Calcium reactors for dummies

[Douglas]

I'm looking for some "simple english" advice, on the choosing, and setting up of a calcium reactor on my 72 gallon reef. I want it simple, and easy to maintain. Any advice would be great. Thanks. I've been looking at this one.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/tz-cr3170p/Tunze+Turbo+Calcium+Automat+Reactor+3170+Package.h tml

[niloc16]

i believe you could get a cheaper one. as far as a easy setup guide that might be difficult. i could walk you through setting it up if you would like.

[fkshiu]

Here are two articles in plain English which helped me:

http://www.melevsreef.com/calcium_reactor.html

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-12/pr/index.php

At the end of the day, a calcium reactor is pretty simple: it's merely a container where coral skeletons are dissolved using CO2. There are basically two points of adjustment you have to worry about: bubble rate and effluent drip rate. Different brands of reactors have different levels of complexity of set up and adjustment. European ones like Koralin and Schuran have a reputation of being tricky and more complicated to set up and adjust. I have a GEO 612 and it was a snap - I had it running in about half an hour and dialed-in within a few days.

[Mrfish55]

I have the Precision Marine and it is simple to operate set your bubble rate (approx one per sec.) and then adjust your effluent till it runs about 6.5-7ph, it's not a steady stream just a fast drip. My calcium level runs between 420-450 and Alk at 8-10dkh with no other additives and I recharge it about every four months. (I am also using the pinpoint ph controller to automatically turn the co2 on and off as needed)

[niloc16]

my biggest recommendation is to get one that you can have a ph probe inserted into and monitor your ph. it is a pain in the butt if you have to test your effluent all the time for the ph within the reactor

[brizzo]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.php

[Doug]

http://216.187.96.54/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=22085


and our own reference library. :D