Is a calcium reactor right for me?

[Dom]

Currently, I'm dosing 2-Part using the Simplicity dosing system, but I am beginning to think that a calcium reactor to keep my Alkalinity and Calcium stable may be the better choice.

I am not getting the stability in my ALK and CA that I'd like and wonder if I'd achieve greater stability with a reactor. And because the pricing on reactors is less than palatable, I'd prefer to build my own.

But I am results-oriented, and I would hate to see my time and effort go into this project and not get results.

What result you ask?

To achieve stability in my tank's chemistry. I feel the lack of stability in my tank's chemistry is the reason my tank survives, but doesn't thrive.

 

[Fish Fan]

Bump! I'm interested too :-)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I cannot imagine how an alk and calcium two part on dosers could be unstable in a way that will be solved by a reactor.

How are you dosing them now?

 

[UMALUM]

I don't think there's any evidence that "stable" alk and calcium levels have any effect either way as long as they're present. I'm kinda in the camp that a stable ph above 8.2 has a greater effect on overall health and growth. Which unfortunately I was never able to achieve with reators. I also think if someone is gonna run one it should be implemented at the beginning as they can be tough on the coral during the dial in.

 

[Dom]

I cannot imagine how an alk and calcium two part on dosers could be unstable in a way that will be solved by a reactor.

How are you dosing them now?

Over the last week, I have been maintaining Alkalinity with uncooked baking soda. The Simplicity system needed some work (new check valves and supply lines). But all the parts are in, so today, I will reassemble and bring it back on line.

Over the last 30 days, my Alkalinity has fluctuated between 7.3 and 9.2. I don't think of this as stable and am of the impression that a 2 point swing is too much.

Part of the problem was than when using this calculator ( http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html), I overestimated the total volume of the tank (I estimated about 145 gallons of total volume). But I found my numbers running high and suspect that the total volume of the tank may be closer to 135 gallons of total volume.

Once back on line, I will dose based on 135 gallons of total volume.

I agree that when properly deployed, either a reactor or 2-part will do an effective job maintaining Alk and Ca.

I'm always looking for ways that I can do a better job with my tank. And I thought that might be more effective and yield better results than what I currently achieve. And while my tank is healthy, it certainly isn't winning any awards.

 

[bradreef]

I personally would dose Kalk with you 2 part for a tank that size. You add your cal/alk with Kalk and balance with 2 part. There will always be changing demand based on many factors. If you coral is happy, it demands more, and the opposite.

 

[sawdonkey]

I would not overthink this. My tank is filled with acros and other SPS and I just use Kalk in my topoff. I have a very nice calcium reactor sitting in my shelf unused. Yes, my alk fluctuates, but my tank does well regardless. In fact, I checked alk last night for the first time since December 14 and it was at 5.7. Whoops!…but coral is stall all happy.

To be more concise, no, I do not think you should get a reactor until your tank is packed with coral and other options no longer work.