At last, I made my decision to purchase from the local DIYer instead of getting the Calcium Carbonate Reactor from either a H&S or Aqua Medic.
The most obvious choice is from Joe P - Reef Manics from the DIY market as I want a CR to address the three main areas:
1. Constant Drip Rate
Although the various designs of reactor may be better or worse for this, it is generally true that it very difficult to achieve a constant drip rate using a normal pump. Eventually they slow down and you end up constantly have to adjust them. There are three potential solutions.
The first one, which I have not used, is to take a line off the main return pump and control the flow using a micro gate valve. The high pressure produced by the main pump makes it less susceptible to changes and the gate valve allows precise control.
The second way, is via a dosing pump or rather a peristaltic pump like the Aqua Medic SP3000. Dosing pumps are nice because they are small, do not require any clever plumbing, produce a high pressure and do not need to be primed. All you have to do is have a strict regiment of cleaning that special tube regularly otherwise it will harden up and "crack".
The third one, which I am using is to taking a line off the Eheim Compact feed pump to the UV Sterilizer and control the flow using a micro gate valve. This is similar to the first solution but on a scale-down approach.
2. Constant Bubble Rate
The next problem I am worry of is getting a reliable bubble rate from a regulator. This is one area where I bought a two stage unit with a needle valve and never looked back at the other inexpensive ones which is fine for planted tank keeping. For your information, I bought a Bioplast unit.
3. Low pH
Because CO2 is used to lower the pH in order to dissolve the reactor media, the chances are excess CO2 comes out of the reactor. With sufficient water surface agitation and fresh air coming into the room, then you may be able to get away with it. However this proved impossible for me.
Therefore, what I have found works really well would be a CR who has the feature to solve the excess CO2 to re-circulates back to the main chamber.
CO2 Tank & Media
I am using CaribSea ARM which is even more soluble unlike the "proper" (more pure) media like Koralith but its price is so much more expensive that I have not bothered the cost of 3 big bottles of the CaribSea ARM as it also contains trace elements like Calcium, Magnesium, Carbonate, Strontium, Potassium.
Using a cylinder of 3.5L of CO2 to feed the Calcium Reactor via the BioPlast Regulator for fine adjustment which I hope can last at least 9 months.
Conclusions:
Finally, many reefers are aware that I don't believe in local DIYed product but it seems that I have no choice but to eat my own words now as this product is of good quality standard and must say that it is on par with those imported ones.
In short, it is indeed a good piece of equipment from Reef Maniacs worth investing.
In my opinion, it is on par with other similar imported products and in terms of service, I am very satisfied with the pre-sales service provided by Joe and are confident that he will render the same level of post-sale service as well.
I have found the reactor to work very well and the MaxiJet pump is quiet, but it has a minor problem. It is not easy to carry as the total weight is more than 10kg for a lightweight person like yours truly.
But, this only has to be done once when the media is depleted or when the time for replacement is due anywhere from 9 months down the road depending on the type of corals in the tank.
Overall, the use of a calcium reactor has moved me another step closer toward the ultimate goal of becoming the lazy aquarist who spends time enjoying the tank, rather than working on the maintenance chores.
