Calcium reactors for dummies
 

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...0+Package.html

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.

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.

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)

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

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


and our own reference library. :D