Which Calcium reactor to buy?

[aquaglobal]

I have had enough with this Korallin reactor and am searching for a new model.
After changing the valves, I have finally got it to be consistent on the output and was able to completely close off the bleed line.
The valves it came with leaked and in my opinion where junk. Now that I have the output fixxed, it builds up co2 in about two days in the top of the reactor and needs to be bled.
This model the 1502 is too small for my 85 gallon SPS tank with about 40 Acros in it.
Funny thing is, I replaced it with the smallest Knop reactor that kept up with the tank demand and I NEVER had to mess with it!
I thought because the Korallin held much more gravel that it would keep up easily. NOT SO!
I am going back to the loop design reactor(MUCH MORE EFFICIENT WITH CO2!). Anyone use the PM reactor? It looks very well built! How about the Deltec?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[1diverdown]

i too had the 1502 prior to my current CR. if you do a search, you'll find that i had almost the exact complaints you have. there are plenty of reefers who think the 1502 is fantastic, but after dealing with it for almost a year, i wanted to smash it.

i replaced mine with a Deltec 600s early last summer. it's made an amazing difference in my reef. you can check out my gallery pix to see it. the fluidized bed is much more effecient IMO, and CO2 usage is minimal (2 bottles used in 10 months). one of the best features is you control the drip rate at the intake, not the outtake, so there's nothing to get gummed up like on the 1502. i run mine with a rio 90 pump and have never had a problem. my calcium level has been at 450 and dkh at 10.5 since shortly after hooking it up. where on the 1502 i was fiddling with it every 3 days to get it working again, i spend maybe 5 minutes/month on my 600s, and that to replace media. every 6 months i soak the pumps in vinegar for a few hours, and that's it for maintenance.

the only drawback of the Deltecs is that they're very expensive.

hth
Doug

[cellexjohn]

I have been running a PM 422 (w/ARM media) since Nov. It seems well built and sturdy. This is the only reactor I have ever run so I don't have any experience with others. It has maintained my Ca and Alk rock solid at 430/4.2. I get no buildup of CO2 in the top of the chamber. I personally wouldn't hesitate to buy one again.

John

[kozmo02]

www.myreefcreations.com

www.reeftek.com

[coderabit21]

Where can you buy the deltec or pm 422?

[cellexjohn]

PM 422/622

Enjoy!
John

[1diverdown]

Deltec's european website for pix etc:

http://www.deltecaquariumsolutions.com/home.php

US phone #: 800-807-0002

[tatoofr]

Hi,
I have a MTC mini Cal on my 120. Works great.Only complaint when the media gets low and really soft, after about 3 months the flow stops. Other than that its perfect. Deltec is the way to go if you can afford it.
I cant, but over all I'm happy with the MTC
Cal. 420-430 alk 10 12 dkh

You can see it on my web. Other thing is it has the second chamber for excess co2.

[scotmol]

I have to put a vote in for the K2R reactors. Once it's dialed in, it works flawlessly. My 2 cents...

Scott

[mardemp]

I love my GEO, easy to use and set up!
Marie

[crescent1]

not to change the subject but, doug/ 1diverdown, you must show me more pics of the setup/ plumbing and sump.

[crescent1]

hello young lady, mardemp, thats one great setup you have and love the webpage also.

[1diverdown]

Tony...

i'm working on a powerpoint presentation on my reef for monday's delaware reef society meeting, so i have pictures out the wazoo. pm me your email address and i'll send you a zip file.

Doug

[crescent1]

please do doug, www.raznaz@comcast.net

[alprazo]

I will second www.Myreefcreations.com. It was near effortless to dial in. Well built at a great price.

DE reef society - Monday?

[1diverdown]

alprazo you just saved my butt! i just checked the delaware reef club web site and it says that the meeting was changed to wednesday. well, maybe it's been wednesday all along, and i was just confused. either way, i've just been given 4 more days, and have been spared a long drive for no reason.

thanks for the info, and sorry about getting o/t.
Doug

[FishhyRen]

I'm also interested what calcium reactor people recommend---
I'm setting up a 125 w/a 55Gal Sump which will also be shared by my 55Gal tank for a total of around 200 gal-

I was thinking about a CR2 (dual chamber) to keep the the pH up--

Any suggestions (feed pump/etc) or even explain more why you don't like the Korallin-- I've heard lots of good things about the Korallin and was just about to buy one before I read this thread--


Thanks,

[aquaglobal]

Doug and all:
Thank you for the big responce and all the help. I firmly believe the problem with the Korallin models is the direction of the flow inside the chamber first of all. Instead of forcing the co2 down into the media and recirculating it, it shoves it up through the media allowing it to collect at the top and just sit there! This reasults in very little contact time as well.
The pump intake inside the reactor sits down two inches below the suface allowing the co2 to be wasted instead of recirculating it in a loop design reactor which recirculates the water down through the media instead of up.
I really like the looks of the Deltec and the PM reactors and will anxiously await more input before making my decision.
The Deltec reactor sounds very well thought out!
Thank you

[crescent1]

fishhyren, for the price and features, i would go with the geo reactor.

[tatoofr]

Doug,
Can I get those photo's too....?

Frank Tatoofr@optonline.net

[aquaglobal]

Doug,
May I ask where you got your Deltec reactor? Also, is set-up easy and can you understand their directions?
I am leaning toward the Deltec, just want to be sure im goin with the best model out there!
Thank you PS Your tank is awesome! Great job!

[1diverdown]

tatoofr..

photos sent.

Doug