Vertex Calcium reactor, opinions?

[Neuticle]

Alright, in my pursuit of something resembling a smoothly running tank...

I've narrowed my calcium reactor choices down to three units, based upon criteria of price, features, and implied usability.

I've done a bit of reading, and I'm not sold on the benefits of a second chamber. I figure I can always add a TLF phosban reactor in-line if it appears necessary.

1. Vertex RX4 (~$325)



I'm not 100% sure why I like this unit, looks very complete, just add CO2 and go. I can use the bubble counter method until I add a pH controller later.

2. Octopus CR-140 (~$230)

Obviously price is a big draw here, and the no gimmick, no BS design from Octopus. Bare bones but has a CO2 recycling capability, which is ideal (to me)



3. Korallin 1502 (~$390)

By far the most expensive of the units I'm considering. I like the idea of a pressurized unit, looks the most robust also. A very popular unit in the hobby...

But the price...













Throw a regular and bottle into the mix, and it's a serious investment. I was going to do a peristaltic doser for my 2-part, but it seemed like I'd spend $300 and still not have a calcium reactor. Not to mention all the mess having extra jugs and tubes near my tank is a big turn-off for me.

I also considered a DIY, but after equipment and parts, I'd spend close to $200. I may as well buy the Octopus so I'd have someone else to ***** at when the thing doesn't work (lol).

After all my research, I still feel like I know very little about calcium reactors, if any of you old pros could chime in with advice on features I should look for, or units I may have overlooked.

Thanks for your help,
N

[Neuticle]

bump

[crvz]

Looks like any of those will work, but the vertex looks overly complicated. At those prices (the vertex and korallin), you could get a single chamber myreefcreations CR-1 with a good mixing pump (I'd recommend the panworld 10). I really like my CR-2, so I'd consider that brand. Of the ones you're looking at I'd probably lean towards the octopus (but I'd recommend the CR-1 for ~$300 with the pump).

Also, you understand you need a bit more hardware to get it running, right? I think those prices are just the chamber. You still need a regulator (~$100), CO2 bottle (~$50-$100), and a pH controller (you can use drip rate, but I'd highly recommend the pH controller, ~$100), not to mention a supply pump to get water to the reactor (simply maxijet will do, ~$20 new). You can get this stuff used, but the reactor is just half the battle.

[Fat Tony]

I like my Korallin reactors... both of them. Search around, you can find a deal on them around the hobby used. Try RC's classifieds (I hate the forum but love the classifieds ) and see if you can locate what you are looking for. My recommendation is to find one that is dual column...the primary column is your main reactor body, and the secondary column is the scrubber column to scrub off excess CO2.

I can tell you one thing, my Korallin is extremely efficient when it comes to CO2 consumption compared to otehr reactors. I am on my almost thrid refill of media on my first 5 lb bottle of CO2... the bottle will need to be changed out soon, as it has droipped pressure to 700psi, and 500 is the minimum from what I hear.

[Neuticle]

Ok, I've got a line on a reactor and CO2 w/controller for $200 (wowsers )

I've been switcing my mind back and forth between a Ca reactor and automated balling method. If I can get this reactor, which is possibly to good to pass on, I'd like to automate a calcium chloride solution with a peristaltic pump.

I've read a bit that with a reactor, your tank will never really break 360ppm Ca with a dkH of 12. I love the possible stability of a reactor but would like more calcium. I'm not really a fan of another bulky reactor (kalk), so I figured I could use a peristaltic/timer to dose calcium up to 450.

Anybody see a problem with dosing calcium chloride in tandem with a calcium reactor?