All About Calcium Reactors

[@davidmiller4594]

I had a ca reactor sitting for about a year. I ended up getting korallin full setup from a friend and have been researching them. This video is the best help of understanding the set up and tuning that I have found yet. Thanks!! ~subbed

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks for the feedback, good luck with the reactor!

[@brianculater6444]

Hello Parker, I must say you are right there is tons of videos on this topic but I must also say that this is one of the best videos that I have come across simply because you explain it so well. I wish I would’ve found this video when it came out but hey better late than never, thanks for making this video. 👍

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@jeremyspiteribailey8156]

What do you do when your CO2 runs out? Do you have a spare CO2 tank and just switch them around until the used tank is refilled?

[@ParkersReef]

Correct. Have a spare co2 cylinder that I can pop in whilst I get the other one refilled

[@markdickinson2650]

Hi Interested to know what brand Cal and mag media are you running through your reactor. Was looking to use 2LF reborn and Remag but cannot locate supplies in AU. My second option was ARM but they don’t do a Mag media and struggling to locate one in AU. Cheers

[@ParkersReef]

Hey Mark. I run ARM extra course and add in any of the following mag media: Dolomite, zeomag or neomag

[@markdickinson2650]

Thanks

[@markdickinson2650]

Are the carbondoser auto valve available in Australia or do they need ordering from the states. Does using the carbondoser valve remove the need to use a ph controller such as Milwaukee MC122 which can control the flow of CO2 into the reactor to increase/decrease ph level.

[@ParkersReef]

They are not sold on australia no, so need to be imported. I run mine without PH control, I just rely on a steady bubble instead :)

[@markdickinson2650]

Thanks. What’s your estimated flow rate are you feeding the reactor from your display?

[@ParkersReef]

I'd be around 120ml a miniute

[@markdickinson2650]

Parkers Reef ok so approx 7 LPH that should be easily achieved taping off my return pump.

[@ParkersReef]

@@markdickinson2650 yeah I currently run it off my return pump, but am in the process of switching over the ecotech versa pumps for all my calcium reactors.

[@peterthomas7760]

Bill Wann had a 20% off special just before Xmas, so I went full out and have purchased a 8” automatic calcium reactor with the new controller, he even said it may have the updated wifi module just have to wait and see. It’s to run my 1600 ltr reef . Now I am just waiting and researching. Nice video.

[@ParkersReef]

Sensational! Enjoy!!!

[@deancampbell7704]

Do you there would be a issue if I had a calcium reactor rated at 800l for a 400l tank??i was thinking of upgrading in a few years so want to future proof!my tank sps only,this would be my first time using one looking at the dastaco.

[@ParkersReef]

No problem at all

[@arielpetty9623]

How long does it take for the ph inside the calcium reactor to drop to 6.7-6.8? I have an aquamaxx calcium reactor with carbon doser and Milwaukee ph monitor. So far it’s been running for a week now and the ph still showing 7.8 to 7.9 ph.

[@ParkersReef]

It should drop down in about 10-15minutes You might need to speed up your co2 rate

[@ParkersReef]

Or calibrate your PH probe

[@arielpetty9623]

Parkers Reef I calibrated the ph probe with 4.0 and 7.0 fluid

[@arielpetty9623]

The effluent is at 40 ml per minute and 6 bubble per second . My co2 gauge is at 7

[@GREGELZZ]

what sort of flow are you running through yours? started it off 20ml/min

[@ParkersReef]

I ended up cranking it pretty high with a fairly low PH... but on the new tanks it’s not got co2 connected yet. Will start somewhere around that mark 👍🏻

[@Reefahholic]

Parker, if you were going to buy a new calcium reactor today- what would you buy? Which reactors have worked the best for you? Do you use the Electronic CO2 Regulators and Kamoer pumps on all your tanks now? What all do you use currently on your main system?

[@ParkersReef]

Hey mate! I would buy either a Aquarium Engineering unit of budget allowed, or a Geo if budget was a bit tighter. I do use the co2 doser regulators and will be switching over to the Ecotech Versa pumps as soon as they are realised

[@Reefahholic]

@Parkers Reef OK, so I guess it’s gonna be a GEO :-). Bill Wann does make a nice automatic unit I see that you have as well. How will the Versa pump replace the Electronic Carbondoser CO2 Regulator? Does it control bubble count?

[@Reefahholic]

@Parkers Reef is it good to go double the system volume on a calcium reactor like a skimmer?

[@ParkersReef]

The Versa is a supply Pump for the water - will still use the carbon doser electronic regulators

[@Reefahholic]

@Parkers Reef I thought you said you T-off the return pump. Is it better to run a reactor off a manifold/return pump or have a dedicated feed pump?

[@arielpetty9623]

If I want to test the carbon doser itself to see if it works ,what steps should I do?

[@ParkersReef]

Power it up and turn the dial to here it clicking. Connect up to a gas bottle to see if it is holding pressure 👍🏻

[@andrew5762]

Sam Question please I 2 part dose now Red Sea ABC , and was wondering if to go down the calcium reactor (Deltec twin tech ) 75gal mixed reef 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ParkersReef]

That’s entirely up to you! I prefer calcium reactors but I still dose things also 😅 Generally the tipping point is when you get to the point of dosing too much 2 part. “Too much” as in you get sick of mixing the liquids or buying them all the time :)

[@peach0221]

Where did you find a geo calcium reactor in Australia, I've been looking out for them but haven't seen them

[@ParkersReef]

Second hand only in aus. Buy new from geo in America. They are great posting to aus though

[@peach0221]

Parkers Reef ok cool, any idea on the rate for postage?

[@ParkersReef]

@@peach0221 it's been a while, but honestly - Geo was very reasonable. Get in touch with them, he sends a lot out to Australia

[@peach0221]

Parkers Reef ok thank you mate :) will do

[@ParkersReef]

Tell him you saw it on Parker’s reef, he won’t know anything about my channel - but it can’t hurt! 😅😂

[@helenocan8933]

My husbands put on a calcium reactor however it seems to be increasing alkalinity. we currently have it set to 6.6ph and a 40ml flow rate, what should we adjust to lower the dosage

[@ParkersReef]

It will raise alkalinity, calcium and magnesium. You can either raise the ph or lower the flow rate, I would raise the ph though

[@helenocan8933]

@@ParkersReef think i found the issue, the weipro ph controller we are using does not seem to be turning the solenoid on and off resulting in continuous dosing, ive slowed the bubble count right down for now, what ph controller do you recommend that isnt cheap chinese branded

[@ParkersReef]

I actually like the weipro units, have served me well for years. That being said, I do use the carbon doser electronic regulator with them

[@joeassi7090]

Thanks for the mention! Great video 👍

[@ParkersReef]

was a good tip!

[@benhuan5575]

Hey sam! Do u know where to get the carbon doser now?

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah still from USA is the go, either direct from carbon doser or from grid reef

[@waynejohn2860]

Love the videos great stuff keep them coming would love video on controling green hair algee if possible cheers keep it up thanks again WAYNE

[@ParkersReef]

Hey Wayne, thanks for the comment! I’ll see if I can do a video on hair algae soon. Just need to find a suitable tank for the video :)

[@crazyinkjets7005]

i tried hooking up my GEO the pump seems like was running dry even though i have so much water in there all the way top, and it was making noise any ideas why?

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah you will need to purge all the air out of the system. Air from the plumbing, media and then the co2 gas can produce pockets of air that your pump can’t push through. Try leaving the pump and gas off for a day or two and just let the effluent flow throw. Then it should be free of any gases and the pump will run fine

[@peterthomas7760]

Just as additive, Bill Wann recommends the Two Little Fishes Rebourn to put in the reactor, mainly due to the standard size of the media.

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah fair enough. I’d recommend what you can get hold of easily as you want to be able to stay on the same media over time if possible. Will keep your trace and macro elements more stable that way

[@grantsearles511]

is that automated bill wan cal reactor with apex port?

[@ParkersReef]

It is not I'm afraid. Was purchased before Bill did the automated calcium reactor. It is automated with a KHG though :)

[@alexandravivaldi9993]

Nice setup you think you can show us the corals also

[@ParkersReef]

Check out the other videos on my channel mate :)

[@ikanMarine]

after using calcium reactor need still dose liquid alkanility?

[@ParkersReef]

Need? No. Choose to in this instance, yes

[@jobetq4528]

Thanks for the info