Calcium VS. Kalk reactors

[Stephen]

1. What are the pro's and con's and benifits of each?
2. Does anyone use a Kalk reactor?
3. How hard would it be to make either one?
4. If there is a size for either, what would be the optimul size for a 55g ?


I have a 55g reef tank with 2-175w MH, 2-96w atinic PC's, a large Rio in the sump and 2 360gph PH, and a seaclone skimmer in the sump.

Thanks, Stephen

[JimD]

Theres a pretty good definition of kalk reactors in the DIY forum about half way down. I know for fact that several members here use them with great success, myself included. Many feel that the ideal setup is to use both a kalk reactor and a Ca reactor, depending on the load. If youre interested, I have some kalk reactors available.
Jim

[Jimnorris]

I use one of JIMD's kalk reactors on my Texas 240 gallon nano. In addistion I use ESV B- ionics. IMO there is nothing better! Simple. simple and simple. I changed over from using a calcium reactor. With the system I now have my calcium, alk and PH is right where I want them. My tank is packed with sps corals so my calcium demand is very high---yet I am able to to keep it at 450!!!!!
Jim

[JimD]

Josh,
I tried to PM you but Im not sure my Pms are getting thru for some reason, I really dont want to quote a price here because I dont think this is the correct forum, if you want, feel free to email me and Ill be more than happy to answer any questions you may have including price, but I can assure you, you wont find a reactor that works anywhere near as good as these for the money. jim-delisio@webtv.net

[matt]

Most reefkeepers would say, I believe, that a calcium reactor is the easiest way to keep up with high-demand tanks. Kalk reactors are the preferred way of dosing KW, which on it's own will typically not provide anough calcium and carbonate ions for coral-packed tanks, although the reactors supposedly really improve KW dosing over the typical drip method. So, I guess that's a benefit of both, but particularly calcium reactors. Some people have ph suppression with calcium reactors, but I had a ph problem (too high!) when dripping KW in my old tank. In general, though, ph issues are a downside to calcium reactor use.

As far as building either, it's not too difficult. There are lots of DIY plans on the web; check reefcentral and reefs.org.

As far as size goes, I don't know much about kalkreactors, but almost any decent commercially available calcium reactor should easily handle a 55 gallon tank. I'm a fan of bigger capacity calcium reactors, though, because you can run a bigger one at a higher ph and still get enough calcium and carbonate into a given tank size/load with a larger media capacity. The first one I made has a 12" tall, 6" diameter reaction tube, holding about a gallon of media. That would be plenty for your tank.

One thing about calciumreactors that's a downside is the initial cost. You have to buy a CO2 bottle and regulator, adding at least $150 to the initial investment. But, the CO2 lasts at least year and then costs about $10 to get filled; a gallon of media costs $20 or less and would last about a year in your tank. So, once you buy the set up, it's very inexpensive. KW mix can be pricey, but I always used pickling lime, which is exactly the same thing and costs about 1/10 as much as kent KW mix.

Overall, I'm much happier with the calcium reactor as opposed to dripping KW. My corals adjusted easily to the lower ph, and the growth has really improved. And it's way less hassle. I've never used a KW reactor, so I can't comment.

One thing, if you build a kalkreactor, remember that the ph in it will be around 11. For this reason, you better use some seriously chemical resistant material for the bottom. I'm not sure, but I bet acrylic wouldn't last in that setting. Just a guess. I think there's some plastic that's specifically used for caustic environments, and the better kalkreactors line the bottom with that stuff. Not sure what it is, though.

Matt

[MikeP]

Doesn't kalk help to precipitate out phosphates or something? What was that that it helped with, I can't remember.

Supposedly - I am sure I can find the workign formula for it. I used to drip add it to keep PH and calcium up. In a large Ca hungry stony tank I know some people have added Kalkreactors to supplement but they really cannot maintain Ca/Alk like a good Ca Reactor without some other kind of supplement like JimN mentioned (2 part like BIonic etc).

I too have a JimD special and have it inline with the topoff from my osmolator so it pushes top off water from the ro/di resevoir through the kalk reactor to top off with a moderately saturated kalkwasser solution. This works real well for me since the osmolator is so darn accurate but I have heard horror stories of conventional float switch kalk topoffs getting stuck and nuking the tank from overdose.

The Korallin reactor I have is going in this week (had to DIY a gasket - apparently the proper size o ring was not available) to work in conjunction with the Kalk unit - I also got a controller so hoping I can keep my PH steady as well as ca / alk levels.

[Stephen]

Thanks for the tips and info. I'm currently using the Kent CB with good results, but I want something to push it way up. I have lots of coraline and see lots of new growth on my clam, but my stonies are just holding steady.

Thanks again everyone.

[JimD]

Stephen,
I responded to your PM, let me know if you received it.