How To Setup A Calcium Reactor Part 1

In this video I'll go over the first half of setting up a calcium reactor on a reef tank. We'll unbox it, go over the layout of it, fill it with media, plumb it up and get water flowing through it.
In part 2, we'll hook up the c02 and control it via a ghl profilux mini

[@deathrowinmate28]

You set that up on the kitchen bench. My wife would never allow that. Lol. Another great video.

[@ParkersReef]

Hahaha on her new Caesar stone benchtop? 😅😂🤣

[@MrBrohoward71]

Like these product review videos and your presenting style works for it well. Howevér the kitchen backdrop doesn't work for me. Anyway you could do this in front of your tank ? Thanks for making sense of a reactor for us but man that needs some real estate hey

[@ParkersReef]

haha yeah I hear you, but it does make for an easy recording booth. Would love to have a dedicated recording space but it just isn't easy

[@muhammadamirbinmohdazman6363]

Would like to see how you setup this cove reactor together with alkatronic. Awesome vid!

[@ParkersReef]

I don’t have an alkatronic unfortunately :)

[@Reefahholic]

What a stunner! Mr. Chen Leo makes some nice equipment. 👍🏼

[@ParkersReef]

yeah it is a great reactor!

[@markgraham1492]

Very interesting... was surprised you used the plastic media inside the small chamber. Expected you to change that. Wish my tank was big enough to have one of those. Thx Sam

[@ParkersReef]

I think it serves a good purpose, but I can easily remove down the track if need be :)

[@paulukreefer5012]

Thanks Sam, great video. Looking forward to part two!

[@ParkersReef]

Cheers Paul!

[@petesreef1891]

Looks the business Sam , nice bit of kit I’m running dastaco xtrema it’s great plug and play 👍👍👍

[@ParkersReef]

Oooooh mate that it fancy! I’m jealous :)

[@lcj2046]

Very nice calcium reactor. I use a Geo with a carbon doser Course media last a long time. Stable levels small adjustments as corals grow. Good luck with your new Calcium reactor

[@ParkersReef]

Geo's are lovely reactors. carbon dosers are the best and yes, course media is great. Nice one :)

[@mingwu3443]

Can't wait for part 2!

[@ParkersReef]

Thanks mate!

[@umar]

Decent reactor. Usually it's rocket science to get it all together.

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah this was handy being that it was 98% assembled

[@PunchGaming1007]

Watch this video like 10 times. Still cannot decide between Cove and Seatorch. 😢

[@ParkersReef]

Which does your LFS get in? Go wit that option :)

[@PunchGaming1007]

@@ParkersReef They dont have both 🤣

[@mxgaming4051]

Now that you've had both, do you prefer the Seatorch or the Cove?

[@ParkersReef]

I probably prefer the seatorch for its build quality, however the cove is larger volume

[@kevinlim1632]

awaiting for part 2 !

[@ParkersReef]

haha yeah sorry, it is coming!

[@chelmswoodjunction]

Hello Another brilliant video from parkers reef. I do have one question when will you be doing the second part of this video adding the co2 system. As I'm slowly getting a frag tank up amd running and looking at how to add calcium with dosing liquids etc. Peter from Birmingham uk

[@ParkersReef]

Yes part 2 is coming!!! Sorry for the delays

[@Drew_3_3]

I currently don’t have coral in my tank but am planning to. I have experience keeping coral as well. I know over time as you add more coral dosing or a calc reactor is necessary. In your opinion what’s more beneficial/cost effective?

[@ParkersReef]

Cost effective I still think dosing wins out (as long as you buy your supplements at a reasonable price). But price isn't everything, calcium reactors deliver the elements evenly and deliver a lot of trace elements too. Ultimately it comes down to the size of the tank (I wouldn't bother with a calcium reactor on anything less than say 5ft) and the amount of coral you have

[@nikoaman7520]

Hi Sam great video as always! I have recently started up my new glue company and would like to send you one for you to put it to the test. Cheers Nick

[@ParkersReef]

Hey Nick, sounds great - shoot me an email. Sparker at Deakin dot edu dot au

[@PunchGaming1007]

Hi Sam, does it still work? I cannot find any new review around for the product. Thanks.

[@ParkersReef]

it sure does. Is a quality bit of gear!

[@notnanovakovic2421]

Always thought of adding one but not sure if it would be worth it on a nano. What do you think? Would it worth looking into a nano reactor?

[@ParkersReef]

I would not add one to a nano. They are expensive and large. Plus the benefits on a nano would not be huge

[@simmo56able]

Thanks for demystifying a calcium reactor Sam. They always looked a bit scary to me. My big concern with a calcium reactor is the low pH of the effluent as even with a big Kalk reactor our tank still only runs at 7.9 to 8.0

[@ParkersReef]

I personally have never worried too much about it - I know PH is the parameter of the month and for good reason, but it aint worth over thinking too much :)

[@simmo56able]

I know it may not be a factor for reefers with a pH of 8.3/4. But when you struggle to keep it at 7.9 to 8.0 every decimal point counts

[@ParkersReef]

@@simmo56able I hear you, but I personally still wouldn't bother worrying

[@jaisonk3949]

Nice video Sam, wondering what co2 regulator to go with this. I’m keen with the idea that this doesn’t need an extra feed pump ❤️

[@ParkersReef]

thanks mate. I'm a big fan of carbon doser co2 regulators, but I recognise they are as dear as poison

[@naderfahmy4426]

Hi Sam, want to ask how are you going with the Cove after a couple of years. I was looking at a reactor and was considering the Cove, Geo and the Sea torch. What's your experience with all three?

[@ParkersReef]

yeah it's a solid unit. I quite like some of the developments in the new Geo range though, I would check those out first to see what the gas savings is like. But if you got the opportunity to get a sea torch or a cove at a reasonable price, they're both great options.

[@naderfahmy4426]

@@ParkersReef Cheers Bud

[@ParkersReef]

@naderfahmy4426 pleasure!

[@dilshanudayasiri231]

Hey Sam. Running a calcium reactor without reomag. Mg is 1320. Was going to add reomag to get it up a bit. Can you overdose mg by adding reomag to a reactor?

[@ParkersReef]

yeah can overdose it, but it takes an awful lot of mag to overdose... I think you'd be safe adding a little to your reactor

[@PunchGaming1007]

I feel like it is noisy when you turn on the recirculation pump.

[@ParkersReef]

It will make more noise yes

[@lielm7608]

Hey man, i just got the cr-150. Filled it up and it looks great, however its not suctioning from the sump. I thought this reactor doesn’t need a feed pump? can you advise or should i reach out to customer service? Thanks man

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah it certainly is meant to feed itself via that suction. Make sure you’ve got all the lines correct and if so, reach out to support

[@lielm7608]

@@ParkersReef thanks for the quick response man! Seems like everything is connected properly… ill reach out to them asap. Much appreciated!

[@ParkersReef]

Good luck with it!

[@jaisonk3949]

Can I ask what hose holder you are using Sam, the black one next to return pump?

[@ParkersReef]

thats a neat one I picked up from an aussie maker called "Rack City". They make some great magnetic accessories

[@jaisonk3949]

Thanks Sam 😊

[@Shane-dy7ct]

Great video, I’ve been thinking of switching from dosing to a calcium reactor for a while, if I did it exactly as you have what kind of budget am I looking at ?

[@ParkersReef]

That is the scary part… I’d budget $2500aud if buying new

[@matthewlaw8859]

Does a seatorch CaRx require a pump of is it like this one?

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah I’d recommend feeding the seatorch reactor. Either tee off your return pump or use a continuous duty peristaltic pump

[@tfpjr]

That arm extra coarse aragonite media needs a ton of co2 to dissolve imo. Maybe put a flow meter somewhere you can quickly take a look too? I have one on the feed line to the reactor.

[@ParkersReef]

I've used it for years and always found it pretty efficient on co2. No need for flow meter, I mean it would be amazing, but a similar cost of a peristaltic feed pump.

[@tfpjr]

@@ParkersReef maybe it's just my reactor that has a hard time melting it. Reborn or similar media melts faster for me. The flow meter I was referring to is a Dwyer that you can modify with John guest fittings. Like $60 usd 👍 Appreciate your videos man!

[@ParkersReef]

Ah yep, this reactor comes with a flow meter, but I find it easier to just time a set volume on the effluent when you need to. Will check out those flow meters though to see if they’re better than the included one. Interesting, never had an issue getting strong effluent from arm extra course and it is always available which is super important, reborn seems to come in and out of availability which concerns me! Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it!!

[@lucky4eja]

Good video mate, how do you compare cove and seatorch reactors?

[@ParkersReef]

Both have their pros and cons. I like the fit and finish of the seatorch more, but do like the way this does not need a feed pump :)

[@djray77]

I wish Cove was available in the US. I emailed Cove and ask them but never replied.

[@ParkersReef]

ah that's a shame :(

[@migueltostado7184]

I see that you have a bashsea reactor with bioballs, what is that reactor? I have a bashsea bioplastic and they think in the same way to put that type of bioballs for more bacteria, is it okay or what do you think?

[@ParkersReef]

Yeah it’s just my “seeding” reactor. Just has ceramic media inside it, allows me to remove and add to another tank to help not mature :)

[@ronstein1435]

Hi Sam, great introduction to this reactor. Currently I am in the market for a 2nd Calcium Reactor and since your part 2 is not ready yet, can you provide any pros and cons if I am thinking of purchasing this reactor for xmas? One major issue I have with my current AquaMaxx T3, is that it is constantly circulating lots of excess CO2 bubbles even though I have it tuned with the minimum setting of 1 bubble every 10secs on the CarbonDoser. The design of this AquaMaxx reactor does not allow, when needed, temporary path any excess CO2 to escape. Drilling a extra outlet thru the lid is problematic, since it is not very thick in any locations where the bubbles circulate.. Does the Cove CR200 have this problem? Do you recommend it?

[@ParkersReef]

that's probably a plus - you don't want the c02 exiting the reactor as it is not very efficient then. I think the key is for it to be quiet when it is processing the c02. I have to say, when I first setup the cove I thought it was very loud, but it has quietened down nicely since.

[@ronstein1435]

@@ParkersReef Just to be clear, I only desire to let out the excess CO2 (manually with a small valve that is only opened for a second or two perhaps once a month) that has accumulated and obviously will never be full absorbed since the reactor is always being fed more and more CO2 on a 24hr/day basis. Wondering if you don't find that excess CO2 is being circulated over and over again with your own reactors. If so, do you just leave the excess and ignore it? Thanks for your replies, Ron

[@drewschneider1935]

When will we see part 2? I'm getting my reactor setup and could use a few pointers.

[@ParkersReef]

Next week or two :)

[@ParkersReef]

Feel free to ask any questions here though ☺️

[@drewschneider1935]

Thank you so much for the rapid reply. I think I've worked through my issues. I was trying to use my Apex to control the regulator, but ultimately gave up. The Apex unit head was too far from the reactor to make it convenient. And for $140 the Milwaukee controller made the operation virtually idiot proof. Your tank is an inspiration and your videos are spot on.

[@ParkersReef]

ah glad to hear mate! All the best with the reactor, hopefully I can share some helpful tips in part 2!

[@adamhudson6812]

At this point I have a 150 gallon reef with pH of 8.14, alk of 7.89, and mag of 1537mg. How would I know I would need to use a calcium reactor? It’s been running for 6ish months now

[@ParkersReef]

You want to look at a calcium reactor when you either don’t want to dose, or you are dosing large volumes. If not dosing anything yet, no need for any action with those parameters

[@murfwithjess]

what ever happen to part 2???

[@ParkersReef]

It’s coming… it’s Christmas, lots of competing priorities! 😅

[@suvporridge2603]

That is a beautiful piece of equipment but i need something for 100-300 dollarydoos

[@ParkersReef]

hehehe yeah, that does make it a little tougher, even used calcium reactors are likely to be more than that. You could make a PVC calcium reactor for about that price though?

[@pn7836]

Any affordable options for less than or around the $1k mark??

[@ABarnes136]

Not really. You will be able to get a reactor cheap (ish) but when it comes to tech like Co2 regulators its best not to cheap out, trying to save cash now will probably hurt more later. The hard part here is the combination of required equipment.

[@ParkersReef]

Second hand reactors are usually fine. But yeah, get yourself a quality regulator for sure

[@pn7836]

@@ParkersReef How much are the CO2 regulators?

[@ParkersReef]

@@pn7836 range from $150 to $850

[@-Wreckanize-]

I just use All for Reef on an auto doser, but where's the fun in that?!

[@ParkersReef]

works an absolute treat for smaller tanks for sure!

[@ABarnes136]

This video wasn't influenced by any conversations at a certain LFS over the last couple of weeks was it haha.

[@ParkersReef]

Hahaha not at all!!

[@user-rk3id2zf8c]

You pick or Cove send it to you? xD

[@ParkersReef]

Picked it up from Aquamarine Aquaristic :)

[@yaolun6163]

Cove is the worst brand I've ever used

[@ParkersReef]

Any constructive reasoning? :D

[@cheridanicola625]

29nt22 #von.ong

[@ParkersReef]

You don’t say 😅

[@lyclaudian2860]

e3zzhc #von.ong

[@ParkersReef]

Intriguing