stirer vs reactor

[jonzee2006]

ok so income taxes are come back soon and I just have to blow some of it on my tank. so my question is which is better a calcium reactor or a kalkwasser stirer? And what are the pros cons and some of your experiences with them. seems like I could get either one for around the same price so the money thing isn't really a factor.

 

[m and m]

IMO a cal rex dialed in is the best thing ever made. But they are slightly complacated and i was always scared to nuke my tank. Also keep in mind when corals grow they need more ALk/CAL so it needs to be adjusted every once in a while. If i had to choose one i would say cal rex but i would rather two part and a good test kit.

 

[btkrausen]

I think a kalk reactor is cheaper, isn't it? For a quality calcium reactor and all the good required, you're looking at 300-700 dollars. Then you have to buy media to fill it up, and buy/rent a CO2 tank. With a kalk reactor, you buy the reactor, and simply add/refill kalk, wihc you can get enough to last a year for $10. A kalk reactor runs anywhere from 100-300.

I personally run a kalk reactor, simply because its cheaper, and I think is super simple to do. I'm currently running a Precision Marine reactor, which is mixed with a pump.

 

[Troylee]

I wouldn't get either I would get a bubble Magnus doser... Dosing pumps are the most precise and accurate pieces of equipment you could buy...;)

 

[btkrausen]

I wouldn't get either I would get a bubble Magnus doser... Dosing pumps are the most precise and accurate pieces of equipment you could buy...;)

But you can buy a kalk reactor and 5 years worth of kalk for the price of a Bubble Magnus, haha.

I have been wanting to try a bubble magnus though, I've read they are pretty accurate. I've seen people their tests online, where, after instructed to dose 100ml, the first pump would do 98ml, the second 101ml, and the third 99ml. Something to that effect.

 

[phi delt reefer]

I wouldn't get either I would get a bubble Magnus doser... Dosing pumps are the most precise and accurate pieces of equipment you could buy...;)

+1 but i would go with the BRS dosing pumps (about $90 on BRS Group Buys) and hook them up to a reef controller. Bulk CALC ALK And MAG are so cheap. The 400-700 you spend on a calc reactor you probably would never spend on a dosing pump setup including bulk C/A/M in 7+ years!

I dont like units like the Bubble Magus or Profilux because you have send back the entire thing to be repaired if one pump goes down and the more things housed in one box (ie pump controller + pumps) the greater the chance of something going wrong.

 

[jski711]

I would get a stirer. I have a maxi 1200 that mixes mine and it busts the impellers way too often. It's quite annoying.

 

[btkrausen]

I would get a stirer. I have a maxi 1200 that mixes mine and it busts the impellers way too often. It's quite annoying.

If you keep the impellers clean, the same one will last forever. I've had my reactor for almost a year now, and the same impeller has been in there from day one. I have had them strip out though, so I won't argue it can't do it.

Just like anything else, you have to learn the equipment and the best way that it helps and affects your tank.

 

[m and m]

But using a cal rex is a one time deal. Unless your in the middle of stocking your tank you most likely wont have to change dosing for a while. Its more set it and forget it doing two part is not. Troylee’s option though is a good one. Always wanted to play with one of those.

 

[btkrausen]

Yeah, calcium reactors are a set and forget deal for most part. My kalk is about the same, I just choose to clean it out every few months and add new kalk, but right now, I haven't cleaned it since 11/6, and I've added very little kalk, yet my calcium is a steady 430-450.

I've wanted to try a calcium reactor, but since my kalk reactor has kept up with the demand, I felt no need.

 

[johnanddawn]

i always wanted a reactor but i'm a hands on kinda reefer. this is also why i dose by hand rather then with an automated system. always seemed to me if it is set it and forget it - i'll prob forget it and something will be out of wack beore i notice it

 

[subielover]

Kalk stirrer all the way. Maintains alk., increases and helps to maintain Ca., and helps to remove phosphates, it also increases and helps to keep a stable ph. It is by far the cheapest way to supplement.

 

[btkrausen]

Check out the Avast Marine stirrer, they make some nice stuff. I always buy reactors mixed with a pump, but mostly cause the older stirrers had problems with motor burn out. At least with the pump type, the Maxijet is easily replaceable.

 

[m and m]

Could some one explain the hole working of a Kalk rex? Does it need to be dialed in like a cal rex, how does it work? Can you nuke a tank like you can with a cal rex.

 

[btkrausen]

Could some one explain the hole working of a Kalk rex? Does it need to be dialed in like a cal rex, how does it work? Can you nuke a tank like you can with a cal rex.

Basically, the kalk sits at the bottom of the reactor, and the reactor is filled with RO water. When the kalk and RO is mixed, the RO absorbs lime (calcium). When you use a dosing pump to feed the reactor, you can control how much to pump through it. My PM reactor is fairly big, about the size of a decent skimmer, and hold probably 2-3 gallons of water. The "new" RO water pumped in goes in the top, and down a tube, that way the saturated water goes out to the tank.

I run my dosing pump for 20 seconds every 9 minutes. That way it tops off my sump, on top of maintaining a very steady dosage of calcium. Kalk also affects kH and pH as well. Once you get our dosing correct, it'll keep your pH and kH super steady. I have very little fluctuation in all three, cal, pH, kH.

 

[m and m]

Do you still do manual dosing like a three part? Well i guess you still need mag does it keep it 100% stable or you you still need to polish off your dosing manualy?

 

[subielover]

Still need to dose Mg. The other main 2 (alk and ca) are on a tank-by-tank basis. Currently in a moderately stocked tank I do not have to dose 2 part at all, just kalkwasser in my ato and weekly water changes.

 

[m and m]

How do you figure out the dosing? Start a few seconds test cheack a hour later and adjust from there?

 

[btkrausen]

Do you still do manual dosing like a three part? Well i guess you still need mag does it keep it 100% stable or you you still need to polish off your dosing manualy?

I currently dose Magnesium manually, but you can always try the Brightwell kalk, which is supposed to have Magnesium and Strontium included. I'm going to try it once I run out of my current stock.

 

[btkrausen]

How do you figure out the dosing? Start a few seconds test cheack a hour later and adjust from there?

Honestly, I time the pump to keep up with my evaporation, and then adjust kalk from there. Keep in mind that a gallon of RO can only hold a max of 2 Tbsp of kalk, anymore than that and its not helping you calcium. Also remember that the more kalk you use, the more it'll effect your pH and kH.