Schuran Calcium Reactor Pico Version

b16drag · #1 09/09/2007, 02:09 PM

I have a 90g RR tank with sump along with overdriven T5 lightings. Planning to do a mixed reef tank with SPS up high and some LPS with softies down low and probably 1-2 clams.

From what I've read the pico is rated for about a 135g tank, and I know they are very efficient reactors.

Anyone have experience with this calcium reactor, and would I have problems maintaining Ca and Alk if I end up doing more SPS than expected?

Thanks.

b16drag · #2 09/09/2007, 07:38 PM

Bump to the top for some info.

b16drag · #3 09/10/2007, 09:12 AM

*Bumpity Bump*

Someone's got to know this...

b16drag · #4 09/11/2007, 08:46 PM

*BUMP*

Fishie Nut · #5 09/11/2007, 09:59 PM

I had a Pico and it did a great job in my 100 gallon + 20 gallon sump/fuge. Kept my Ca level at 450, easy to use, not so easy to clean. I made the mistake of putting it where light could get to it and algae grew inside the cylinder. Hard to get in there. It comes complete; you just need a CO2 cylinder and regulator and you're in business. I loved it. ALK & CA were never a problem.
I ran the output into a small container and let it drip into the sump. I had a pH meter in the container and that controlled my regulator.

b16drag · #6 09/11/2007, 11:03 PM

Thanks for replying to the thread it seems like not alot of people are using and if they are they arent telling me!

Anyways, did you have a hard time dialing in on it? Did you also have a hard time restarting it when you added new media?

Did you own a mixed reef, sps dominant, LPS/Softie dominant, or clams?

uhuru · #7 09/11/2007, 11:44 PM

I have one but haven't set it up yet. I love the small size and superb craftmanship. The directions make it sound very easy to set up, nice to hear from someone that has had success with it. Looking forward to reading the answers to b16's questions!

b16drag · #8 09/12/2007, 12:48 AM

uhuru, are you using it on the nano or the 70g shallow?

Fishie Nut · #9 09/12/2007, 01:15 AM

I had no problems with it. I set the pH at 6.5 on and 6.3 off, bubbled about 40-60/minute. That's it. No problem restarting or starting in the first place. Check the effluent numbers make sure they are right.
I have a mixed reef, SPS dominant, a large clam, some LPS and zoas.

pm me if you need help

b16drag · #10 09/12/2007, 01:30 AM

How big was your tank again?

Also, did you need to run a pump from the sump to feed the reactor or did you think the pump on the calcium reactor was sufficient to suck in water?

uhuru · #11 09/12/2007, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by b16drag
uhuru, are you using it on the nano or the 70g shallow?

As small as this thing is you would think it's meant for a nano but no it's for my 70g

I don't think you can use the MJ that comes with it as a feed pump can you? It's just for recirculating. I'm also wondering what the best feed pump to use would be. The intake line is 1/4" tubing so it would seem a peristaltic pump would be best??

Fishie Nut · #12 09/12/2007, 04:32 PM

What I did is tapped into my return plumbing, put in a threaded JG fitting and ball valve to control the feed. You just want it to drip.

uhuru · #13 09/12/2007, 06:51 PM

So if it is fed from the return line - the effluent goes back into the sump, and then it could end up feeding back into the reactor again couldn't it? Couldn't that potentially lead to lowering the pH too much?

Fishie Nut · #14 09/12/2007, 06:58 PM

I guess it could, but it didn't My pH in the 100 gallon was always around 8.1 +/- The effluent from the reactor was 6.5 +/-

So little water gets fed into the reactor, I don't think it will be a problem.

Maybe I just live right, LOL!

b16drag · #15 09/12/2007, 11:58 PM

Thats what I was planning on doing. Cool thanks buddy!