Been in the hobby a long time. CARX scares me but this helped me understand it quite a bit better. Thanks for the well thought out breakdown. I have close 250g water volume system that acro dominant. At the rate of dosing im guessing this may be my next move. Only hard part of this is finding the space for this.
Just found this and a great video introduction in setting up a Calcium reactor. Now that it's been awhile, can you speak to how often you're replacing your media, whether or not you've had any of the issues with clogging that some calcium reactors create, and finally, can you talk about water changes and if you're still doing them while using the Calcium Reactor on your tank? Thanks, Jason
Hey Jason. I top media up every four months or so and have had no issues with clogging. I absolutely still do water changes. More for nutrient export than anything
@@ParkersReef i got rid of my GHL gear..... :( its frustrating gear...needs more work on the GUI the hardware i think is good its just a pain to program...
Sam let me tell you something… you might not realize it, but you have become one of the many important contributors in the reefing hobby. You might not think that way but I can assure you are. You are shoulder to shoulder with BRS, julian sprung, reef builders I can go on and on. Let me remind you I’m from Texas and I look forward to watching every one of your videos. I wish you health and happiness with not just you but your friends and family and of course your dream tank. You are truly an inspiration to any beginner hobbyist. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 happy new year my friend and happy belated birthday to your wife!!!!
fingers crossed... I had to buy a PC to reconnect it as the hand controller didn't have the option to do so and they don't have a OSX interface. Bought the PC laptop, reset the IP address, worked for a day and then lost connection again.... Super frustrating
@@ParkersReef 6.2 - 6.4 from main display? You meant the reactor chamber right? I set mine on at 6.0 and off at 5.8, still finding it hard to keep up my alkalinity. It is Caribsea extra arm corse, same you using, i find the melting point is kinda low? Your thoughts?
Certainly can, this specific model wouldn't unless I removed the shelf (which I didn't want to do), but there are plenty more suitably sized reactors that absolutely will
Out of curiosity how come you haven't considered a apex for your frag or main system which will also run your reactor... how do you monitor calcium and magnesium
@Parkers Reef you won't realize the value till you've got one....I thought the same thing too...then I said screw it I'm getting one and if it sucks I can still sell it a recoup the money....it's been the best money I've ever spent on my tank
How well does it maintain trace elements bc 2 part is just so easy I can't see this being worth it unless it actually maintained trace elements which as you know 2 part doesn't....but I've been looking into this Tropic marine trace supplement you can add to your 2 part
It maintains trace elements (to a degree) from the minerals in the coral bone it is melting. 2 part certainly can maintain trace as well if you add trace to the mixtures. Two part just becomes a hassle as you get to larger volumes of dosing and I always had trouble keeping the big three balanced with 2 or 3 part
Great video - thanks for the in depth look. One question as I plan my own DIY CA reactor - I assume if you have the Carbon Doser you don't need a separate solenoid valve? One can just plug in the Carbon Doser to a controllable outlet, and turn that on/off for safety based on pH control via Apex or other controller?
Yes that is correct, the carbon doser has it's own solenoid valve built in. And yes, you can just plug that into a PH control device for safety. To be honest, with the carbon doser I have even ran without any PH control before as it is so precise I could just dial the ph up and down via the seconds per bubble (but I wouldn't recommend that)
@@ParkersReef Awesome, will pick one up for my build. Been watching your channel for a while, and just started my own to document my build - check it out. I appreciate all your inspiration!
Calcium reactors always scared me. I am kicking myself for not switching sooner. They are really super simple and easy to run. ESP with automated alkalinity testers of today. I have been running mine with hydros and Alkatronic and it automatically regulates my pH in the reactor based on my alkalinity readings. It’s the easiest setup I’ve ever ran. It even automatically compensates with running Kalkwasser heavily on top of it as well.
Frag tanks are generally smaller systems.. why this vs kalk or 2 part? I have a 90 sps dominant and currently 2 part but really need CaRx as salinity keeps creeping up daily.
I really want some kind of electrical CO2 generator so I could just make my own CO2 at home. But I just use No3Po4X anyways. I'd like to stick with No3Po4X for a while. It does reduce oxygen in the water so I've heard although I haven't had any problems yet. Eventually I'll get a dosing system going and dialed in for my tank but I've been dosing everything by hand now for almost a year.
Did any one came up with this might have being your iodine probleem . im not sure , but your calcium reactor media could have give of some more trace elements with a higher ph (some even contain phosfate) and not the calcium . or your media maybe contained some more iodine than normal ! Besides iodine and strontium make coralline algea grow well
Been in the hobby a long time. CARX scares me but this helped me understand it quite a bit better. Thanks for the well thought out breakdown. I have close 250g water volume system that acro dominant. At the rate of dosing im guessing this may be my next move. Only hard part of this is finding the space for this.
Glad it helped! If you have any questions, just yell out!
Just found this and a great video introduction in setting up a Calcium reactor. Now that it's been awhile, can you speak to how often you're replacing your media, whether or not you've had any of the issues with clogging that some calcium reactors create, and finally, can you talk about water changes and if you're still doing them while using the Calcium Reactor on your tank? Thanks, Jason
Hey Jason. I top media up every four months or so and have had no issues with clogging.
I absolutely still do water changes. More for nutrient export than anything
this is the video i need. most videos skip some steps or info. i really do appreciate your knowledge.
Ah glad it was of use mate!
Parker, you lost me at find your local brew dispenser, cheers 🍺 🍻 🥃 😂
Hahahahaha
Oh so excited! Keen to see the cove and setup with profilux mini.
I must admit, I didn’t go into huge detail on the profilux as it’s being a total pain in the rear…
@@ParkersReef i got rid of my GHL gear..... :( its frustrating gear...needs more work on the GUI the hardware i think is good its just a pain to program...
Sam let me tell you something… you might not realize it, but you have become one of the many important contributors in the reefing hobby. You might not think that way but I can assure you are. You are shoulder to shoulder with BRS, julian sprung, reef builders I can go on and on. Let me remind you I’m from Texas and I look forward to watching every one of your videos. I wish you health and happiness with not just you but your friends and family and of course your dream tank. You are truly an inspiration to any beginner hobbyist. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 happy new year my friend and happy belated birthday to your wife!!!!
Thanks so much mate, that really means a lot. Take care and enjoy your reef keeping 👍🏻
Great video, I’m starting to get in to wanting to dose with a calc reactor. How has this one held up on your system?
yeah it's worked a treat! If you buy a quality unit that is large for your needs, you'll always have a good time :)
Hi Sam, always love your video👍 thank you for your efforts!
Could you tell me where did you get your CarbonDoser regulator?
Cheers mate. I bought it second hand
Welcome to the world of GHL! Hardest time to get it connected.. but once it is..it’s a great system!!
fingers crossed... I had to buy a PC to reconnect it as the hand controller didn't have the option to do so and they don't have a OSX interface. Bought the PC laptop, reset the IP address, worked for a day and then lost connection again.... Super frustrating
Awesome vid Sam, very well done mate 👍
Cheers Jamie!
Great job, very well explained, not using one yet but maybe in the future .thanks mate
Thanks Antonio!
Hi Sam, thx for the video. Have you hooked one up to your main tank yet? I wonder what Ph set point range you have set it on and off at? Thx
sure have mate, from almost day 1! I have my ph between 6.2 and 6.4 on my main display
@@ParkersReef 6.2 - 6.4 from main display? You meant the reactor chamber right? I set mine on at 6.0 and off at 5.8, still finding it hard to keep up my alkalinity. It is Caribsea extra arm corse, same you using, i find the melting point is kinda low? Your thoughts?
Awesome video mate 👌🏼cove reactor on the cards in the next few months and can follow this guide cheers
Glad it was of use mate, cheers
Hi Sam, I have a cade & im curious if the calcium reactor will fit in the end cabinet were the chiller might usually go?
Certainly can, this specific model wouldn't unless I removed the shelf (which I didn't want to do), but there are plenty more suitably sized reactors that absolutely will
Hi Sam, how did you set the orange and the yellow circulate valves on the cove reactor. I can't find any info on if i leave them on or off.
Wide open mate
Thanks Sam for a great video. Really helped me set up my calcium reactor. I’ve noticed my ph in my tank has dropped quite a bit. Is that normal?
Glad it helped mate! Yeah you will likely see a small reduction in ph
Out of curiosity how come you haven't considered a apex for your frag or main system which will also run your reactor... how do you monitor calcium and magnesium
I personally find the apex to be overpriced and lacking in features
Calcium and magnesium I manually test once a month. As I use a calcium reactor, they remain steady with alk
@Parkers Reef you won't realize the value till you've got one....I thought the same thing too...then I said screw it I'm getting one and if it sucks I can still sell it a recoup the money....it's been the best money I've ever spent on my tank
How well does it maintain trace elements bc 2 part is just so easy I can't see this being worth it unless it actually maintained trace elements which as you know 2 part doesn't....but I've been looking into this Tropic marine trace supplement you can add to your 2 part
It maintains trace elements (to a degree) from the minerals in the coral bone it is melting. 2 part certainly can maintain trace as well if you add trace to the mixtures. Two part just becomes a hassle as you get to larger volumes of dosing and I always had trouble keeping the big three balanced with 2 or 3 part
Oh this is a prime thumbnail! Are you big into Phish? HAHA
Hahahaha
Could you do a long term review on the kh keeper plus and a comparison with other kh monitors that you have used?
Yeah I’ll see what I can do.
Great video - thanks for the in depth look. One question as I plan my own DIY CA reactor - I assume if you have the Carbon Doser you don't need a separate solenoid valve? One can just plug in the Carbon Doser to a controllable outlet, and turn that on/off for safety based on pH control via Apex or other controller?
Yes that is correct, the carbon doser has it's own solenoid valve built in. And yes, you can just plug that into a PH control device for safety. To be honest, with the carbon doser I have even ran without any PH control before as it is so precise I could just dial the ph up and down via the seconds per bubble (but I wouldn't recommend that)
@@ParkersReef Awesome, will pick one up for my build. Been watching your channel for a while, and just started my own to document my build - check it out. I appreciate all your inspiration!
@@ReefEco I'll head over and check it out now!
Calcium reactors always scared me. I am kicking myself for not switching sooner. They are really super simple and easy to run. ESP with automated alkalinity testers of today. I have been running mine with hydros and Alkatronic and it automatically regulates my pH in the reactor based on my alkalinity readings. It’s the easiest setup I’ve ever ran. It even automatically compensates with running Kalkwasser heavily on top of it as well.
Yeah that’s awesome. I’ve been watching you’ve been doing with hydros.
You stated bubbles per second however, as the CO2Doser reminds, it's SECONDS PER BUBBLE.
My apologies :)
Frag tanks are generally smaller systems.. why this vs kalk or 2 part? I have a 90 sps dominant and currently 2 part but really need CaRx as salinity keeps creeping up daily.
I like them, that's the only reason why :P
Have you tried soda ash instead for your alk
I sure have yes. Works fine, is just a bit annoying preparing
what media use to magnesium
I like a combo of magnesium additions, from zeo mag, remag even dolomite :)
I really want some kind of electrical CO2 generator so I could just make my own CO2 at home. But I just use No3Po4X anyways.
I'd like to stick with No3Po4X for a while. It does reduce oxygen in the water so I've heard although I haven't had any problems yet.
Eventually I'll get a dosing system going and dialed in for my tank but I've been dosing everything by hand now for almost a year.
No3Po4X as in the Red Sea brand of carbon dosing? That is a different form of carbon :)
I just use my Trident to turn my dosing pump on and off. That way it’s guaranteed to keep my alkalinity as close to level as possible.
yep that will work, nice one!
Did any one came up with this might have being your iodine probleem . im not sure , but your calcium reactor media could have give of some more trace elements with a higher ph (some even contain phosfate) and not the calcium . or your media maybe contained some more iodine than normal ! Besides iodine and strontium make coralline algea grow well
Did test the calcium reactor effluent and it had no raised levels. Good thought though!