Calcium Reactor\Nilsen Reactor?

[Perzel]

I've heard that you should not have your Calcium reactor effluent dose into the same area as your Nilsen reactor (example: having both effluents emptying into the sump).

Is this true? If so, why?

Can you have both effluents drip into the sump?

Should you have one empty into the overflow box and one empty into the sump?

[hiddendragonet]

Sorry I'm not much help at actually answering your question, but...

Don't you think having a Nilsen reactor AND a calcium reactor is a little redundant? Why do you think you need both? I think that unless you have really high calcium needs, you'd be fine with one or the other. FWIW

[Perzel]

When running a calcium reactor you run the risk (especially @ night) of a large pH drop. Dosing with Kalk will help to conteract the pH drop thus maintaiing a more stable pH.

[hiddendragonet]

Well, sure, you run a risk. But the risk is mitigated by proper reactor tuning. Similarly you run the risk of a large pH spike running a Nilsen reactor. But it can be avoided by careful dosing.

Why not just run a Nilsen if you're worried about low pH? It would be a heck of a lot cheaper.

[Wilafur]

if you were to get a comparable CA reactor vs a nielson reactor, the cost will be about the same, if not more, for a nielson reactor. this assumes that you go higher tech and use a magnet stirrer, a nice looking acrylic reservoir and a litermiter doser.

[hiddendragonet]

For the reactor, sure. But there's the CO2 tank and regulator that cost a pretty penny.

[Wilafur]

CA reactor: $190 (myreef)
regulator: $100
CO2 10lb: $80
recirc. pump: $40
feeder pump: $15
media: $30
CO2 tubing: $5

TOTAL $460


Nielson reactor: $225 (myreef) includes magnetic stirrer
Litermeter: $235
custom acrylic reservoir: $100+
kalk: $10
misc tubing: $5

TOTAL: $575

[golfish]

There are lots of things to consider in the price of both. The calcium reactor needs the C02 setup and probably runs close to 400.00 to setup. The Nilsen reactor is a lot cheaper to setup if you use a pump mixed unit over the mag stirrer and IMO, the pump mixing units work better. You also need some kind of dosing pump. These can be setup for as little as 150.00 and as high as 500.00 depending on the setup.

BTW, I have both reactors effluent feeding into my sump. One at each end.

[hiddendragonet]

golfish, do you have both reactors set up in an effort to regulate pH, or is your calcium reactor not keeping up with your Ca demands? Awesome tank, BTW!