Dosing pump or calcium reactor

[ZachM4]

Need help deciding on dosing pump or calcium reactor for 210 gallon tank looking for less matienance and over all performance but don't want to be handcuffed with what I put in tank lie stocked sps or clams ect. Thought and input would be a big help if you have been in this situation before thanks

 

[choff]

Zach, I dosed for a short time and found it to be a pita. I bought a ca reactor and recently put it online . Learning curve was quick and it's mostly set it and forget it once you are dialed in. Calc reactors tend to pay off faster on larger systems like yours. It is a large start up cost though and they do take up more space. My SRO dual chamber 3000 is a beast. Dual chamber is nice, I have almost no ph impact at all, but not necessary. I also highly recommend the Aquarium plants regulator.

 

[this is me]

I've ran a CA RX before the current dosing system and it was a lot more headache and heartache than the dosing system. First of all, your PH is always low unless you do something about it(using airstone, pull outside air into skimmer). Secondly, there's too components that can fail. The CO2 tank itself is pretty dangerous but people don't tend to think about it. The regulator(unless you spend $$$$ on a electronic one) always need to be adjust or replaced. The check valve also need to be looked at frequently. The bubble counter can leak over time, and the needle valve that control the effluent can get clogged. The media inside the chamber is basically dead stony corals. They contain a lot of phosphate.You'll have to keep this in mind and take the necessary step to remove it.

With a tank that size, I would try a dosing system first. If it's not sufficient for what you're keeping, you can always add a CA RX.

 

[hvusalt]

anyone had used Jebao DP-4 doser? looks like all built in one unit and just around $100-120. i am looking for a doser now and want to know what are out there that recommended? my tank is only 75 gallon with 55 gallon sump.
thanks

 

[bvs12]

I am also looking into the DP-4 doser. Have read a bunch of good reviews but would like to hear about some first hand experience with it.

 

[reefstarter]

The DP to me so far seems like a decent unit lots of program options you can dose 24 hours on each pump , set different dosing levels for each time , and set each pump to dose either 1- 30 times a month . as far as the actual pump heads , not really sure but most peristalic pumps are pretty reliable so I took a chance on it . But I am finding that dosing in my large system might not be the best way . so a Calcium reactor may be in my future

 

[reefstarter]

I've ran a CA RX before the current dosing system and it was a lot more headache and heartache than the dosing system. First of all, your PH is always low unless you do something about it(using airstone, pull outside air into skimmer). Secondly, there's too components that can fail. The CO2 tank itself is pretty dangerous but people don't tend to think about it. The regulator(unless you spend $$$$ on a electronic one) always need to be adjust or replaced. The check valve also need to be looked at frequently. The bubble counter can leak over time, and the needle valve that control the effluent can get clogged. The media inside the chamber is basically dead stony corals. They contain a lot of phosphate.You'll have to keep this in mind and take the necessary step to remove it.

With a tank that size, I would try a dosing system first. If it's not sufficient for what you're keeping, you can always add a CA RX.

The media inside the chamber is basically dead stony corals. They contain a lot of phosphate.You'll have to keep this in mind and take the necessary step to remove it.

Avery good point about the media in reactor . I have been trying to find the source of the cyano in my 90 and I think I may just have . Thank you

 

[choff]

I agree and would start out dosing manually for as long as you can take it and see what you think. Then do a little math on the costs and see what fits your budget. Ca rx are not cheap, but after the initial cost you are basically done. Dosing is an ongoing cost and is a bit more labor intensive with the periodic mixing depending on how big your containers are and tank consumption.


As for the issues with calc reactors , there is no reason to be using a needle valve to begin with. That is most people's biggest point of failure, but if you simply valve the inflow to the reactor to control your flow that way vs valving the calcium laden outflow you eliminate the major headache. That is generally the biggest issue people have with reactors . All the other points made are valid, but much less of an issue and dosing pumps have issues of their own.

Edit: with my dual chamber reactor the the ph impact is zero on my 300 gallon system. My ph never dips below 8.2 and my skimmer is even off right now because of a prazi treatment