2 part dosing vs. Reactors

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by tatted4ever, Oct 20, 2009.

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  1. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    Yes, you control a reactor with a PH controller.

    Controllers are really quite simple, and pretty much foolproof. You should embrace technology, it will hep you out:)

    Manual dosing can easily be messed up, probably quicker and worse than a reactor can mess up a tank. Actually, if you run a reactor with a ph controller, your chance of messing up a tank's chemistry is slim to none.

    I have come to the conclusion that those that dose 2 (3) part for a while eventually get to the point where they can't keep up demand, and end up going to a reactor. Citing the reasons they did not go with a reactor up front was due to the higher inital cost. You can automate dosing as well, for those that want to leave their house from time to time, but those pumps are $$, and pretty close to the cost of a decent reactor.
     
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  3. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    What are you talking about? Any piece of equipment can fail. Pumps, solenoids, ph probes, and controllers are not immune. I go on vacation and dosing is one less task my sitter needs to do.
     
  4. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    Well reactors them selves are cheap, but you need pumps, and solenoids, and flow meters, and ph probes and controllers, and co2 and cylinders. Not out of line with all the other money I have put into my system, but not "just a reactor". My two dosing pumps cost me $160. I have a controller, but two digital timers would have cost $40. A one time buy of 2 part from BRS cost me $70, good for over a year.

    I know of others with SPS dominate tanks dosing a liter a day and say their system is much more stable after tossing the reactor.

    I don't have some huge opinion on the evils of reactors, I just think dosing is very very simple and straight forward with less equipment. Any time I can simplify I am all for it.
     
  5. BTowned

    BTowned Peppermint Shrimp

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    The very reason I use a CaRx, is I feel that since a reactor breaks down coral skeleton, it replenishes everything a coral needs to build skeleton. Meaning a lot of elements that 2 part cannot replenish, are replenished with a Calcium Reactor. I also toss in ZEOMag into my reactor and it keeps it steady for at least 6 months.

    Because I run my reactor at a high effluent, to combat low Ph I have a kalk stirrer that drips kalk all day.

    I have controllers, but use a manual timer, and add time when I need more output for my coral's uptake. I have had ph probes go bad, and never wanted one to controll anything in my tank. Ph probe is strickly used for monitoring in my tank.
     
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  6. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    IMHO, dosing is not as simple as a reactor.

    What brand of reactor were used for those that went away from them?

    In this hobby there are a ton of variables. I choose to eliminate most issues by having a reactor.

    Also, fwiw, I got my geo 618 with everything but the controller and probe for $250. the controller I traded a dog ramp for it.
     
  7. infamous

    infamous Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    Dosing is pretty simple actually. You just need 2 jugs and mix the stuff with RO/DI water.

    Get yourself some auto dosers and hook them up to your controller. Much simpler than a calcium reactor with co2 tank and the dam thing is expensive too.

    I might try a calcium reacotor one day but im just afraid of it from the horror stories



    Bulk reef supply rocks :)
     
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  9. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

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    First, I have never used a reactor, so my opinions are one sided. Nor are they taking into consideration relative costs.


    I felt like this for a while, but my 2 part dosing is automated. After a few months, I only test now about every 3-4 weeks... and that's mostly so I can keep an eye on my Mg.

    ;) I took your suggesting on autodosing and it has worked beautifully. I routinely leave for 1-2 weeks and come back and my params are right on target. BTW - thanks! ;D

    I got this:

    [​IMG]

    here it is hooked up

    [​IMG]



    And here is my thread on it:

    http://www.3reef.com/forums/filters-pumps-etc/dosing-pump-question-66742.html



    I also automated my ATO too... I don't really have to do much with it anymore other than feed the coral and mag-float.

    Functionally, if setup accordingly, I don't know of any benefit a reactor has over my setup.

    And yes, BRS rocks! (that's where I got everything I needed to automate my system).

    Here's a vid on that

     
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  10. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    I only used numbers originally to get going. How much to raise to, initial dosing levels. Now I only test every week or two. Add a couple of minutes, take away a couple of minutes. Don't care what my ml/min is on my pumps. Not too difficult.

    My Alk pump started not working intermittently. BRS has one on the way with return label. Just been marking the jugs to be sure. Not that big of a deal. Can't say enough about BRS. (Going away this weekend too. I'll sleep fine)

    I know reactors are not that difficult either. I'm not afraid of buying equipment. I just don't see a huge advantage over what I'm doing now to warrant the move. If there was a big enough improvement, I would have no problem doing it.
     
  11. tatted4ever

    tatted4ever Clown Trigger

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    ahhh finally some GREAT feedback.... not a one sentence posts im reading...

    My initial thoughts on a reactor is .... its a must have for a high demanding tank such as a stoney. not a softy tank or fish only.

    I know overtime i will be pouring less money out of pocket that I can use on other things like my girlfriend.... on second thought my tank ;)
    I have overcome many a hurdles and in the meantime I have seen some amazing tanks. Of course like everyone (i hope) posted in this thread we are all striving for that tank that "joe" posting in show off your tank thread wish they had.

    Now my dilemma is a reactor gonna boost my tank to the "next level". Next level meaning. Better stability, better growth, and again stability. I plainly dont see any stability in a two part system. I see reactors as stability. Keeping your 3 legged stool stable (Ca, alk, mg). We know that two part we need to do testing and make any adjustments to be stable.

    Next thought.... GTS, Horkn.... some of 3 reefers nicer tank builds that we have seen most recently here on 3reef both implement a reactor. Why dont they use two part dosing? Food for thought :cheesy:"

    But dont take me wrong... sounds like I a fighting on the reactor side... I DONT EVEN HAVE ONE!!!! I am on the fence clearly. Powerman gave me a thread link that boggled my mind on the two part dosing. some people with large systems dosing 300ml each on alk and ca a day and some much much more :eek: I have also read people switching back to two part dosing away from their reactor and stating they have never been happier.

    Thats why I have started this thread....
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2009
  12. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

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    it took a while to get my automated dosing dialed in. I admit.

    I got it installed July 1. It took about 2 weeks of testing often and adjusting the seconds per day on the pumps. Around the end of July I thought I had it, but then noticed my alk drop one point (over a month or so). So I manually dosed to bring it back up a point and then I added a few seconds to the alk pump daily dose (which I have set for midnight) and it's been stable ever since...

    My Ca and Alk have not moved at all since August 1. I'm looking in my log to get these dates.


    I don't have any SPS. Only LPS and softies. But I'm barely dosing anything a day. I could handle doing loads more dosing if needed.

    I had to refill the alk and ca jugs once since July 1. the 2 part comes with enough material to last me a couple years if not more.