Calcium Reactor vs Kalkwasser Reactor

[Johnny_Blaze]

Hi

I got a little mix up between these 2..need some help from experts here.

Do they serve the same purpose?

Do fellow reefers use either one of them OR both at the same time?

Damn noobie liao

Thanks in advance

[Gouldian]

Hi

I got a little mix up between these 2..need some help from experts here.

Do they serve the same purpose?

Do fellow reefers use either one of them OR both at the same time?

Damn noobie liao

Thanks in advance

Hi Johnny_Blaze,

Below in my opinion, are the differences:

KR

Media - Kalkwasser (Calcium hydroxide)

How it works - Using pump or stirrer to suspense the kalk mix (kalk + fresh water) inside the reactor. Fresh water from reservior is pump into the reactor and exit into sump. Usually used in conjunction with a fresh water top up system.

Cost of ownership: <$500

Ease of usage: Easy

Remarks: Recommended for fish only, soft corals and mixed reef with low calcium demand

CR

Media - Calcium carbonate, Aragonite, proprietory recipe etc

Mechanics - Media is placed in the reactor with tank water being pump into the reactor. Reactor comes with a re-circulation pump that provides circulation within the reactor. Carbon dioxide is injected into the reactor to lower the pH thereby melting the media in the reactor. Calcium rich water exit reactor into tank.

Cost of ownership: >$800

Ease of usage: Intermediate

Remarks: The preferred method for tanks with high calcium demand such as SPS dominated tanks.

HTH

[Achilles Tang]

IMO, they both work well together as CR usually results in lowered PH in the water and a KR helps by raising PH.

[Johnny_Blaze]

Thanks for the reply guys

Appreciate it