WMAS Discussion Forum : Doser or Reactor?

WMAS Discussion Forum : Doser or Reactor? http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:29:43 +0000 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:32:41 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=74394 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Doser or Reactor? : I set up a doser system. For various...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581674&title=doser-or-reactor#581674 Author: Crazy Tarzan
Subject: 74394
Posted: January 15 2015 at 11:32am

I set up a doser system. For various reasons.

1) I do not have room for a reactor and Co2 bottle in the stand or aux cabinet
2) I had been dosing pretty constantly and can tweak the amounts as needed with the doser
3) It was relatively quick, easy and set it forget it other than testing tweaks.
4) I can fill the 1 gal bottles and put them back in and don't have to change anything.

I have used commercial packaged mixes (BRS two part), and done the home made stuff. $$ is saved with home made. But I prefer the simplicity of simply pouring the commercial stuff in the bottle and adding water. AND it tends to dissolve better and remain clear. I only paid around $100 for an off brand doser, but it works great and stores my settings if power goes off.
]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:32:41 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581674&title=doser-or-reactor#581674 <![CDATA[Doser or Reactor? : I think your 6's either way...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581655&title=doser-or-reactor#581655 Author: kody72
Subject: 74394
Posted: January 15 2015 at 9:13am

I think your 6's either way a good doser is around $250 to $300. Calcium reactor for most systems is about $500 for the setup. You go through more 2 part additives then you go through media & co2. This is where you start to get your money back. Long term I give the edge to calcuim reactor because of the trace elements added it's not a ton but more than nothing. Just take a look at Brad's tank. So people do end up adding kalk reactor but not always necessary if you run a bigger reactor witch gives you even better stability as well.

Edited by kody72 - January 15 2015 at 9:15am]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2015 09:13:35 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581655&title=doser-or-reactor#581655 <![CDATA[Doser or Reactor? : THank you mark and Brad.So what...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581653&title=doser-or-reactor#581653 Author: Jeremyw
Subject: 74394
Posted: January 15 2015 at 8:44am

THank you mark and Brad.

So what about those that dont use homemade... Do you save money one over the other?

Brad What do you run? How many Reactors? Dose?

]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2015 08:44:31 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581653&title=doser-or-reactor#581653 <![CDATA[Doser or Reactor? : Dosing with homemade solutions...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581650&title=doser-or-reactor#581650 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 74394
Posted: January 15 2015 at 8:23am

Dosing with homemade solutions is definitely lower cost, especially when the material is bought in bulk. I buy the large bag of Armor Baking Soda at Costco and the gallon bottle of Prestone Driveway Heat at HD/Lowes. Hardly ever need to add Mg because a DSB of Utah Oolitic Sand adds Mg, Ca and Alk, in that order. At the bottom of the DSB the low pH does essentially the same thing as what CO2 does in the Carbonate Reactor. Smile

Aloha

]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2015 08:23:02 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581650&title=doser-or-reactor#581650 <![CDATA[Doser or Reactor? : I have always run a big reactor....]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581607&title=doser-or-reactor#581607 Author: tileman
Subject: 74394
Posted: January 14 2015 at 4:41pm

I have always run a big reactor. But I agree with both Shane and Mike. If you have a larger tank and the room, then a reactor is the way to go. After the setup, the only expense is the media and co2 . Very cheap . But a big reactor brings your ph down so to compensate for the lower ph, it's good to also run your top off through a kalk reactor.

]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2015 16:41:48 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581607&title=doser-or-reactor#581607 <![CDATA[Doser or Reactor? : So those who have done both......]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581606&title=doser-or-reactor#581606 Author: Jeremyw
Subject: 74394
Posted: January 14 2015 at 4:26pm

So those who have done both... does one save you money over the other in the long run. Im not talking about initial set up. Im talking about on going monthly. I know that it will vary due to tank and tanks needs... but what have you seen?

]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2015 16:26:57 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581606&title=doser-or-reactor#581606 <![CDATA[Doser or Reactor? : A reactor for me was pretty much...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581604&title=doser-or-reactor#581604 Author: Mike Savage
Subject: 74394
Posted: January 14 2015 at 4:14pm

A reactor for me was pretty much set it and forget it. With a doser I have to monitor the level in the containers. Both are much better than dosing by hand. Now that I am running smaller systems I just don't have room for a reactor.]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2015 16:14:58 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581604&title=doser-or-reactor#581604 <![CDATA[Doser or Reactor? : Have always done dosers butnow...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581593&title=doser-or-reactor#581593 Author: Krazie4Acans
Subject: 74394
Posted: January 14 2015 at 3:01pm

Have always done dosers butnow that I'm starting to do more SPS I'm considering a reactor. From my experience it all comes down to what your system is requiring to keep up with growth. If dosing is keeping up and not making filling jugs an often occurrence then why change? Once the jug filling pain threshold is reached then it makes sense to go reactor.

Then again you could be like Tileman and be dosing on top of your reactor to try and keep your Alk up. So maybe both is the answer.

Krazie

]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2015 15:01:03 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581593&title=doser-or-reactor#581593 <![CDATA[Doser or Reactor? : Keep bringing them.I find this...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581592&title=doser-or-reactor#581592 Author: Jeremyw
Subject: 74394
Posted: January 14 2015 at 2:52pm

Keep bringing them.

I find this interesting. It seems more and more people are moving to Dosing....

Molli is right for both reactors and for Dosers... you still have to test!!! NO MATTER WHAT!

]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2015 14:52:48 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581592&title=doser-or-reactor#581592 <![CDATA[Doser or Reactor? : I use dosing and have only been...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581589&title=doser-or-reactor#581589 Author: Molli
Subject: 74394
Posted: January 14 2015 at 1:55pm

I use dosing and have only been in the hobby a few years. Have never used a Reactor. I will say this -- especially for the newbies -- neither of these choices takes the place of frequent testing for new tanks. With the growth I am seeing in my corals and with coraline algae growing and frequently adding more corals to my tank, dosing is going to require frequent tweaks.]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2015 13:55:09 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=74394&PID=581589&title=doser-or-reactor#581589