4nk]

Does it have to be either one of those?

Delivery of kalk from a reservoir is a better option than a kalk reactor, unless space is the limiting factor. I used kalk from a reservoir for 20 years and it is a good option, but has limited capability in terms of heavy demand.

A CaCO3/Co2 reactor is a good inexpensive option, but does not solve the trace element concerns since all sorts of organisms, including corals, use trace elements that are not put into coral skeletons.

I currently use All For Reef. Cost is the main drawback.

FWIW, I compare lots of options hare:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/pros-and-cons-of-alkalinity-and-calcium-dosing-methods.1069/

Thank you for your answer. I want to know which one I should set as the main dosing for the tank

 

[X-37B]

But who does the biggest dosing? Nice Sump

The carx was the only one I used prior to the kalk. My carx runs at 50% less with the kalk and has helped night time ph.
I run esv 2 part on 4 systems and a new system will be A4R and kalk.
I prefer a carx for larger systems and 2 part or A4R for smaller systems, although my new 112 will run A4R with kalk.
I dose DSR ez trace in my ato at 2.5ml per gallon of ato water.
Pick what you are comfortable running and keep it simple.

 

[exnisstech]

I use neither. AFR and ESV 2 part keep up for me in seperate tanks. I used to use kalk but used a dosing pump not a reactor.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for your answer. I want to know which one I should set as the main dosing for the tank

So you already have both?

Assuming so, I'd use as much kalk as you can (based on evaporation), then take up the slack with the CaCo3/CO2 reactor. That will give the most pH boost.

 

[vabben]

Kalk as main supplementation but my consumption surpassed how much I could dose, so now dose Soda Ash on top of Kalk. May have to look into a calcium reactor for the larger system I'm transferring to.

 

[Fr4nkthet4nk]

My tank is 280 Gallons. I am using both. I want to know who should do the heavy lifting.

 

[X-37B]

My tank is 280 Gallons. I am using both. I want to know who should do the heavy lifting.

Use the carx for the heavy lifting and adjust kalk to keep ph elevated at night is a good plan.

 

[LavenderTi]

My tank is 280 Gallons. I am using both. I want to know who should do the heavy lifting.

Max out Kalk and adjust CaRx to keep up with demand. That’s what I currently do. I dose the max Kalk to meet evaporation demand and have the CaRx do the rest.