Calcium Reactor or Nielson Reactor?

motorslave · 03-19-2006, 02:49 PM

Ive heard different thoughts but Im trying to fianlize my parts list. Tank is a 150, with 55 sump and 29 (full to top) water change tank that will be on a constant loop. So, Im looing at around 200g maybe a bit more. This will be heavily stocked with SPS and clams. High flow etc...I would like to just do top off with Calc as I dont realy know that I want all the equipment that goes with a Ca Reactor. But if its the real way to go then so be it! just need the TRT Gods input!!

R

motorslave · 03-19-2006, 06:06 PM

Bueller? Bueller?

Anyone? Anyone?

R

wharyat · 03-19-2006, 06:28 PM

I'd say a calcium reactor would be a better piece for your tank. Especially since you plan on stocking heavily with SPS and clams.

You could always get both.

motorslave · 03-19-2006, 06:57 PM

Kinda figured a Calcium Reactor would be best, I realy like the simplicity of the Nielson though.
R

know-it-all · 03-19-2006, 07:45 PM

calcium reactors are very simple
once tuned in correctly

I havn't needed to touch mine in 6 months

there are many good DIY models out there
the best I've seen so far is a clear water filter canister and a maxi-jet pump

motorslave · 03-19-2006, 09:04 PM

Wichever way I go it will be a unit from MRC. Andy has great stuff and the service behind it!

R

VWD · 03-19-2006, 09:06 PM

I agree here with you Robert, MRC hads some of the best units around and the service from Andy is great. I am using one of his reactors , very nice and easy.

skeety · 03-20-2006, 09:37 AM

I've had my MRC Ca reactor for three months now....don't really do much tweaking. Did at first...but now...nope...it runs...runs...I don't touch anything.

I urge you to ask Andy the same question you just asked us...he'll give you a good answer.

The MAIN reason I went with the Ca reactor over the Neilson was....trace elements. Ca reactors add Ca (duh), but by the process with which they do it, you're also getting some trace elements added back to the tank as well. BIG plus that you won't get with a Neilson.

Not to mention, the stock you plan to keep will have MUCH higher demands.

Anyways...good luck. Andy's stuff is TOP NOTCH!!!

tdwyatt · 03-20-2006, 12:53 PM

Stony corals do best with a Ca eeactor that dissolves aragonite with acidified (CO2-saturated) seawater, it supplies everything you need, and once set up and tweaked, is the least maintenance-intensive item on your weekly list. It definitely does the best job on maintaining both alk nd calcium when correctly set up.

Ditto on Andy's stuff through MRC, after using a few other products on the market, I settled on the MRC line of products for quality of construction and reliability of design. Establishing a Ca reactor is not cheap, but running it once you've acquired all the equipment is the least expensive of the mothods out there while delivering the best possible supplementation at this point in time.

HTH