Reactor vs Dosing Pump

[cent36]

Just wondering what is better. A reactor or dosing pump.
More specifically a calcium reactor vs dosing calcium.....And go!

 

[Balz3352]

Depends on how much you need to dose... Type of tank and size...

 

[cent36]

I have a reef tank 55g. don't need to dose much but my initial calcium levels are starting to fall.

 

[Balz3352]

Heavy in sps? Huge clam?
Idk I don't dose or have a reactor just trying to get info for the guys who know about this stuff.... These are the questions I usually see?

 

[Munch]

I have a 100 total water volume system, and I dose. I don't think I'm in need of a calcium reactor quite yet. I use the BRS calcium mix, and it lasts a good amount of time...

 

[aztecdreams]

It all depends on the size of tank and amount of calcium being used by your corals. I have a large mainly sps tank with some huge clams. I run a reactor and drip kalk,and still my levels slowly drop over time

 

[zombie]

For a 55, I woukd just dose. I have a heavily stocked 125 and my calcium reactor is set about as loe as it can go.

 

[sethsolomon]

yup for a 55g just dose 2 part. Once you get in the 100g+ tanks then its time to consider that $300-$800 purchase of a calcium reactor.

 

[BryanF]

I had a 150 and dosed for years. Thought dosing worked just fine

 

[cent36]

Cool! Thanks for the info.
I did find a $80 reactor on ebay for up to a 75g tank....didn't buy it, just saw it.

 

[sethsolomon]

Cool! Thanks for the info.
I did find a $80 reactor on ebay for up to a 75g tank....didn't buy it, just saw it.

I garentee that's just the chamber not any of the other equipment

you also need a pump for the chamber, CO2 regulator, CO2 tank, peristaltic pump to feed the reactor. and right there your looking at another $350+

 

[jda123]

Reactor will put trace elements into the water that dosing will not. You are basically melting coral skeleton, so you get everything that the coral used to make the skeleton. CaRx is an indispensable piece of equipment for the serious reefer, IMO... but they are not too cheap. You can typically get a whole setup for around $300 when somebody is getting out of the hobby.