Calcium Reactor on your 20g?

[bluetang1]

Are any of you, using a reactor on your 20g nano? I have recently built a couple and am looking for some feedback from those whom have them on there's. Pros and Cons?
Thanks
Rob

 

[Anonymous]

I'd be hesitant to do it because of the costs. I've definitely considered it, but decided to go with Kalk or 2 part additives instead. Can you post pics/diagrams of your reactors?

 

[skylsdale]

http://www.myreefcreations.com/canano.htm

pH fluctuations could be a problem--getting a ton of water/air disturbance in the sump might help. I would definitely get a pH controller to make sure the CO2 tank shuts off if something goes wrong.

 

[Anonymous]

Damn you people, I swear, damn you. I'm hiding my credit card and pretending I never saw this thread.

It looks like a very affordable and nice product. I know Andy (is it Andy?) over at MRC has a great reputation for customer service. I think I'll have to give one of these a go and give it a product review

 

[skylsdale]

Just doing my job to continue draining the wallets of college students across America (I'm hoping to go international soon).

It looks like really good product, and I've heard nothing but great things about Andy. I'm putting in an order for a skimmer and larger reactor setup from him soon--I'll let you know what I think.

 

[ricky1414]

Just stumbled across this. Just when I promised my wife that I wouldn't spend anymore of "her" money...

 

[bluetang1]

Here is a couple of pics of my DIY Reactor. One pic shows it below and the other shows it beside the tank. I currently have the efluent dripping into the intake of the Skimmer.

 

[holry7778]

Wow, that is a really nice looking DIY reactor

 

[Anonymous]

Bluetang,
Can you post some more pics of your tank? Very nice looking! Is that a pair of royal grammas in there? And do you have an open top?

 

[skylsdale]

Looks like a gramma and a 6-line to me...

 

[bluetang1]

It is an open top. I only have one royal gramma in there. Here is the tank stats.
Hardwear
20g tank
Bakpak skimmer
Coralife 130watt PC lighting
2 - 301 power heads
Calcium reactor (Ocean Aquastics style)
5lb bottle
Sumping the tank in a couple months
Live stock
Branching Hammer coral, GreenOpen Brain, Red Open Brain, Grape coral, Leather coral, GSP's,Trumpet coral,
Moon coral(Brain), Montipora Digita, BTA
Fish
Royal Gramma, Tank Breed Clown, Six Line Wrasse.

This pic was taken a couple weeks ago. I have since done some renovating. I will post more when I get my tank cleaned and get a couple good shots.

 

[holry7778]

very nice

 

[bluetang1]

Alright, A small problem happened last night. The Mag pump I am using on my reactor, decided it would start to leak. So after soaking up a gallon or so of water, I'm off to get a new pump.(under waranty of course)
I got the glass cleaned. So here is some Up to date pics taken tonight.

 

[JeromeBaker]

I have been considering getting a Calcium Reactor for my 20 for quite some time but your DIY model looks pretty good. How much for a ready to run unit less the Co2 tank?

 

[bluetang1]

JeromeBaker, You have PM.
I did make a couple more as i bought too much material.

 

[JeromeBaker]

Cool. Now you do

 

[Anonymous]

Is it worth having a Ca reactor on a 20? I have a 20 with SPS and LPS, is it worth it?

 

[hillbilly]

If your tanks not crammed full of CA loving corals, then you don't really need it. If you do and getting tired of dosing all time, it can make your life easier, and the tank more stable. You can screw up your alk with a reactor on small tank easily though, one must be careful.

 

[bluetang1]

Alk is one drawback definatly. I am currently having problems with keeping it stable. Right now it is through the roof yet my effluent is only at 7.2PH. I tuned the reactor back even more so we'll see what happens in a couple days.

 

[Anonymous]

Exactly my fear..And I do have a tank of Ca loving coral..I think i'll keep dosing for now..that seems to be working ok that way