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Jeepkid 
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 Topic: brs 2 part dosers vs. ca reactors
Posted: January 11 2013 at 4:38pm |
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hello guys! ive been reading a lot of threads on here of why its important to dose so im going to give it a try. Only question is what methods better. Something like brs 2 part dosers or a ca reactor?? whats better, easier, safer, ups and downs of either methods and where do kalkwasser reactors come in on this?. any input is greatly appreciated!
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Brian.
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Lewy
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Posted: January 11 2013 at 5:18pm |
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I two part on my system but it's not very big so it's not that difficult. On a larger system with lots of SPS's reactor would be the beter way to go, IMHO.
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40 gal w/ 20 sump
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Ann_A
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Posted: January 11 2013 at 5:38pm |
It really depends on the system and its demands. I have 4 clams and tons of SPS in a 66 gallon tank, and run a calcium reactor (I know it sounds like insanity...). I love not having to dose two part any more and I don't have to mix kalkwasser anymore. Once the levels are adjusted right and the calcium reactor is set properly I don't have to worry about my calcium or alkalinity levels very often. I originally was going to go with two part dosers, but didn't want to have to refill the two part often, since with my tank's demands it would be often and expensive quickly.
So in my opinion here are the basic advantages and disadvantages to a calcium reactor...
Advantages... -Set and forget system -Maintains calcium AND alkalinity -Large tank capacity (calcium/alkalinity demand) -Can be fully automated
Disadvantages... -Pricey! -Uses CO2 (tank in stand, and refills needed eventually-lasts awhile though) -Cannot adjust calcium separate from alkalinity and visa versa
And as far as my research goes as I have no experience with automated two part dosing, here are the basic advantages and disadvantages to dosers...
Advantages... -Automated delivery of your choice of buffer/additive/etc. -Each can be controlled individually (can adjust calcium and alkalinity separate from each other) -Less expensive initial cost
Disadvantages... -Reservoir needs to be refilled when additive is depleted -Cost of maintenance (refilling two part) -Can handle large SPS tanks, but requires large amounts of two part (expensive!) -Requires a separate timer for each doser (if each is to run for separate times)
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Jeepkid
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Posted: January 11 2013 at 6:45pm |
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well i have a 120g and just a handful of sps frags as i tend to favor LPS a little bit more. Its a good sized tank but not much sps in it. thoughts?
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Brian.
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Fatman
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Posted: January 11 2013 at 11:22pm |
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Well, I'm the new guy here but since you asked...I dose Kalkwasser in my ATO and every few weeks check my levels and slowly bring them up as needed. I use the homebrewed two part and have been happy with it. The kalkwaser handles most of it for me and a bit of two part and magnesium every couple of weeks takes up the slack.
Now if you have a lot of SPS with high dollar coral you would probably want to go with a reactor or dosing pumps to uniformly add your chemicals. That way the levels stay very stable.
Fat
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wickedsnowman
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Posted: January 11 2013 at 11:37pm |
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I love my brs dosing setup. I can't imagine ever doing anything else. FYI it is super cheap to make the solution and I have a sps dominate tank. The only thing you have to buy from brs is cal cl and mag cl then you can buy arm and hammer baking soda and bake it for the alk solution. Then epsom salt for the rest of the mag solution. I bet I have spent under $50 on chemicals in the year and a half I have been doing it. Try and do that with a cal reactor. You will spend way more than that with media and co2. Also with the intial setup cost less than half I think it would be better for you.
Here is a link with more info on making your own 2 part than you will ever need. Then just buy your dosers and chemicals from brs.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
Edited by wickedsnowman - January 11 2013 at 11:42pm
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Jeepkid
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Posted: January 12 2013 at 8:41am |
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Well im thinking of going with these:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-2-part-calcium-alkalinity-total-package-with-dosers.html
I figure ill probably be a little better off by getting an ATO to go with the dosers huh.
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Brian.
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Jeepkid
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Posted: January 12 2013 at 8:55am |
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speaking of ATOs can anyone recommend a good one?
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Brian.
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Ann_A
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Posted: January 12 2013 at 10:17am |
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Tunze Osmolator. Best one there is IMO. I have one and love it. I trust it completely and never worry about topping off.
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Jeepkid
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Posted: January 12 2013 at 10:44am |
Definately a little up there in price but it has really good reviews. Things are about to get expensive. 
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Brian.
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Teknik777
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Posted: January 12 2013 at 11:46am |
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BRS dosers. How big is your tank? Are you wanting to do mainly sps? A great example of sps dom tank is the reefcentral totm right now. Huge sps colonies 200g and he is running BRS dry products on dosers. I have a lot of sps also and just ordered a two part acrylic res from Tyler. Will hold 2 gallons each. It takes me all of 10 min max to make 2 gallons of each. I manually dose mag once a week. I love my dosers. I controller the time.with my apex controller.
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badfinger
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Posted: January 12 2013 at 12:38pm |
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I will second the tunze osomaltor
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wickedsnowman
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Posted: January 12 2013 at 12:45pm |
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tunze osomaltor is probably the best but there are other options that work great . I have a autotopoff.com setup and it has a double float switch system that prevents any problems. I have never had anything go wrong.
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Jeepkid
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Posted: January 12 2013 at 5:05pm |
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well you cant be too careful with ATOs so ill go with the tunze. thanks for the input guys.
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Brian.
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laynframe
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Posted: January 12 2013 at 8:03pm |
Ive done both cal reactor and dosing. I think with dosing you can adjust alk and cal seprate and I like my levels alk mostly more elevated, about 10 on the alk scale, I couldnt get my alk to 10 with out having my calc too high with a reactor. BRS dosers are good, i just switched to bubble mag doser, but BRS 2 part solution is weak and you would have to dose tons of it to work. I use B-onic 2 part and have seen better growth. I have seen several awesome sps tanks that are all on 2 part and thats what influenced me to switch and try it.
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JohnnyHeavens
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Posted: February 27 2013 at 12:04pm |
 wickedsnowman wrote:
tunze osomaltor is probably the best but there are other options that work great . I have a autotopoff.com setup and it has a double float switch system that prevents any problems. I have never had anything go wrong. |
I've got a tunze osmolator on the RSM at work and it's been sooo nice! But, autotopoff.com What a great site! Thanks!!!
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