Help me with a clacium reactor....

[mathias]

I don't know where to start... so if we can get a thread started about how to get a calcium reactor and which one to get and how to set it up...

[Richard]

Well you could just get a kit that has everything you need like the PM kit
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=PMCRP2

Or you could just buy the components seperately. I use the PM Ca Reactor and have no complaints but you could probably find someone here (like Ace) to build you one for cheaper. Then just get a regulator and a co2 tank. For better control over the bubble rate you could also get a dwyer flometer or Red Sea came out with these...
http://www.redseafish.com/Product.asp?dir=y&CatId=98&SubID=68&proID=286

I just tee off my main pump to feed tank water to the reactor but you can use a seperate pump or a gravity feed (although that idea scares me).

Once you get the equipment you'll see that it is pretty simple piece of equipment.

[Richard]

Oh, some of the regulators I have used have really sucked as far as controlling the bubble rate goes. This one has worked pretty well for me... http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idProduct=CO3111

[Bill S]

Why don't you just get Ace to build you one?

[mathias]

wow expensive ..... like always lol....

If ace can build me one I would be interested the tank is only a 125 gal tank...

[caferacermike]

The expensive parts are the gear, not so much the reactor. $100 for a good pump, $150 for the regulator, $80 for a tiny 5lb canister, extra hose, fittings, bubble counters, precision meters or valves, etc... Not to mention something to regulate it all if you want it precise. A good PH monitor/regulator starts at $150 and goes way up. If you have or want wave makers, light timers and now need a PH regulator it might be time to invest in an Aqua JR type controller to just do it all. Some people do not monitor their CA reactors and just let them be. Dial in the effluent and just let it go. I've read to many times here on MAAST of reactor problems and turning the media to mush, in fact there is one right now, that could possibly have been prevented with a controller as CO2 production would have ceased. Another consideration is do you want an effluent chamber? The effluent that comes out has drastically different PH and characteristics then tank water. An effluent chamber helps dissipitate some of that and helps correct the balances before adding it all to the tank.

[hobogato]

shoot me a pm with a phone # and we'll talk about it

[jc]

Ace, what do you use to drip the effluent back into the tank? I am having a hard time keeping the flow steady using a pinch type valve on the tubing.

[mathias]

ouch all that hurt my head....

[hobogato]

i have my reactor fed by a maxijet with an inline ball vavle so i can put enough head pressure on the pump to slow the flow down to a just faster than a steady drip. then, on the effluent going from the first chamber to the second, i used pressure line with a small ball valve inline to cut the flow back as slow as needed on the final effluent.

[mathias]

what yall think about http://www.geosreef.com/index.html

???