WMAS Discussion Forum : Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser

WMAS Discussion Forum : Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:16:33 +0000 Wed, 23 May 2012 15:36:19 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=56026 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser : Oh... nothing is cheaper than...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=468354&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#468354 Author: rufessor
Subject: 56026
Posted: May 23 2012 at 3:36pm

Oh... nothing is cheaper than KalkPaste, nothing. I bet I spend less than 40 a year on Kalkpaste - thats insane. Some of the two parts cost that every time you buy it.]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 15:36:19 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=468354&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#468354 <![CDATA[Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser : Just my 2c... I have a 57 gallon...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=468353&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#468353 Author: rufessor
Subject: 56026
Posted: May 23 2012 at 3:34pm

Just my 2c... I have a 57 gallon rimless and run through about 8+ gallons of ATO water a week which is made by putting 8 tsp or KalkPaste in 7 gallon of water with 8 tbsp of vinegar. Its delivered by continuous drip through a peristaltic pump. I have around 15 different SPS colonies 3-4 are softball size the rest are mostly baseball sized with a few frags. To me, this is a heavy load of SPS. Running this way for almost 6 months now and I have yet to do anything but dump in a tsp or two of Mg 2x a week and change water. My Ca is always 390 or so, I have tested Mg once in 6 months which was 2 weeks ago it was 1300. Corals grow like crazy, I still have head room on the Kalk if I need to increase it.

I don't see the need for a reactor, my pH is stable due to continuous drip, the vinegar acts a bit like vodka, my skimmer pulls out a good bit but nothing extreme and the water is crystal clear... loving it.

I am fully aware of how reactors work, why people use the but for me, I just don't need it... personally its a lot of money to set up it goes the wrong way in terms of pH and although it ends up being a balanced additive as Alk comes up with pH resolution and CO2 diffusion (i.e. Kalk and a reactor basically to the same things) the Kalk is just dirt simple stupid.

I know at least two other people here dosing Kalk and Vinegar, neither seem interested in quitting from what I have read. They love it too.

Maybe I don't have a heavy SPS burden, who knows. But I see a lot of Coral when I look into the tank and its mostly SPS...

]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 15:34:38 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=468353&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#468353 <![CDATA[Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser : Did you order the pumps laird...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=468036&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#468036 Author: Akira
Subject: 56026
Posted: May 21 2012 at 9:38pm

Did you order the pumps laird posted the link for ?

]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 21:38:43 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=468036&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#468036 <![CDATA[Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser : I am going to give the 2 part...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=468035&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#468035 Author: Soehl
Subject: 56026
Posted: May 21 2012 at 9:33pm

I am going to give the 2 part dosing a try. Sounds like it will work great as long as you test about twice a day for the first week or so and then keep up the testing periodically over the life of the system... I already made an offer on my pump!!

I am tired of just pouring products into my tank. I think this will be much more stable and constant for the system. Plus it seems to me that it will give the corals exactly what they need. Just like the Kalk Reactor and Calcium Reactor.

I just don't see how having the two reactors can be that much better than the drips... What am I missing??? There has to be a reason to go with the reactors. Is it the stable PH? Is that the only benefit of the reactors over the dosing?]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 21:33:16 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=468035&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#468035 <![CDATA[Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser : I also use both Kalk Reactor and...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467324&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467324 Author: ReefAddict
Subject: 56026
Posted: May 17 2012 at 5:37pm

I also use both Kalk Reactor and Calcium Reactor. Keeps Alk/Calc/Ph perfect.
]]> Thu, 17 May 2012 17:37:13 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467324&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467324 <![CDATA[Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser : Mark Peterson wrote:I don't...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467234&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467234 Author: sabeypets
Subject: 56026
Posted: May 16 2012 at 11:03pm

Mark Peterson wrote:

I don't think of it as one vs the other. They each have specific purposes and their purposes overlap. I commend you for asking and finding the input from these very experienced and excellent hobbyists.

I agree with Mark.

I run both, but before I bought my reactors I dripped kalk and dosed 2 part. I was happy with the results I got from the 2 part. The calcium reactor replaced the 2 part.

]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 23:03:35 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467234&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467234 <![CDATA[Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser : The reason I went with this system...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467160&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467160 Author: wickedsnowman
Subject: 56026
Posted: May 16 2012 at 6:15pm

The reason I went with this system is like you mentioned space. But also ease of use and the fact that you cant outgrow this system. If your corals are using more you just add more. Simple as that. ]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 18:15:57 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467160&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467160 <![CDATA[Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser : It is really simple actually that...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467157&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467157 Author: wickedsnowman
Subject: 56026
Posted: May 16 2012 at 5:59pm

It is really simple actually that is the whole beauty about it. You can get all the powders on www.bulkreefsupply.com
You can buy every thing you need that will last almost forever for really cheap. I actually only buy the cal chloride and mag chloride from them because the soda ash is just baked baking soda and mag sulfate is just Epsom salt. Both of those you can buy at any grocery store. I bought my peralistic dosing pumps from BRS as well cause they are top notch quality and are cheaper than most other retailers. Once you have everything you just make them by mixing with RO water and put them in 1 gallon jugs and you are good to go. For information on the specific ingredient measurements Dr. Randy Holmes Farely wrote up really detailed instructions here.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
The trick is to get your alk, cal, and mag levels where you want to keep them by dosing by hand and then set up our dosing pumps. I dose alk and cal every day split up in 4 increments. Then dose mag every time I go through a gallon of alk and cal. I have my dosing pumps set up on digital timers that can dose down to the minute and can be programmed up to 24 on/ offs. I have them set up to dose cal first the alk 10 mins after the cal shuts off to avoid precipitation. I then test every few weeks and add or decrease time if I need to. Here are a few pics of my setup.

Sorry for the crappy pics they were taken with m cell phone.

]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 17:59:17 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467157&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467157 <![CDATA[Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser : Soehl wrote:I would love to...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467136&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467136 Author: jdinchak
Subject: 56026
Posted: May 16 2012 at 4:03pm

Soehl wrote:

I would love to hear more about the 2 part method! Pics would be great. It sounds like the ticket and the price would be wonderful. Not to mention it would take up a lot less space than 2 more reactors and co2 tank. Can anyone do a specific write-up on this method with some pics thrown in for those of us who have trouble reading?

+1]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 16:03:16 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467136&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467136 <![CDATA[Ca reactor Vs. Kalkwasser : I would love to hear more about...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467128&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467128 Author: Soehl
Subject: 56026
Posted: May 16 2012 at 2:38pm

I would love to hear more about the 2 part method! Pics would be great. It sounds like the ticket and the price would be wonderful. Not to mention it would take up a lot less space than 2 more reactors and co2 tank. Can anyone do a specific write-up on this method with some pics thrown in for those of us who have trouble reading?

]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 14:38:48 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56026&PID=467128&title=ca-reactor-vs-kalkwasser#467128