for those who have Ca Reactors

skunkmere said:
you should just get a doser. Calcium reactors are a pain. i had one and i went to saturated kalk with vinegar. have you tried vinegar? you can dose 3 tsp per gallon with 15ml of vinegar per tsp. so 225ml of vinegar, 15tsp of kalk, with 5g of ro.
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I want to get away from doser, I'm looking for someting more of a "set it and forget it", which is why I'm asking the crew here. Pick the wrong setup and it can be a pain, but from what I've heard, get a good reactor (size too) and the right valve/solenoid combo and it works well.
 
I learnt this the hard way, for optimal setup make sure you have a PH controller to maintain the PH in the reactor chamber to 6.5. I maintain it at 6.4-6.7 depending on the media. Even if your regulator fails/ bubble count fail the PH controller will maintain the right PH for the media to dissolve.

Too much CO2 = too low PH = mushy media = garbage.
Too little CO2 = higher PH = Media does not dissolve.

I felt gauging by just bubble count & guesstimating the PH in chamber is a bad idea. I don't bother much on the bubble count, just let the PH controller maintain the PH.
 
Aquarium plants regulator is the only way to go. I never ever ever ever have to play with mine once dialed in. No bubble count, no stuck needle.

Come over and see it if you want.
 
gig said:
so premium aquatics sells a nice package with a good discount on the GEO 618 with everything I need, except it comes with a pH controller, which I would like to swap out with a simple pH probe as I use an apex and dont need the controller.

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/PA-GEO618HD.html
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That is an down flow reactor. I'd look to purchasing a up flow reactor. It uses less CO2 & better design overall. Check out....
http://www.saltysupply.com/Geo-Calc...c_feed&utm_campaign=comparison_shopping_feeds

I have an Up flow reactor & like Matt mentioned, it is lesser maintenance as we
 
get a korralin have had mine going for 14 years , and the new ones are the exact same.... the plus's= never adjusted...just feet it with airline tubing and an aqua lifter really truly set and forget.Never been replaced, unlike a half dozen skimmers, the technology in calcium reactors has not advanced...they are also super effiecient on CO2, eheim pump just works, and parts are easy to find...

you can skip the ph controller, once you set it up you won't have to play with it, everyone says to get one, but really once you figure out your demand, set the flow rate, you never mess with it.


180 tank 55 sump 40 fuge... i recommend the course media, the smaller stuff turns slushy and requires changing more often...
the spent media is good for clam beds
 
thinkfuture said:
That is an down flow reactor. I'd look to purchasing a up flow reactor. It uses less CO2 & better design overall. Check out....
http://www.saltysupply.com/Geo-Calc...c_feed&utm_campaign=comparison_shopping_feeds

I have an Up flow reactor & like Matt mentioned, it is lesser maintenance as we
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I'm fairly sure the 618 is a bottom (aka reverse flow), if I was going to spend the money on the 818, I'd like buy the AE ones that Matt sells, but I wanted to stay around $400, not $600 for the reactor itself. :)
 
When ever I set up a new and larger aquarium I will use industrial grade perilistic pump to supply water to the reactor.

I would always recommend some type of control for your CO2. It would be like driving around with no brakes!
 
RedDevil.258 said:
When ever I set up a new and larger aquarium I will use industrial grade perilistic pump to supply water to the reactor.

I would always recommend some type of control for your CO2. It would be like driving around with no brakes!
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without a doubt I'll be controlling it, I totally agree, Its too much like rolling the dice. I'm also considering plumbing a feed from the return
 
gig said:
I'm fairly sure the 618 is a bottom (aka reverse flow), if I was going to spend the money on the 818, I'd like buy the AE ones that Matt sells, but I wanted to stay around $400, not $600 for the reactor itself. :)
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You are right, it is Up flow. Sorry I misread.
Why don't you check out the selling forum on RC, Calc reactors are always available for great deals. Calc reactors is the most depreciable piece of equipment.
 
thinkfuture said:
You are right, it is Up flow. Sorry I misread.
Why don't you check out the selling forum on RC, Calc reactors are always available for great deals. Calc reactors is the most depreciable piece of equipment.
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yeah, been looking, some that I missed out on, but nothing I want to go for yet. thanks!
 
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