Calcium Reactors

[edandsandy]

What kind of reactor do you use?
Any opinion on any specific reactors?
which one is better thank the rest?
single or double barrel?
do you need a phosoband reactor?
what media do you use?
we are doing some on-line research, it is over whelming on what to buy!
so we decided to go to our friends here at RC.

[marxxx]

I am curious to see the answers for this questions as well.

[DamnPepShrimp]

I'm with you two as well. They should really make a sticky on Ca reactors, since the search never works.

[slowsoaks]

I use a GEO120. Good price, easy to setup and service. I like the upflow feature and being able to put a pH probe in the reactor. I used a Deltec phosphate reactor. I have had a pro-cal calcium reactor before and have found that you need a really good regulator to enjoy a well built calcium reactor.

[edandsandy]

anyone????????????????????

[saltysupply]

Korallin and Geo reactors would be my vote...they are affordable, durable and easy to use.

[KurtsReef]

I have a GEO that I picked up used, no markings as to which model it is. Works fine...only experience I have is with this model. I do drip limewater at night else the ph drops too low and the reactor shuts off.

Phosban reactor is a seperate discussion, I could not get rid of phosphates without using one and find it to be a great piece of equipment. Actually run two of them now one with carbon and one with phosban. Just bought another 'brand name' of the same media as phosban but have not used it yet.

[edandsandy]

I have heard that the GEO was ok, I will do more research on that product.

[edandsandy]

bump....
any one else need more input!

[McCrary]

I use a GEO 624 as my calcium reactor.

[edandsandy]

McCrary
thanks, GEO seems to be the winner here.

[dsquared]

GEO 618. GREAT piece of equipment.
Large grain GEN-X media.
Dave

[edandsandy]

Thanks again
we purchased the 618 Calcium Reactor by GEO,
and all the fixin's last night. This is what the tank get's for Christmas!

[edandsandy]

Just want to be sure I didn't forget anything,
this is what I ordered last night:
co2 cylinder
regulator w/ solenoid & bubble counter
ph controller by Milwaukee
calcium media
tubing
check valve
geo 618

[edandsandy]

..

[oldimpala]

E&S-

That pretty much hits it; you shouldn't need anything more. I bought a few needle valves and a pile of tubing from Lowes (1/8" Icemaker Tubing) to plumb it all in, as mine is external.

And if I told you I was running a Geo 618; that'd probably be beating a dead horse..

Love the thing; truly a set-and-forget device.



-Andy

[HDAlien]

Geo 618, couldn't be happier.

[das75]

diy, one of the simpler builds

[edandsandy]

Thanks everyone!

[edandsandy]

OK everything arrived today, we will be installing the equipment tomorrow. can't wait!!!!,
I still have 1 more question! how is the PH added? do I still have to add it?

[edandsandy]

.

[netboy]

What do you mean by added? You inject co2 into reactor to lower the PH of the water which in turn starts to dissolve the media. Is that what you are asking?

[edandsandy]

yes, thanks........
I'm still a newbie, always learning and asking!

[edandsandy]

Well, we installed everything. It took longer than we thought. We are so happy! We will be taking pictures of the corals with a plastic ruler to measure the growth. I will post soon.

[reef / aholic]

Make sure that your calcium reactor is dumping your effluent into the area of the skimmer intake which will help blow off excessive CO2 and help control the decline in pH.