Complete Calcium Reactor setup recommendation

[+Tx4x4hoss]

First time poster here! Got some questions, and need recommendation.

So I'm Looking for recommendation on a calcium reactor and all the extras I would need to complete the setup.  Simple check list? 

This will go on a 240gallon tank and I want to get into SPS and want to make my system as stable as possible to maintain some of the higher end SPS.  I have an Apex 3 pro now and would like to use that to monitor and regulate the parameters as much as possible. 

Thoughts on what you use and what makes it stand out. Maybe Manufacture, single canister vs duel canister, ease of use, digital options or the price is right, AC pump vs DC in a reactor, integrations with Apex any thoughts at all.    All these make the price go up or down but a few that I have looked at are very pricey so only want to make this investment once for sure.

I have not found a calcium reactor on the shelf at a local reef store so all my looking is from a far at BRS the Web or youtube. 

My checklist:

• Calcium Reactor
• CO2 Tank and Regulator
• CO2 Tubing and Check Valve
• Media
• pH Controller APEX or duel
• Feed Pump
• Effluent Output Tubing
• Bubble Counter

[Timfish]

I've got a reef octopus with a DC pump on one of my systems but this system used pretty much generic stuff.   Reef systems will generate calcium and bicarboantes as microborers and biofilms mess with substrates and often it is enough for a system initially.  Since it's easy to monitor and maintain calcium and more importantly bicarboantes I wouldn't get one right away and wait until you have corals that are growing and you're seeing weekly drops in alkalinity.   It will need to be accessed for maintenance so setting it where it's easy to access would be The most important component will be the regulator so if money isn't an object the carbon doser V2 would be first choice (but personally I would go with one of CO2Art's cheaper regulators).   With media what I've seen is it can become depleted even though it looks  like the media chamber is pretty full so I'm inclined to add new media more frequently than recommended to avoid big drops in alkalinity.   DC pumps are more effecient and more controlable than AC pumps but for both pumps and media chambers I would but the priority on what will be the easiest to work on in the location you have for it.

[+boognish]

I agree with @Timfish on not needing to immediately spin up a calcium reactor until calcium and alkalinity uptake increases and becomes predictable.  Until then I recommend monitoring and adjusting with BRS Calcium and whichever method you choose to provide alkalinity -- Sodium Bicarbonate or Soda Ash depending on Ph levels.  If you aren't buying everything new, it'll give you time to start sourcing the equipment here, FB and CL while you determine the tanks uptake.

I've used a calcium reactor for over 20 years and can't sing their praises enough - stable, predictable KH, and Ca and with that, pH.  Can't curse them any more, either!  Luckily I started with Korallin reactor.  It has proven to be the most finicky, unpredictable, and hard to dial in reactor (for me).  However, using it for 15+ years taught me how bad it could be and what to watch out for regarding failure points and what to check daily.   I am currently using an older single chamber GeosReef reactor on my 310g and am very pleased so far.  I've read their newer versions are even more reliable and feature-rich (for a cost!).   I do not use a feed pump, so really can't speak to that.  I use a baffle on my main return line from the sump to feed the reactor and drip effluent into the skimmer chamber to scrub the co2 and raise the ph before it gets to the display.

BUY TWO OF EVERYTHING! - Your tank gets addicted to the stability and predictable kH, Ca, and mg - especially with a lot of SPS and coralline.  Things domino and quickly get out of whack when the reactor goes offline, but their uptake doesn't change. 

• Two CO2 bottles - It will run out at the worst time and when you go to get more, they will be closed, simply out of co2, or your bottle can't be refilled because it needs to be pressure tested and the only guy that does that has covid or is in a Bass tournament.  Have an extra full bottle you can easily swap in.  
• Two  CO2 regulators - The Carbon Doser (v1 or 2) is AWESOME and recommended, but is electronic.  It'll fail.  Have a backup standard regulator to swap out when it does.
• Two (or more) effluent drip valves - They clog, they stop dripping and just flow and slam the tank with kH.
• Two bags of media - If the effluent stops and co2 is trapped in the chamber for too long it turns to mush and needs replacing.
  • REBORN media.  'nuff said.  If you see the large pieces in stock jump on an extra bag or two because next year when they are out for months, you can sell it like crack outside the LFS and on the dark web.
• 3 pH monitors - You need one to monitor the effluent pH in the reactor, one for the tank pH and need one for backup.

I maintain Ca, kH, mg, and pH via a combination of running Calcium Reactor and dosing Calcium Hydroxide Solution (Kalkwasser).  You are welcome to come check out the setup and get some ideas and info on how you want to set yours up if you want.