Calcium Reactors

[NaCl_H2O]

OK, I have done enough surfing through MAAST, RC, Marine Depot, Premium Aquatics, Aqudirect, WetWeb, Etc. to achieve that browser "Galzed Eyes" syndrome :?

I am trying to select a Ca Reactor for my 600g+ project, and would appreciate any advice, hints, and opinions on selecting the right reactor and related equipment.

And yes, Matt's is a definate possibility, but I can't research much about his ... so, Matt - please chime in!

So far, I like the Korallin 3002 or PM CR622 systems - good choices?

I am assuming a dual valve CO2 regulator w/solenoid a near necessity. Also, a PH monitor is "nice to have", but a PH controller is probably not needed (as long as I can control the solenoid with light cycles).

Size isn't a big constraint, but would like it to be no more than 30" tall.

These units come with an Eheim pump for circulation - does this pump also serve to pull/push water through the reactor, or is another pump required to feed water from the sump through the reactor?

Finally, where in the system (in/out from sump) should the reactor be placed - near or far from the return(s)?

Thanks for your help - Steve

[StephenA]

These units come with an Eheim pump for circulation - does this pump also serve to pull/push water through the reactor, or is another pump required to feed water from the sump through the reactor?

Another pump is required or you can tap off of your return line like I did.

[alexwolf]

www.myreefcreations.com makes awesome calcium reactors. Very similar to Matts.

[NaCl_H2O]

Post 4th of July "Bump" :)

Any experience out there with the Korallin 3002 or PM CR622 systems?

[StephenA]

I have a PM CR422. The first on leaked, got it replaced. So far it has been easy to setup and adjust.

[RobertG]

Whats up with that, my first one leaked also. I like the unit & its footprint, however it is overrated. I have the CR 422. I would like to get rid of it & get one of Matts, his will hold LOTS of MEDIA!!! I would think his would be a better bet than the 622... I bought the 422 when I had my 115G tank, for this size tank I think it is a great deal. Now that I have a 240G it seems a little small.

What I have gathered is you can have a unit as big as can be aslong as you provide a pump powerful enough to pull the water through consistently. Next one I get will be large, like commercially Large.

HTH

[NaCl_H2O]

First: Hey Robert - How do you like your Osmolator top off? Is the little pump adequate?

Back to Ca Reactors - I am a little confused :?

Best I can tell, the Korallin & PM reactors have an "On Board" pump to keep the effluent circulating in the reactor (under some pressure, I think), and only return effluent to the sump at a slow rate. So what's all this talk about shoving water through the reactor? Matt's reactors don't seem to have an on-board pump, and seem to be more of a "flow through" reactor.

Are there two different basic designs for Ca Reactors?

Thx - Steve

[StephenA]

Matt's have a recirculating pump just like the PM's. Most of these will take input from gravity or from another pump. I tapped mine off of me return line. I can't see the gravity method working to good. If you have the room I'd get one of Matt's, the more media it can hold the better.

[RobertG]

Steve I really like my Osmolator. I have never had anything else. A must if you ask me.

Matts, dont come with a pump.. The ehiem pump seems to do a good job on the 422, but consider the small amount of media. A 6 " tube will hold that twice of the 422's 4" chamber. I dont think the next up ehiem will be powerful enough to optimally take advantage of this amount of media. Because of the noise issue of pumps, the manufactures tend to favor something like a ehiem. Just a thought about the 622.

I tee'd my return line to feed the reactor. Dont need much to do so.

[StephenA]

Matt recommend the little giant mdq1.5 and the Pan world 30PX for his ca reactors.

[matt]

Just returned from an amazing Cozumel diving trip; now i just want to sell everything and move to a real reef...

Anyhow, if you search a bit, you'll find a bunch of my posts about reactor performance and design. I don't really feel comfortable comparing mine to the commercially available stuff, but I will say that mine, like virtually all reactors, need a circulation pump to provide internal circulation. This is usually in the 200-500 gph range depending on reactor size and quality. Most commercial units use eheim pumps for this. I've found that "real" pumps (like little giant, iwaki, pan world) with some pressure performance do better. But, they're more expensive, which is why I don't sell my reactors with pumps. Mine also work with eheim, in fact that's what I use on mine, but they do work better with pressure pumps.

For flow through the reactor, you can use either a small powerhead or tee off of your return line. Then you can restrict the output a bit, which puts a little pressure in the reactor and seems to help with keeping the CO2 dissolved, as well as providing a nice steady output.

Send me a PM if you want more info. Have fun putting your system together!

[scuba_steveo]

srodgers, if you would like you can come over tonight and see how I am plumbing my set up. I hace a reactor from matt, he installed the pump on it, and I am tapping off the return line to get water in. PM me your number if you want to come check it out.

[NaCl_H2O]

Thanks to all for educating me on CO2 reactors! I did a bunch more reading on the internet on reactors and how they work - pretty simple actually!

I ended up selecting the Korallin 3002 - I liked some of it's features and reviews I read - sorry Matt!

Thanks again to the MAAST collective!