ghostface Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 what brand Calcium Reactors are people using? anyone have a recommendation as to which model to buy for an 800l[approx] tank? what are all of the components required to get one of these puppies running? reactor regulator Co2 bottle pump bubble counter ph probe dosing pump etc or are there all-in-one kits you can get [minus the bottle of course] i am looking at getting one in the next few months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Personally I like the idea of having two dosing pumps adding calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate, rather than a calcium reactor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasp Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 One of the problems with having a calcium reactor is having to pay BOC gases extortionate rent for the Co2 bottle. However when the time comes, drop me a line I'll give you the details for guys who will sell a re-valved 2nd hand one with 10 year stamp for $200.00. Once you own the bottle they will refill it if needed, for $15.00. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostface Posted March 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 i have access to dive tanks, i have been told that one will be ok for co2, so no prob there. mailny wondering which brand/s to look at. i like the look of the deltec one, however they use special fluidised media - not sure if you can use regular media in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I run an aquamedic, it is a good price, holds std media and works very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostface Posted March 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I run an aquamedic, it is a good price, holds std media and works very well. troo, what model is it / price did you get it for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I run an aquamedic too, a 400 I think, it is well under sized for my new tank but seems to be holding it's own at the moment, I'm pretty happy with it but it was one of the cheaper one's and you do get what you pay for. IMHO you dont really need a PH probe, to set it up you just messure the PH coming out of the beast a standard test kit is fine for this. The PH probe does give you the option of using a shutoff for the CO2, but to me the huge added expense is justified. There are two "pumps" involved one is a closed loop in the reactor, this pump should come with the reactor, the other is the feed to/from the reactor. It is only a small amount of water (just a slowish drip), I (and pies) use gravity for this pump, run a line out of the display into the reactor, with a tap to regulate the flow, so no need for dosing pump. I was told by the certifier only CO2 bottles can really be used other wise the process of converting isn't with the cost. for mine I picked up an old CO2 fire extinguisher from a metal recycler for $10, the old steel ones are best if you can get them because they are more likely to pass cert due to the ali one's cracking round the neck. It was a while a while ago now but the bottle cost me about $145 including $25 fill, new value and cert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 agree with Suphew, they are a budget model but work well. Mine is a 1000 model, are I think there is a second hand model at Hollywood or PM Jetskisteve. I rent my bottle through work, $5.00 per month. I feed my reactor from a small line that feeds off the main return pump to the display, and use a small tap to control it. Saves on a pump and works good. I have a electric solenoid which turns the CO2 on and off, and it is on a timer that I use to use to control Ca and Alk levels. Now with all the growth going on in my tank I have it running 24/7. It is still good to have as it will shutoff the CO2 if the power fails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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