Calcium Reactor
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=925
Printed Date: January 01 2026 at 6:36pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Calcium Reactor
Posted By: Kahuna
Subject: Calcium Reactor
Date Posted: August 26 2003 at 1:44pm
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OK, who has researched and/or made a calcium reactor. It's time to upgrade. does someone in the group have a copy of Shane Heil's reactor that he passed out instructions for a couple months ago? Sean, are ready to make one? Thanks for your input.
------------- Cell 801 860-7333 |
Replies:
Posted By: jfinch
Date Posted: August 26 2003 at 1:55pm
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I think Shane's design is for a Neilson kalkwasser reactor. That is not the same as a "calcium reactor".
Neilson reactors have fresh make-up water feed, mix with kalkwasser powder, then exit the reactor to the tank/sump. Ensentually this is just an automated way of adding kalkwasser. This system is limited in the amount of calcium/alkalinity you can add by how much water is evaporated by the tank. Also the effluent of the reactor has a very high pH. Calcium reactors have tank water circulating through a bed of CaCO3 (aragonite) with CO2 injected just upstream of the aragonite bed. The effluent from the reactor is then sent to the tank/sump. Essentually this system is using CO2 to dissolve aragonite. This system is not limited, it can supply almost as much calcium/alkalinity any tank might need. The effluent from this reactor usually has a low pH. I've seen plans around for both systems. Good luck. ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
Posted By: Kahuna
Date Posted: August 26 2003 at 2:09pm
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JFinch, thanks much for the info. I'm definitely looking for plans for a calcium reactor. Do you use one? ------------- Cell 801 860-7333 |
Posted By: jfinch
Date Posted: August 26 2003 at 2:41pm
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Kirk, Nope I don't have one. I've seen plans on reefcentral that look promising though. I'll bet someone else here knows more about building one then me. ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
Posted By: Marcus
Date Posted: August 26 2003 at 3:40pm
| Be careful Kirk, by the time that you buy a pump and and all the fittings (depending on what grade you get) you might as well have purchased one. Bubble counters can be expensive but you can also get them on the regulator. Ryan (Scroll) built one but he had wholesale contacts for his pump and other items. |
Posted By: Aquarium Creations
Date Posted: August 26 2003 at 6:31pm
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Me and ryan bought our units through a friend of ours he does great work they work and look great ......
------------- Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected] |
Posted By: scroll
Date Posted: August 26 2003 at 11:38pm
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For info on contacting him let me know I would just post his number but that would probably not make him to happy. ------------- just my 3 cents shy of a nickel. Ryan 897-2000 1 125 gallon reef 1 120 gallon reef tank and stand custom built by MSM |
Posted By: Kahuna
Date Posted: August 27 2003 at 6:57am
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Ryan, go ahead and pm his number and I'll give him a call. thanks Kirk ------------- Cell 801 860-7333 |
Posted By: dmanshep
Date Posted: August 27 2003 at 7:09am
| I got one from www.myreefcreations.com and love it .. just my 2 cents and it was a good deal 2!! |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 27 2003 at 10:52am
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Contact Jim Perry for sure.
His number isn't on the member list because he hasn't renewed, but he is "the man" to talk to about building it. The link to his website/650 gallon tank/email is in the gallery. Call me if you can't reach him and I'll give you his number. I know he will be happy to talk to you. Oh, also, he is "wavemaker" here in this forum. Jim did a very nice article on Calcium Reactors in the April 2001 Sea Star which is available online in this website by clicking on the "Sea Star Online" button to the left of this window on your screen. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Flaz
Date Posted: August 28 2003 at 9:05pm
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I built my own calcium reactor and have been very happy with it. Some of the info I used to build it is on my homepage: http://www.aros.net/~flaz/sump.htm - http://www.aros.net/~flaz/sump.htm FWIW- I'm also running one of the Nielson reactors I built with Jeff Hite and Shane Heil... Here is a picture of both reactors in action:
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Posted By: scroll
Date Posted: August 29 2003 at 12:20am
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are you running both of the same co2 tank? ------------- just my 3 cents shy of a nickel. Ryan 897-2000 1 125 gallon reef 1 120 gallon reef tank and stand custom built by MSM |
Posted By: Ryan Willden
Date Posted: August 29 2003 at 9:45am
| Ryan, The Kalk reactor doesn't use C02. |
Posted By: Flaz
Date Posted: August 29 2003 at 10:46am
| Scroll- Ryan Willden is correct. Only the calcium reactor uses co2. A kalk reactor is a closed freshwater pass-through chamber (designed to keep co2 and other gasses out). |
Posted By: DutchDude
Date Posted: September 09 2003 at 10:38pm
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Hey Kirk,
Look at these: http://www.aquacave.com/twin_towers_calcium_reactor.htm http://www.aquacave.com/co2_regulator.htm Seems pretty solid - and inexpensive - what do you guys think? Arjen. |