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calcium reactor vs kalk doser

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Armydog, Jun 5, 2015.

  1. Jun 5, 2015 #1
    Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

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    So whats the difference between the 2?

    Is it the same concept?
     
  2. Jun 5, 2015 #2
    FishBrain New London

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    calcium reactor is capable of adding way more calcium and alkalinity to the system.
     
  3. Jun 5, 2015 #3
    Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

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    So if i have lots of lps, zoas, leathers with very few sps maybe like 10 pieces do i even need a calcium reactor? I have an auto water changer that does 5 gallons a day
     
  4. Jun 6, 2015 #4
    Dave Des Moines Area

    Dave Experienced Reefkeeper

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    If you can maintain your calcium with kalk (or kalk + vinegar) then you don't need a calcium reactor but can add one if you want to. If kalk can't keep up with your tank's needs then you can add (or go to) a calcium reactor or dose 2-part to pick up the slack.
     
  5. Jun 6, 2015 #5
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    Yeah, what @Dave@Dave said. Kalk is simple. I use an avast marine kalk stirrer and have it hooked through my ATO controlled by the apex. For my corals right now it keeps up with demand just fine.

    I would definitely give kalk a shot, then add something else in addition to it if you can't keep up with the demands of you r system. It is cheap, pretty fool proof to set up, and it works.
     
  6. Jun 6, 2015 #6
    FishBrain New London

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    what they said
     
  7. Jun 7, 2015 #7
    Armydog

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    Yeah i used to dose kalk never had any problems. Im thinking with the new regulator it will work like its supposed to and ill officially be good with this reactor.

    I just hope there isnt any more problems...
     
  8. Jun 7, 2015 #8
    jeremy Davenport, IA

    jeremy Acro Addict

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    Why not just dose 2 part?
     
  9. Jun 7, 2015 #9
    Armydog

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    I already have a calcium reactor lol with all brandnew parts now.... so if i can get this dang thing to settle then hopefully maybe everything will go smooth... hopefully
     
  10. Jun 7, 2015 #10
    FishBrain New London

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    Calcium reactors are great if you can get everything diled in right. But they are finniky and have crashed a lot of tanks.
     
  11. Jun 8, 2015 #11
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Not as much, depends on the growth rate of your LPS

    That being said, the best system I ever had I just dripped in a gallon of kalkwasser every night.
     
  12. Jun 8, 2015 #12
    hart

    hart Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I run kalk and 2 part. I don't like kalk in my ATO since the evaporation varies so much in my house, so I have it running on another doser with apex. It doesn't supply enough so I also have 2 part with a stand alone doser. I run kalk along with the 2 part to keep the pH higher.

    Eventually when running the reactor if pH is lower than you want you can add kalk via another dosing pump. Just something to keep in mind.
     

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