Dose B-Ionic -vs- CA Reactor

[Dominican]

Ok, so several months back I got a Deltec 601 calcium reactor, and bought a brand new 10lb CO2 kit from Aquacave. However, idiot me burned up the Aquabee while trying to tune it, and now I'm having trouble finding a replacement... (I can explain how it happened if anyone wants to see me squirm :)

Meanwhile, I got to thinking - would it be simpler to get a dosing system and dose the two part B-Ionic? I've heard/seen good results with dosing, and it's less of an electricity load. I could sell off the brand new CO2 kit, and recoup enough to bring down the cost of the doser. Also, I don't know how fast people go through 2 gallons of BIonic. I've seen that amount selling for $27 recently..

Right now water changes have been almost, but not quite, adequate for maintaining the calc load. It does dip down to 380 within the week before monthly water changes, and my Alkalinity gets down to 10dkh sometimes. They pop back at water change.. I'm getting pretty good SPS growth and plan to start up another thread soon with before/after SPS growth pics to see how my progress measures up.

I know there have been past threads on the topic, but I'd like to hear what everybody thinks.. Thanks!

[Robb_in_Austin]

I guess it comes down to how much 'automation' you want.

Also, don't forget about the DIY 2 part solutions out there. Might make it even cheaper.

Good luck,
Robb

[Goofball310]

b-ionics is a great product to use during the beginning stages of a tank, but as calcium requirements grow so does the cost.

your calcium requirements don't sound too demanding right now and will probably only require you to dose the minimum amount everyday or two.

here is a link to a new pump for your reactor:

http://www.guppysaquariumproducts.com.au/aqua-bee-up-pump/cat_68.html

i was reading reviews of your reactor and it seems that the pumps burning out is a very common problem. there is a review on marine depot of a customer converting their reactor to use a eheim pump.

dialing in a reactor should really only take few minutes and will provides weeks of maintenance free work until you have to refill the chamber with subtrate.

[Dominican]

Thanks a TON for that link. For some reason, every place I got a hold of is selling them for a lot more. You're probably right. It was just discouraging burning up that pump, considering some of the outrageous prices out there.

I'll buy a replacement and give it another shot. I burned my pump up using water from a water change to dial in the reactor. The water ran out while I was at work (!), so the pump went dry... Guess I was being overcautious. I'm terrified of hosing my tank; think I'll see if someone here can help me when the time comes...

[Mr Cob]

I water change 5% every week on my 120gal system and my calcium never goes below 500. I have 3 medium sized SPS colonies and about 25 frags of SPS along with a full load of softies and LPS.

I also have a Kent drip system setup for dripping should I need to start dripping once the colonies get larger and deplete the calcium supply faster.

So far the small weekly water changes have sufficed.
http://www.f3images.com/IMD/85/KM2515/KM2515_99.jpg


pic from reefcorner .com

http://www.reefcorner.com/images/Kalkwasser.jpg