Another reef update: I ordered the calcium reactor for the new tank. I chose the MTC Procal, which is a made by a guy in New Jersey. My reactor is now on his build schedule, and I should get it in a couple of weeks once he finishes making it.
A calcium reactor is a device that is used to maintain appropriately high levels of calcium and proper alkalinity in an aquarium. The basic idea is that you fill the acrylic tubes with some kind of crushed coral or aragonite substrate, then inject CO2 into the system, creating a locally low pH inside the calcium reactor. The low pH allows the substrate to gradually dissolve over time, creating output water with very high alkalinity and calcium. You slowly drip the output back into the water for the main tank, which then maintains the proper calcium and alkalinity levels in the tank without having to constantly use additives and buffers. And yes, it does kind of look like a mad scientist contraption. :-)
Thats a nice looking Reactor. How can I get in touch with the person who sells them?
Comment by Robert — October 10, 2006 @ 1:30 pm
Robert,
The website is http://www.marinetechnical.com - they have an email address but you will get a much faster response if you call the phone number they have listed.
Comment by Brad — October 10, 2006 @ 8:43 pm