Best Calcium reactor - Page 2

bkv1997 · #26 09/14/2006, 07:05 AM

http://www.marinetechnical.com/

TexasTodd · #27 09/29/2006, 11:01 AM

Bump, any more Schuran users?

Do you have to use a PH controller with the Schuran?

Thanks,

TT

bkv1997 · #28 09/29/2006, 11:52 AM

I ended up going with a Geo 618 with schuran media.

I'm using a PH controller in my setup. It's probably not needed, but it sure did make things alot easier.

Chris Witort · #29 09/29/2006, 10:46 PM

I have a Schuran jetstream 1. It is quite a reactor for its size. It can really pump out the calcium. It does have a few drawbacks though:
- It is mounted on a wall mount board so those with limited space under their tanks might have a hard time locating it.
- it is fussy about getting a consistent effluent if you are trying to run it near its lower output limit ( 50 ml min.) most people use a peristaltic pump to combat this.
- If it is placed anywhere where light can cause algae to grow within the unit it’s not easy at all to clean the upper section.

Other than that it is great. It's super stingy on co2 use due to the capture and recirculation design.

hahnmeister · #30 09/30/2006, 12:04 AM

'BEST' is a relative term. Best at what is the big question...

Best Efficiency: Seems to be the Schuran Jetstreams. The way they recirculate the CO2 seems to be the most effective method.

Best 'Set and Forget': Korallin. They just seem to be the most consistant. I have one, and after the initial 3 months of dialing it in just right... it hasnt changed... I just keep refilling with media and CO2... the pH controller doesnt get alot of use with this thing. That is kinda nice in my book... no worries about how reliable the output is. The only major downfall is the top mounted pump, which can make it tricky to work with/reload... its a skill that you get better with over time, but it could be better. Korallin does it to make it fit in smaller areas.

Best Build: GEO. Just look at it, its built like a tank out of 100% cast acrylic.

Best Value that is overlooked: H&S. I didnt pay them any attention, and Finsreef 'pittied the foo'... they are less $$$ than a korallin, easier to use than most, and built very well.

Best output: Deltec. IF best means which has the highest output, it would have to be the Deltec. I have seen their fluidized design achieve outputs well above 70dkh, more than 2x what many other reactors are able to do. These things just have the highest raw output of anything I have seen, and that is what counts in my book as 'BEST'. The pump is on the top/side however, so many people complain that its hard to work on like a Korallin, but the pump is put up there for a reason, to prevent the media from ever backwashing into the pump, AND unlike many reactors that need complete removal of the media to clean things like sponges, the Deltec doesnt use any (its fluidized), and is self cleaning... so all you do it open a small cap on the top and add more media for refills... so its actually less of a chore to refill than any other reactor I have had/seen. Of the Korallin and the Deltec, I have to say, I love the Deltec. The output is amazing.

TexasTodd · #31 09/30/2006, 08:13 AM

Great information! Thank you hahnmiester, good feedback.

I also was happy to see the link to Austin Oceans as Brent Barr's designs are top notch in my book.

Chris you're the second one to mention buying a special pump to feed a Schuran reactor, to me that's a pretty big extra expense on top of the unit. Makes me lean toward a BARR, GEO, or Deltec.

Keep um coming!

Todd

wakesetter · #32 09/30/2006, 09:31 AM

I have used at tons of precision marines and several Korallin and a few others. I really like the Precisin Marine, but lately I have been getting leaks out of the eheims, that is frustrating.

I really do not like the Korallin, lots of little problems with them for me. Leaks, vapor lock, leaks, lame tubing, leaks.

This week I tried an octopus from Pacific Coast Imports and so far I like it. Great price, reverse flow. The only thing I don't like is the cheap plastic screws on the lid. I broke one installing it and could not use it until I could find some replacement parts. I am not sure about the chinese knockoff pump and it is kind of lame how you have to put it together.

Hope this helps. Probably just adds to the confusion.

bskiba · #33 09/30/2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wakesetter

This week I tried an octopus from Pacific Coast Imports and so far I like it. Great price, reverse flow. The only thing I don't like is the cheap plastic screws on the lid. I broke one installing it and could not use it until I could find some replacement parts. I am not sure about the chinese knockoff pump and it is kind of lame how you have to put it together.

Hope this helps. Probably just adds to the confusion.

I have one of these on its way to me. What do you think of the build? how do you have yours setup (plumbed)? What other reactor is it similar to?

waldomas · #34 09/30/2006, 12:41 PM

I have a 180 gal. and use a MRC-2 and love it! I am lightly stocked with stonies, but once I set it, I havent touched it in a year! I do have a 10 lb. CO2 bottle though. Whatever you get, make sure it has a second chamber to raise the Ph of the effluant before it goes into youre tank. My Ph is alway at 8.2 and I dont use any buffer. Also mt calcium and magnesium are right in line! I highly recommend the MRC-2. BTW, I put a probe in the recirc line and hooked that to the contrller. Makes it really simple. Just set the controller to 7.0, drip the effluant 2 drips/3 seconds, and youre good to go.

hahnmeister · #35 09/30/2006, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TexasTodd
Great information! Thank you hahnmiester, good feedback.

I also was happy to see the link to Austin Oceans as Brent Barr's designs are top notch in my book.

Chris you're the second one to mention buying a special pump to feed a Schuran reactor, to me that's a pretty big extra expense on top of the unit. Makes me lean toward a BARR, GEO, or Deltec.

Keep um coming!

Todd

Glad to help, and as I read on, I realize I should have mentioned the Barr/Austin Oceans right there with the GEO for 'Built like a tank'.

But seriously, if you want something that throws out some serious performance, the Deltec is still the best. To me, having the secondary chamber just says you didnt get the main chamber right in the first place, so thats why I sometimes ding makers like MRC/PM... sometimes the secondary effluent chamber can actually lower the output (it buffers the water too much and the calcium re-deposits inside the effluent chamber rather than making it to the tank) depending on the media/flow. A good single chamber, high flow main reactor seems to be the best performance-wise. and eheim pumps tend to work better as well. They run cooler, and so the calcium doesnt deposit as much inside the pump like say... a Mag3 or 5 would. Remember, calcium goes into solution better when cool unlike alot of other salts, and heating it up causes it to deposit.... so a cooler running pump is a longer running pump with regards to calcium reactors.

TexasTodd · #36 09/30/2006, 02:35 PM

Thanks again Hahnmeister. Yes I learned the CA in solution through Kalk with the temps.

I'm leaning more to the Deltec now. They're not that much more and with my BB system my ph is never low. It's usually borderline too high if anything, so without a second chamber, if it brings my average ph down some, it's actually a little bit "good".

The only problem seem to be the Deltec only comes with an Ehiem if you get the largest model. I wish they'd put that pump on the other 3.

Todd

makoJ · #37 09/30/2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 3.99AfterTaxes
Check it out:

who makes this??????

makoJ · #38 10/01/2006, 08:39 PM

bump

McCrary · #39 10/01/2006, 09:05 PM

Looks like a custom job. I can't imagine the size tank that goes on. It looks like it would hold 50+ lbs of media.

Zoom · #40 10/01/2006, 09:12 PM

So we have this thing correctly about the Deltec CR.
First they now have sponges top and bottom no more a small hole to add media the whole top comes off just turn the top and is out you can then add the media and clean the top sponge.
the output of the reactor is so strong over 70-80 outflow DKH you only need to run the C02 for 6- 8 hours when the light are on your reef . They run aquabee pumps and not Eheims.
They also have a inflow filter so you don't get the sponges clog with junk, when the filter get dirty just take it out and wash it.

manofcoral · #41 10/01/2006, 09:55 PM

I also use a Korallin 1502 on my 180g sps and I holds the ph at 2 and ca and alk perfect. I just chang the media once every six month. I use ARM media. I have never had any problems.

Paul<><

manofcoral · #42 10/01/2006, 09:56 PM

Sorry the PH is held a 8.2. Bad typing.

Paul<><

hahnmeister · #43 10/02/2006, 12:08 AM

Zoom, both aquabees and eheims are used by the Deltecs. Depending on the model, they may have a small fill cap. The probe holder on some models doubles as a quick fill cap. The sponges are included because in the past some people would use other medias that could get sucked in the pump... so the sponges are if you use other brands of media, but not needed if you stick with their media.

Zoom · #44 10/02/2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hahnmeister
Zoom, both aquabees and eheims are used by the Deltecs. Depending on the model, they may have a small fill cap. The probe holder on some models doubles as a quick fill cap. The sponges are included because in the past some people would use other medias that could get sucked in the pump... so the sponges are if you use other brands of media, but not needed if you stick with their media.

i don't think Eheim pumps are use by Deltec in any of there new calcium reactors that i saw .
It is no way you can put a media in the small hole at the probe holder because is a perforated plate on the top of the reactor now that it hold the top sponge in place.
Deltec had problems with there OWN calcium reactor Media getting in the pump housing before on a start up and get the pump jammed up that is the main reason they have sponges now.
I have a new Deltec 601 CR it is no way you can add a media without getting the top off

but it is only 1/4 of a turn and is off.

hahnmeister · #45 10/02/2006, 01:31 PM

I thought the largest 1001 still used an eheim 1260 pump?

Zoom · #46 10/02/2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hahnmeister
I thought the largest 1001 still used an eheim 1260 pump?

I did not see the 1001 at Dougs warehouse the ones he had there they all had the AB pumps but they may have use the Eheim pump on the1001 it most be a monster reactor.

McCrary · #47 10/02/2006, 03:41 PM

Would a Deltec calcium reactor be worth the price jump from a Geo? Are they that much better?

hefeweizan · #48 10/20/2006, 08:27 AM

bump

tanya72806 · #49 10/20/2006, 09:46 AM

turbo i would go with the jetstream I have had a handfull of diffrent ones and the jetstream is by far the best I have onwed

jamesdawson · #50 10/20/2006, 11:48 AM

Jetstreams are certainly the nicest mass-produced reactors out there. The problem with them is that they really can't do more than maybe a 180 gallon tank IME.

James