Good Calcium Reactors

[greasemonkey]

Does anyone have an opinion on which calcium reactor would be the best for a 30- 50 gal tank. I have a 30 gal sw tank with only 2 blue green chromis and frogspawn. I want to get a squamosa clam and some sps although I know I more flow for the sps. I am currently running a 175 watt MH 20k XM on a 29 gal.

I am new to this so I expect some troubles but know that this is a learning expirience. I want to set up my 55 gal for clams and sps, but long story short, are there any good calcium reactors that will keep up with a 55 gal system and not cause all the problems I have read about on this site.

My favorite animals are these clams Ive seen. I sure would like to hear what I can do to make them feel at home.



Currently I have 29 gal with a 175 watt 20k XM with 35lbs rock, 2blue green chromis, and a frogspawn. This system has been up and running for 1.5 years. Its time to expand.

[GaryP]

Drop matt a PM. He's our resident expert on calcium reactors.

Gary

[StephenA]

I have a Precision Marine Cal Reactor. I'd go with one from Matt they hold more material.

[CD]

I want to set up my 55 gal for clams and sps

This actually brings up a question from me too, and may help greasemonkeysatx at the same time...We wanted to get a squamosa, maxima or derasa for our tank too (eventually), but were holding off because I had read that they only flourish in a well established tank. Our tank has been stable for four months now, and we have a fuge, (note: fish, SPS, zoos, hawaiian FD, anemone, etc. are ALL happy and flourishing) but we were still hesitant to get one until our tank had been running for a year or so. Is what I've read true? Would a clam in a "newish" set up not make it? Our calcium levels hover around 400 even with dosing. Is that enough to keep a clam happy? Would a reactor resolve that problem...or is that actually a problem? We would rather see the calcium at 450. Better?

Wendy

[matt]

For a tank that small, I'd consider using kalkwasser rather than a calcium reactor, unless your lighting is really intense and you have a lot of stony corals. (That combination results in a high calcium demand) You could use a "kalk reactor" and you'd probably have no problem keeping up with demand. I'd be a little concerned about ph issues with most calcium reactors in a tank that size, especially if you're not running a big skimmer.

If you do buy a calcium reactor, try to find one that has at least a 10-12 lb media capacity and GOOD internal circulation. This will allow you to run it at a slightly higher ph (maybe 6.9-7.0) while maintaining high dkh effluent (30dkh or higher) You can do this because on a small tank with a big reactor, you can use a VERY slow effluent drip which dramatically increases contact time with the media. Buying a small reactor for a small tank is not a good idea, despite the fact that it seems intuitive to do exactly that. When you have a smaller tank volume, effluent ph will have a much stronger effect on tank ph. So you need a big reactor which you can dial way back.

At least those are my theories, but as usual, I could be wrong!!!

I heard that the MACO classes may be up and running again. If you're a handy guy, you could take the class and build a reactor just like the first one I made. Who knows, maybe you'll catch the acrylic fabrication bug and start supplying MAAST members with quality stuff!

BTW, while I'm blabbing away, I have to continue spreading the rumor that I want to try building a REALLY BIG skimmer; maybe 4 times the capacity of anything I built before. We're talking about somthing that should be able to easily handle a mid-size commercial system of a couple thousand gallons. This could happen next summer. Anyone interested? It won't be cheap; tube cost alone at wholesale would exceed $500. Plus, I got to make new templates, what a PITA. But still it sounds really fun!

[greasemonkey]

For a tank that small, I'd consider using kalkwasser rather than a calcium reactor

I will research that idea.

I heard that the MACO classes may be up and running again

I would like to learn how to work acrylic. Is that class through MAAST?

[GaryP]

No, MACO does online training classes. I think that's how matt got into doing it.

I think JimD makes Kalk reactors from PVC.

Gary

[greasemonkey]

Thanks. Can anyone give me more info on those classes?

[GaryP]

Here you go.

http://www.marinecourses.com/