What calcium reactor??

Mr James · #1 12/22/2007, 10:35 PM

Search isn't working. Go figure. I have used MRC products exclusively in previous years. GEO obviously is my top choice. What other brands are good?? Media too??

And, I have always been a dual chamber guy. Again or do a single??

richierich2000 · #2 12/22/2007, 11:48 PM

geo single rocks I love mine

Mr James · #3 12/22/2007, 11:50 PM

Which one??

richierich2000 · #4 12/23/2007, 12:10 AM

I have a 618 I like the ph probe holder a lot more accurate that way

Mr James · #5 12/23/2007, 12:13 AM

What do you run your pH at inside of the unit?? I plan to utilize my Aquacontroller for control.

RedEDGE2k1 · #6 12/23/2007, 12:20 AM

Keep in mind you can't monitor your tank's pH and the reactor's pH at the same time with the Aquacontroller.

Mr James · #7 12/23/2007, 12:29 AM

Quote:

by RedEDGE2k1
Keep in mind you can't monitor your tank's pH and the reactor's pH at the same time with the Aquacontroller.

Then I guess I would skip the monitoring of the unit and focus on the tank. That's what i am used to anyway.

richierich2000 · #8 12/23/2007, 12:31 AM

if you have a ac3 you can

6.7

Mr James · #9 12/23/2007, 12:43 AM

AC Jr.... for the time being...

howdy777 · #10 12/23/2007, 02:23 AM

Geo, the best there is..

JR719 · #11 12/23/2007, 02:27 AM

Deltec.....

Other than cost of replacement parts.

Mr James · #12 12/23/2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

by JR719
Deltec.....Other than cost of replacement parts.

So I've read. I had a MRC CR-2 for years and never had to replace parts. Wonder why that is??

RedEDGE2k1 · #13 12/24/2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr James
Then I guess I would skip the monitoring of the unit and focus on the tank. That's what i am used to anyway.

You'll definitely want to monitor/control the pH of the reactor. The reactor needs to stay at pH 6.5 in order to dissolve the calcium media. The controller will keep it in the right range.

For my tank, I'm going to keep my AquaController Jr monitoring my tank's pH, and buy a seperate pH controller ($100) for the calc reactor.

reef / aholic · #14 12/25/2007, 12:13 AM

Mr James - There are a lot of calcium reactors out there. What do you want in a calcium reactor?

. single chamber
. dual chamber
. up-flow
. small footprint
. height
. etc

hahnmeister · #15 12/25/2007, 12:48 AM

#1 Deltec... you just cant beat the output.
#2 Korallin... self feeding, output almost as high as Deltec, easy to set/control, very efficient.
#3 GEO, of course, its pretty much a copy of a Korallin... does it perform as well though? Not quite.

orangekush4 · #16 12/25/2007, 04:04 AM

Korallin was the worst reactor i have used.if you want to monitor both reactor and tank,just buy a extra prob that way you can just slip on the extra one and read the tank P.H.I know a guy that got a Deltec and he used to have a GEO,he wished he never sold his GEO.

richierich2000 · #17 12/25/2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reef / aholic
Mr James - There are a lot of calcium reactors out there. What do you want in a calcium reactor?

. single chamber
. dual chamber
. up-flow
. small footprint
. height
. etc

I use a single chamber, up-flow GEO 618

the up-flow is better than down

the size only matters on how much water you have and what kind and how many coral you have. ie. if you have a sps tank that is very full then you need a much larger one.

get one with the ph probe holder inside of it. I had a one with out one and it is a pain to get the ph just right. with the probe in side with a controller is set it and for get it.

Creetin · #18 12/25/2007, 08:56 AM

Well i have ownes 3 ca/rx, and this is my list.

MRC
GEO
Korallin, and i reallyu didnt like the korallin much and it was the shortest lived on my setup/ It was fussy to keep it going clogged frequently, and was a pita.
The Geo is somewhat of a pita to maintain as well. It clogs about once a month and has a meltdown even with large media!!!
The MRC is the best because it never clogged, and stayed rock solid on ca demand.
The GEO is built a little tougher, But i would rather take my chances with the MRC. IMO

richierich2000 · #19 12/25/2007, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Creetin
Well i have ownes 3 ca/rx, and this is my list.

MRC
GEO
Korallin, and i reallyu didnt like the korallin much and it was the shortest lived on my setup/ It was fussy to keep it going clogged frequently, and was a pita.
The Geo is somewhat of a pita to maintain as well. It clogs about once a month and has a meltdown even with large media!!!
The MRC is the best because it never clogged, and stayed rock solid on ca demand.
The GEO is built a little tougher, But i would rather take my chances with the MRC. IMO

Are you using a controller? sounds like you had the ph too low or your the output too low mine has only stopped once and that was the feed pump was clogged up

Creetin · #20 12/25/2007, 09:19 AM

No, but i plan on to, I ran the mrc without one and never had a sputter for over 2 years, The geo needs it as it is pretty good at melting media, But if the output clogs (Which it does frequently for me)the media is melted down pretty quick! I need another probe, But will get one soon as i dont feel like getting another reactor, I would have stuck with the MRC if i knew the geo's were like this.
I am also going to order a needlevalve as that valve that comes with the GEO is probably the reason why it clogs. IMO

richierich2000 · #21 12/25/2007, 10:08 AM

I would say that if you put a controller on there it would be fine becuse it would shut off the co2 and that way the media dosen't melt. if the ph goes to low then it will clog.

Flint&Eric · #22 12/25/2007, 10:08 AM

i've never heard of the korallin actual work via self feeding...any input?

we'll be going with H&S, self feeding, small footprint, recirc...there arent too many people who run them, but i've only heard good things.

reef / aholic · #23 12/25/2007, 10:33 AM

Go with the Schuran Jetstream or Deltec. Better yet look at this monster!!!

jpa14 · #24 12/25/2007, 10:38 AM

I have a MTC procal for the past two tears and love it.

Mr James · #25 12/25/2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

by reef / aholic
Mr James - There are a lot of calcium reactors out there. What do you want in a calcium reactor?

. single chamber
. dual chamber
. up-flow
. small footprint
. height
. etc

Foot print, height and overall size doesn't matter as I have plenty of room. In-wall system with some room for stuff.

My MRC models were down-flow and dual chamber. I always believed that the dual chamber helped to burn of excess co2. Now. From what I have seen on SOME models is a co2 recirculating feature.

I am somewhat interested in the AquaC RX-1 of all things. Self feeding intrigues me too. If not, I have a valve off the return pump I fed my last CR.

Dare I ask if anyone knows if MRC is still making things, putting packages together and whop the contact there would be??

And one last item. $$$. Money is a concern. Budget will probably be around $600ish ....