CA Reactor

[StephenA]

I've been researching Ca reators for my 120. I've found dual or single, with or without a controller. Multiple CO2 tanks, etc. Anywhere from $500 to $1200.

What do I really need? And what should I spend?

[matt]

The reactors I build are large capacity single tubes. I'm not convinced that the second "static" tube is a benefit; it may be, but my suspicion is that many manufacturers add this to compensate for design problems in the primary chamber. Someday I'll do some tests to see if they really do improve performance. The idea that they raise effluent ph by absorbing CO2 is not anything that's proven (and if your set up is working right, there's no CO2 in the effluent to absorb anyway), and there is the fact that calcium and carbonate solubility is entirely ph dependent, meaning if you raise the effluent ph before exiting the reactor, you're likely to lower the effluent alkalinity, which kind of defeats the purpose of a calcium reactor. Maybe this summer I can run some tests.

I've posted on previous threads lots of stuff about reactor design and you can search for those if you're interested. The main things, I think, are to have enough capacity to allow for excellent contact time, enough circulation within the reactor to ensure good media saturation, (pressure pump!) and a reliable CO2 delivery system, which means either dwyer flowmeter or a really good needle valve. As far as the controller goes, I would opt no on that. Once you get your reactor dialed in, you really want a consistent ph; if your reactor ph fluctuates, you have problems that the controller doesn't really control. It shuts off and turns on the CO2 flow, which means your reactor ph will "see-saw". This is because the CO2 adjustment is pretty delicate, and if you shut it off and on, it will never be exactly where you had it set the first time. You're better off just buying a set up that will stay steady. Now, there are solenoids that simply shut off the CO2 during a power outage. If you exerience fairly frequent outages, that's a good thing.

In terms of spending, that's up to you. Get a big one, though, that holds at least 12lbs of media. Bigger is better, you'll have better contact time and get higher effluent dkh at a given flow rate/ph. $1200 for a reactor set up, even with a CO2 tank and the world's best regulator, is pretty **** steep. I wish they cost that! hehe...

[Bigreefer]

I got the single chamber south bay reactor for $229 from Jeff's exotic fish. The needle valve, solenoid, and regulator are $149. Then you just need to find a tank. I bought one locally for $75. He also sells the KR2 as a complete Kit for $600.

One year of running it and I'm still happy. Calcium is 420, PH is 8.1-8.3.

I did buy the pinpoint controller but am not using it to control the reactor any more. I found that it was much more consistent to run the reactor for three hours a day stopping two hours before the lights go out.

Since my PH is good, I’ve seen no reason to run a second chamber. If I had PH problems, I’d probably add a kalkreactor before adding a second chamber.

http://www.exoticfish.com/