Hi TR community!

I'm curious as to what calcium reactors are being successfully used. I need to make up my mind soon about one, but am not sure about the brands.

Anyone using one that they're happy with?

BTW, I've decided to go with a calcium reactor, rather than kalkwasser or kalk reactor, because of the size of my tank (2000liter)......

i used a H&S before. i stopped using it because i cannot find a place to refill my CO2 on weekends. really don't miss it a whole lot. i see the new ones from Coralife, they look very simple and is not expensive.

i use geo's reactor with schuren media. i love it.

FW - The Coralife reactor still requires CO2 though.... Does this in any way affect your decision? Do you think you'll go back to the H&S?

FW and pham411 - can you share with me why you decided to go with a calcium reactor vs. kalkwaser reactor?

with the calcium reactors do they still use 20% dolominte with an occasional addition of epson/ mag choride? or is this old school?

with the calcium reactors do they still use 20% dolominte with an occasional addition of epson/ mag choride? or is this old school?
i've never used dolomite and i have not heard of anyone using it in my area. i've been told that dolomite have a tendency to gel with each other.

i've never used dolomite and i have not heard of anyone using it in my area. i've been told that dolomite have a tendency to gel with each other.

prob so, im not aware of this geling effect, but dolomite caintains CaMg(CO3)2
and is released into soloution at lower ph levels. i just cant remember where ive seen it used

it was used at one time as a buffering compound when silica sand was popular as a substrate. it was also used about 20% in pressure sand filter to help sand from packing. now pressure sand filters and dolomite is out.

sheesh, your sooooooooo yesterday veriann...lol

where would young whippersnappers be without old geezers telling all about the goofy things we did BACK THEN and now have to explain"....well it didn't seem stupid at the time.......besides everyone said it was the best way to go.......

Hey, back in the day I had dolomite over my UG filter.

hey there u go, a spring chicken from way back:cool:

Don't know if you're still shopping or not but I am using a Korallin C1502 reactor with an Aquamedic regulator and solenoid. I like the Korallin because it is very effecient with its use of CO2. It's a bit hard to tune initially but once dialed in it is a very good reactor.

I forgot to add, I am using a kalk reactor as well to combat the lower PH that CR's generally can cause.

I just talked with my friend tonight who used to have a LFS and we were discussing Calcium Reactor vs. Kalkwasser vs. Balling Method.
His recommendation (based on some stuff of A. Nilsen) was to use a Calcium Reactor PLUS Kalkwasser hooked up to a stirrer. He also thought that both of them were more beneficial. I guess A. Nilsen has been doing some research on Kalkwasser + CO2 vs. Calcium Reactor + CO2 and he's seen that there's a lot of positive effects from the CO2! That's pretty cool...even in combination with Kalkwasser.
He also suggested that most of the Balling Method tanks that he's seen tend to have primarily pink coralline algae and not much of the other colors and for this reason he wouldn't use it...thought that was interesting.

what kind of benefit does kalk with CO2 provide?

I'm not sure exactly. I'm going to go to the library next week when I get to Boulder and see if I can check out the book that he was talking about...

kalk in genaral is high in ph values, the vinegar(acetic acid) we add during mixingallows us to cheat the calcium hydroxide saturation levels. By being acidic, it lowers the pH of the kalk mix, allowing more calcium hydroxide to be added (super-satuated).
the acetic acid(white vinegar store bought) also aids in the growth of denitrifying bacteria that are so useful in getting rid of excess nitrate by turning it into harmless nitrogen gas.

see the main problem is when mixing kalk is CO2 from the air will turn the hydrogen ions in the solution into bicarbonate which will turn in to calcium carbonate prematurely thus the pressiprated mess on the bottom is useless. i am unaware of CO2 being used in the same vessile like CA reactors do, but CO2 in Ca reactor lowers the ph causing more to dissolve. when circualted through muilt chambers the CO2 raises the effulent mixtures ph value, allowing for a more stable ph mixture entering the tank!

then u can the 2part or even 3part additives that are on the market. these are basicly concentrate Calcium, magnesium and strontium(trace), & alk buffers

RB where do i find this new study of kalk +CO2?

It's supposedly in one of the newer Nilsen books, but I'll have to find out exactly....sorry, I myself don't particularly like it when "facts" are thrown out there without any basis to back them up and here I've done it myself! That's why I'd like to read up on it to see what was really done and what the effects really were. I leave today for Boulder, so I'll get back online once I get settled and recover from jetlag!

haha, veriann said fossa and nilsen were old geezers! lol

only when they cant hear me blub...lol

dont stay to long away from a puter RB, can only fill the void for so long my girl! will start to get withdrawal sooner rather than later :)
have fun visiting the folks, safe trip!
as for the info, i'll try to track it down, when u reach the library let us know what u find too

I am using a reef tek love it..

i think ive seen one of these in the LFS shelves. twin carby reactor with the CO2 Drip panel smack bang between them. this one was red, which kinda looked odd, but hey, why not involve fashion!

how do u like the finner control element of the unit.
do these have an option to recirculate?