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bmac2 
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Joined: August 18 2012
Location: Riverton
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 Topic: Calcium reactor / kalkwater reactor
Posted: October 10 2012 at 8:37am |
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As both Eric and Dion can attest to I am doing my best to set up everything on my new build with the best equipment and setup I can. Good or bad, I chose a SKIMZ skimmer rated for up to 500 gallons. So hopefully it is really oversized for my new tank so I can keep the water clarity really good.
But one thing I am struggling with is deciding what types of reactors to put in. My skimmer has a hookup for an ozone reactor, and I will probably try one since they are cheap.
BUT my major quandry is whether to put in a calcium reactor with the CO2 tank. OR to put in a kalkwater reactor. I know there are pluses and minuses for both, I am leaning towards the NON-CO2 reactors. Don't want to start a religious war, but I need to know experiences with specific brands/models of reactors, what everyone things I need to do for a 300 gallon tank with a 97 gallon sump. I am really afraid of my calcium and alk to go low and be eaten up with the way my wife and I both love corals. I want to make sure I have the most robust environment for growing corals.
What other reactors has anyone used. Models/brands/results? Like I said, I want to make educated choices and get the right stuff so this aquarium flourishes and blows everyone's socks off.
Mac
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jdinchak
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Joined: July 06 2009
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Posted: October 10 2012 at 9:25am |
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I am thinking of going the doser route, cheaper up front and supplies are cheaper too. Less space too. Just my 2 cents.
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180G Mixed Reef Tank
170G Dart Frog Tank
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bmac2
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Posted: October 10 2012 at 9:32am |
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the doser route I can do so easy. And I know people have reported good results.
BUT the question still remains, which is better long term? Doser? kalkwater reactor? Calcium reactor?
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Elite-Aquatics
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Joined: March 21 2011
Location: North Ogden
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Posted: October 10 2012 at 10:01am |
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I think on a tank that size a calcium reactor would be better. kalkwasser is great but it won't be enough when your coral colonies start getting large and demand alot of alk,ca. 2 part is nice, but on a tank that size you are going to use a bit of 2 part.
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Premium aquarium filtration!
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Shane H
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Posted: October 10 2012 at 10:09am |
If you are using a top-off resevoir, I see no reason not to use kalkwasser in the resevoir. If you will be running a line directly from your RO/DI, then you will need an in-line reactor. This is a bit more effort, but again, well worth it - IMO. There is just not a good reason not to include kalkwasser for all your top-off water in a large system.
I used a calcium reactor (build by Eric and available for sale if you're interested) for several years and I loved it. It took some time to dial it in, but once I had it adjusted correctly it was almost set-and-forget. With a reliable controller, a calcium reactor is still a great way to go for a large system. The costs to run the reactor are neglible (media and CO2) plus the cost to run a circulation pump - these won't even show up on your monthly statements. 
Running the two together is the best of both worlds! Use the elevated pH of the kalkwasser to off-set the low pH from the reactor. Use the kalkwasser to help maintain alkalinity and run your reactor that much slower. It a great way to balance the pros and cons from each method.
Good luck.
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tileman
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Joined: November 05 2003
Location: Murray
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Posted: October 10 2012 at 4:57pm |
Mac, If you can find time, stop by my house and I will show you what I'm running. My tank is a 335g full reef set up. I run a very large calcium reactor and all of my top off water is run thru a kalk reactor. Like Shane says, you will want both to benefit each other. I live in Murray right off of the 5300 exit, so I'm easy to find. Let me know if this interests you. Brad
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335G Reef
TOTM.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium
ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month
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DLindquist
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Posted: October 11 2012 at 6:21am |
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Like Brad (and I think Shane), I also run a Ca reactor and Kalk through my top off on our 265G. Best of both worlds.
Edited by DLindquist - October 11 2012 at 6:23am
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A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have.
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Jake Pehrson
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Location: Murray, UT
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Posted: October 11 2012 at 10:25am |
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I agree also with the posts above. In a high demand tank running both is the way to go.
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