Kalk reactor vs calcium reactor

[fordtrucksrme]

Besides cost what are the positive and negatives of these two parts of machinery and which do you guys prefer??

[R1Bill]

that depends... in the summer i would prefer a reactor. i get 2-5 gallons evaporation per day and mix lots of kalwasser and my calcium is always at 400-450. under this circumstance a kalc reactor would be ideal. in the winter my evaporation slows to 5 gallons/week and unless i dose lots of b-ionic or c-balance my calcium level drops like a rock. under this circumstance, a calcium reactor would be better. and because of this, i am in the process of building a calcium reactor.

good luck,

bill

[Flatlander]

The trend seems to be more towards using both. Overdriving one or the other to keep up is then not needed. Many now use a kalk reactor in cojunction with a co2 reactor.

With kalk, enough evaporation must occur to allow it to keep up with demand levels. Which of course, depends on the corals. Corals like sps, clams and coralline algae, consume lots of calcium.

Kalk is know to help with phosphate, raising ph and help skimming.

Co2 reactors are more expensive to set up, but supply most all elements needed to ones tank. The dissolving media also adds elements like magnesium & strontium. One of the best side benefits of a co2 reactor, is the high alkalinty. Usually runs around 12dkh, with an effluent output of near 30dkh.

[Jimbo]

Here's some cool links on Neilson(Nilson) reactors.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/V...nk/nilsen.html