Reactors

[jxlex]

Hi folks

Getting a little confused over the various reactors available and their uses...

I understand the Calcium Reactor is used to ensure calcium and kh levels are in check, but what about the others?

I'm planning of installing a calcium reactor and another reactor to keep my phosphate levels in check, which one should i be looking at?

I see phosban reactor, fr, etc... which is the best options?

i got very limited space so the reactors have to be a standalone outside the sump... i also just got a dosing system, which will come by later this week...

super confused...

and to think i wanted to keep my setup cheap when i first started....

all forany advice in advance...

[comycus]

What do you mean by you are getting a dosing system? Dosing pumps? That will help you maintain your Ca, Mg and KH levels. If that's the case, don't need Ca Reactor anymore. You can find debates on dosing pump vs ca reactor online.

Unless you are thinking of going full sps tank, i suggest not getting either equipment. Regular water changes is sufficient to replace and replenish your tank parameters. Until you gain more experience and want to go into sps then can consider then. It's not necessary to get all the equipment right now. Like you say, start slow first. Don't rush and get everything, sometimes buying stuff that you don't need.

You can get a fluidised reactor to put either phosphate remover or activated carbon. These are just simple reactors to which have the relevant media placed inside and running water through it to allow the media to have more contact with your tank water. It's another good to have equipment. My tank has been running w/o FR and is doing fine.

[jxlex]

oic...

ya i think its dosing pump + jerry can setup la.... it will be best if i can go for either cos space headache man... ahahaha.... bro for your info! will sit down n really consider....

What is a good phospate remover? btw, how do you manage your PO4 levels without a remover? i do a 10% WC everyweek and only started volka dosing 4 days back... current even after water change i still track a PO4 level of 1ppm leh... i using salifert test kits but not sure if im doing it right...

[comycus]

bro what do you mean by 1ppm? I think the limit is normally <0.03 lei... 1ppm your corals would be shrivelling up and dying in no time.

I use rowaphos. Alot of bros swear by it. I still put the media in my sump but I don't use FR. I place it in area of high water flow to maximise contact. Yes po4 can be removed using WC. Feed less. All fish food have some levels of po4.

I have also heard good stuff about goodbye po4 sold by Henry. He's having a great gss sale now, can check it out too.

btw which dosing pump are you getting? I'm considering getting one in future too if I do decide to make the plunge can go SPS dominated!

[jxlex]

bro what do you mean by 1ppm? I think the limit is normally <0.03 lei... 1ppm your corals would be shrivelling up and dying in no time.

I use rowaphos. Alot of bros swear by it. I still put the media in my sump but I don't use FR. I place it in area of high water flow to maximise contact. Yes po4 can be removed using WC. Feed less. All fish food have some levels of po4.

I have also heard good stuff about goodbye po4 sold by Henry. He's having a great gss sale now, can check it out too.

btw which dosing pump are you getting? I'm considering getting one in future too if I do decide to make the plunge can go SPS dominated!

Thats why i suspect im reading my testkit wrongly. COnfirmed not expired though... Cos all my corals open like nobody's business... when i use salifert do i have to divide by something or what i see is what i get? 4 drops of PO1 swirl a little, 1 scoop of PO2 swirl for 30sec then read... only i not sure i should be which i should be reading cos instruction says "The phosphate values are in ppm phosphate.If you prefer a reading in ppm Phosphate-Phosphor then divide the reading by 3." Uber confused.

I getting Iwarna to help with the dosing pumps for now first but no reviews yet until i try la I trying to get my equip up then if possible, plunge into SPSs too but equipment first la else no point anyways....

Can anyone advice if the way im testing is correct? thanks thanks

[comycus]

No need to divide by 3. But take the colour reading from top down, not at the side. It's really tt blue? Coz most of the time even with some po4, it should be a v. v. v. slight tinge of blue. In fact, if you are running po4 remover, will prob be clear water.

You can test RO/DI water. Result should be clear. If not, then test kit should be faulty.

What do you mean by getting Iwarna to help with dosing pumps? Does Victor bring in their in-house dosing pump? Otherwise the best value for money dosing pump I can find in the market right now is RD's profillux stand alone dosing pumps (cwith controller).

[jxlex]

No need to divide by 3. But take the colour reading from top down, not at the side. It's really tt blue? Coz most of the time even with some po4, it should be a v. v. v. slight tinge of blue. In fact, if you are running po4 remover, will prob be clear water.

You can test RO/DI water. Result should be clear. If not, then test kit should be faulty.

What do you mean by getting Iwarna to help with dosing pumps? Does Victor bring in their in-house dosing pump? Otherwise the best value for money dosing pump I can find in the market right now is RD's profillux stand alone dosing pumps (cwith controller).

Oh ya, why didnt i think of testing with home drinking water??

its light blue from top down leh.... thats why im quite surprise too.... i did a test yesterday after 10% water change still the same... will try with plain water and update again... headache...

You buy the controller, (which looks somewhat similar to the growtec ones) and 3 jerry cans from him and ask him help you setup? i think its $300+ almost $400... but problem with that is the 3 jerry can side by side almost a meter wide.... quite unsightly... still thinking still thinking...

[comycus]

Bro can PM me details of the controller? If it's only $300++ and is reliable, it's already 50% cheaper than the profillux one!

Jerry can? hmmm is it self mixed by Victor? I'm thinking of the ESV bionic calcium buffer system from RD. Quite good reviews on it.

[jxlex]

ok bro... will pm you accordingly.

lets move on without the doser...

[MarcoVan]

[comycus]

I see. That's still a v. new product right? Hopefully the quality is good, and can get good after sales support. Wil be looking out for it