2 part dosing vs. Reactors

this looks appealing

 

Well, the milwaukee regulator I would steer far clear of. Reef fanatic ones, the aquarium plants one, and one other even more $$ one are the only 3 I would ever get. So that won't save you any cash, as the RF is about 140 dollars, while the MKE one is around 100. Also, a 10 lb tank is nice, but you could save some $$ by getting a 5 pounder. I use a 5 lb tank on my GEO 618 rated for 350g on my 200g DT.

I know you can get a brand new mke ph controller with probe for like 110.

I would look for a used one to save cash.

 

So one thing that is mentioned often is the need for kalk water for PH control and supplementation. How many of you that use reactors dose kalk water to keep PH up? Low PH seems to be a regular complaint with using reactors.

 

In that case, it seems like this is the way to go: http://premiumaquatics.com/store/me...duct_Code=PA-GEO612HD&Category_Code=CRpackage , it has the RF regulator AND RF controller for $100 more. The diff in price between the 5 lb and 10 lb tank is only $10. It's probably worth the extra $10 to save a an extra trip to fill it up however so often that would be (twice as long).


Still, I'm looking at a $700 investment in a reactor. I could buy LOTS of 2 part for that.

So, what about pH, do you have problems keeping your pH high enough with your GEO 618? Do you dose kalk?

 

Powerman and gabba, the GEO is so efficient with it's CO2 use that I don't have a ph dropping issue. Some guys do, but usually with other brands of reactors.

I actually used to add pickling lime to my top off container to keep the ph higher, but after a while I determined that the kalk wasser was actually saturating my water with Ca, therefore lowering my alkalinity.

My ph is always between 8.2 and 8.3. Even with straight up RODI like I run now I have no issue with ph dropping. I do run a reverse photoperiod fuge in my sump, that can't hurt.

I have a kalk (nielsen) reactor I may hook up once I get the bottom plate re weld-on'ed. I want to see if there are any issues with alk lowering then, and to see what the effect if any is on my tank's ph.

 

so, if your pH is always between 8.2 and 8.3, why bother??

 

That's my take. Except for the issue is tat I switched to straight up water with no kalk not too long ago. It maye take a few months for any ph swing if any to occur, not just a few weeks.

 

decided to take the plunge and I've got a calcium reactor on the way... it's a Geo 618 with a RF regulator, Mke controller, and 20lb tank, slightly used, all for $450. with the 618 and a 20lb tank, looks like I won't have to do a refill of either for a while.

Going from high maintenance to almost no maintenance feels pretty good...

now, which media does everyone like to use? I'm thinking of going with caribsea ARM...

 

I think this part of your side is not a fair point. Yes, you got a good deal on a used reactor setup and that's great. But it's not cool comparing your special deal to a full price auto doser when it comes to saving money. It is equally valid to purchase a used auto dosing pump and get savings. apples and oranges IMO.

I did make a new batch of Mg yesterday. It is amazing to me that 8 cups of Mg dissolves in so little water.

 

maybe we went over this already... but I've got a question for those using the reactors.

when I do a water change I have to dose the new water to get to my desired levels.

How do you solve that? Or do you leave it be and let the reactor do its job and 'fix' it? an auto doser will not fix that. will a reactor?

Or do you just buy more expensive salt that doesn't need dosing (I am using IO after all).

thoughts?