Anyone use a CA reactor with no sump?

RussC · Post by **RussC** » Tue May 11, 2004 4:19 pm

I'm strongly considering getting a calcium reactor to use in my 45 gallon hex. I do not have a sump so I would have to drip directly into the display tank. How has this worked for you? What problems, if any, have you encountered or would recommend I look out for before doing this?

Phisher · Post by **Phisher** » Tue May 11, 2004 4:46 pm

Russ I'm no expert here but I dont think you really need a reactor on a small tank unless you are really crammed full of sps. I top off with kalk and my calc levels stay astronomically high >600ppm.

Joe

Btw your pm box if full on rc.

Xster · Post by **Xster** » Tue May 11, 2004 5:31 pm

Hey Russ, I dont think there is much difference if the effluent is directed at the tank or the sump. The only concern is the excess CO2 affecting your Ph.

But with only a 45 G, I would rather just use kalk or the two part additives that are readily available.

Post by **snoopdog** » Tue May 11, 2004 5:54 pm

Personally I would think it would be a disaster waiting to happen. Just the way a calcium reactor flows i would want the effluent in the sump, seems odd to have the effluent pumped uphill. There is no reason to add one to that small of a tank anyway.

tanker stanker · Post by **tanker stanker** » Tue May 11, 2004 6:09 pm

Snoop's right. And I'd go with Kent's 2 part calcium buffer and leave it at that. It's so much easier to add that twice a week then getting a calcium reactor involved.

tbmoore · Post by **tbmoore** » Tue May 11, 2004 7:33 pm

I agree ...with that size tank I would buy the Kent 2 part...I bought some from Champion in five gal buckets and it was only about $100 for bothe buckets....It lasted 2yrs in a 50gal and into the 110gal. Not to answer your orginal question if placed in front of a power head and you kept close eye on the ph of the output to control the co2 it should be ok...just cost more than the two part bought in bulk.

Post by **snoopdog** » Tue May 11, 2004 8:58 pm

Think of how long you can dose two part B-Ionic compared to the $500-$800 for a cal reactor.

Fishfood · Post by **Fishfood** » Tue May 11, 2004 9:39 pm

I don't see a problem with a CA reactor on a 45 gal tank, i'm going to get one for my 55. I dose kalk, 2 part and i can't keep my tank anywhere near where it needs to be for my sps. Granted the only coral i have are sps and a clam.