[ianizaguirre]

whats the best calcium reactor out there for about 2- 300$ perferebley lower and is it really worth it and whats the maintainance on it ?? with a website If you can

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by ianizaguirre

whats the best calcium reactor out there for about 2- 300$ perferebley lower and is it really worth it and whats the maintainance on it ?? with a website If you can

I dont know of any in that price range. By the time you get the reactor, gauges, ph probe and say a 10# tank its at least $600 and usually closer to $800

Ian...I would concentrate on other things that are going to be much more beneficial to you in the short term, say in the next year or two. A Ca reactor is really not neccessary untill you get to stocking SPS and or clams.

[ianizaguirre]

so Jim in your honest opinion what should i now concentreate on ???? a sump for equitment ( which is not important at all and may not consider if i dont find a quiet overflow)?? stocking corals??? I already just pursched a better light ( the 6 bulb t-5 Nova Extreme Pro which i get on saturday) and one more question is getting a bottle of calcium and hand dosing really a pain or riskey and EXPENSIVE ???????? like really what should i do next ????

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by ianizaguirre

so Jim in your honest opinion what should i now concentreate on ???? a sump for equitment ( which is not important at all and may not consider if i dont find a quiet overflow)?? stocking corals??? I already just pursched a better light ( the 6 bulb t-5 Nova Extreme Pro which i get on saturday) and one more question is getting a bottle of calcium and hand dosing really a pain or riskey and EXPENSIVE ???????? like really what should i do next ????

The most important piece of equipment is you! And you are the least expensive or the most expensive piece if the puzzle!

I guess I would disagree with you saying the sump is not important. Absolutely necessary...no but most good reef tanks have them. IMO it is the heart of your system. Its where all critical mechanical and some biological filtration takes place. You can add your top off water there. You can do your water changes from there. You can set up a refugium there which is great for nutrient export and growing food like copepods. You can dose things like Ca,Mg,Sodium Bicarbonate...some people even have small frag tanks set up in their sump.

A lot of stuff happens in your sump. I have redone my sump 3 times in the first year and am still not satisfied or finished for that matter. Show me a properly planned and cared for sump a great reef tank is usually close by.

I would say concentrate on sump, sump set up and skimmer (your # 1 defense against pest algaes and Cyano).

A quality skimmer, DIY sump, return pump, carbon or phosphate reactor, Refugium is already pushing the $500 mark.

If your tank is not drilled I have no experience there. I have never used a Wier box or the like. Do not know what kind of noise those things make.

Calcium is usually not an issue starting out and I believe most people are using 2 part Ca additives which are easy and safe if used in conjunction with a test kit. Until you get into SPS and possibly some clams the Calcium is really not a big deal nor expensive.

Right now your light is coming! Work on getting that set up with the bulb combination you want! Its just starting!

[WILLIAM1]

B-Ionic is what I have been using for the last year. I just got a used calcium reactor with Co2 , gauges. But still about $450 used..... Start with a 2 part. Its alot easier to start with just buy it by the gallon its like $30 and will last you about 4-6 months depending on how much you dose...

[ianizaguirre]

O ok william i will when i get a coral that needs it like "Montipora capicornis" which i want
(hope my new light fixture can supply one for my tank)

Jim i already have a HOB refugium but have no cheto in right now because of a small flood that occured do to a clog ( my fault)

i will make a DIY sump ( when i get the money) but my problem is just wanting to no if there are any quite Over Flows

My HOB refugium already has a built in skimmer rated for a 60 gallon tank

[WILLIAM1]

Just a month ago there was a thread going on about an overflow that seemed to be great I think under DYI threads...

Make the sump out of a used tank just add some plexi..

That light will do great on your tank just wait.....2 thumbs up on the T5's no matter which brand its a step in the right direction.

[ianizaguirre]

cool ill look at that overflow thread other then that 3 more questions one how can i prevent a flood ( i am guesing you have a sump)

and 2- hows your sump overflow ??

and3- can i keep a Montipora capicornis ???

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by WILLIAM1

B-Ionic is what I have been using for the last year. I just got a used calcium reactor with Co2 , gauges. But still about $450 used..... Start with a 2 part. Its alot easier to start with just buy it by the gallon its like $30 and will last you about 4-6 months depending on how much you dose...

Hahahaha $30 a month? I am now slow dripping 12 oz a day. Im buying 2 part by the 5 gal bucket. William...wanna sell that Ca reactor?

[WILLIAM1]

Now way took to long to get this one....Dont want to be in the same boat LOL 5 gallon buckets your the man..

[CyberJester]

Originally Posted by ianizaguirre

...

i will make a DIY sump ( when i get the money) but my problem is just wanting to no if there are any quite Over Flows
...

It is not the overflow that is loud. It is where the water enters your sump usually that is what causes the noise. However, I find it has a really nice waterfall kinda sound that is really quite soothing.

If you make sure you put the sump under your stand and keep the doors closed to it. You really won't notice the noise much.

[ianizaguirre]

ok i will but what about floods how can i prevent it

[CyberJester]

Originally Posted by ianizaguirre

ok i will but what about floods how can i prevent it

I never have to worry about flooding. If you use a HOB overflow. Then you have to worry about more water. If the tank is drilled with an overflow, then you only have to worry about the sump being able to handle enough water for it to sink below the overflow line. I make sure that my sump can hold that amount of water at all times. So if something happens it just drains into the sump.

The only situation you would really have to worry about is something clogging the drain tube to your sump. If that happens all the water from your sump will be pumped into the tank. With no way to get back to the sump your tank would flow over and create a flood. So word to the wise make sure nothing can crawl into your drain tube IE SNAILS.

[ianizaguirre]

so if i have an overflow which i am going to get ( is it silent??) the only thing i have to worry about is the extra water flowing back inside my sump so if thisis right i just have to make sure that the sump is not full al the way so theres spave just in case ?? am i right ??

[CyberJester]

Originally Posted by ianizaguirre

so if i have an overflow which i am going to get ( is it silent??) the only thing i have to worry about is the extra water flowing back inside my sump so if thisis right i just have to make sure that the sump is not full al the way so theres spave just in case ?? am i right ??

Yeah, that is pretty much correct. You have to worry about the space anyway, because you have to be able to shut the pumps off for maintence tasks. As I said in the previous post though, make sure that the pipe or hose that your overflow has connected to it to flow the water down to the sump has some kind of guard over it to stop anything from going down and getting lodged.

[ianizaguirre]

yea like "teeth" this would be just to block snails is that what your saying ??

[CyberJester]

Actually I would take it one step further then that. Make sure you either purchase a drain pipe with a grate on the intake or make sure you put a grate on the intake if your building it.