Calcium Reactor and Kalkwasser

[akopley]

Is topping off your water with a kalkwasser device the same thing as having a calcium reactor? I am under the impression that they both help maintain good calcium levels. Whats the difference between the two and what is better?

[JRFowler]

kalkwasser addition and calcium reactors r totally different things.. kalkwasser is a solution added via auto top up to maintain calcium..

whilst a calcium reactor (which I use) is basically a reactor filled with media that when dissolved releases calcium and other trace elements in small amounts..

the only thing is u need to use co2 with a calcium reactor in order for the media to dissolve, co2 lowers the ph inside the reactor which helps the media dissolve leaving high traces of calcium in the effluent to ur tank..

the thing with calcium reactors is there great at maintaining not only calcium, but alkilinity too.. so I would go for the reactor if u can afford the setup..

[akopley]

Thats the thing i want to provide for my corals but a calcium reactor is so damn expensive. If i do only kalkwassar will that be enough to keep my corals happy?