Reactors for Fresh and saltwater

[04Cobra]

I'm going to be setting up two tanks, one freshwater and one marine/fish/reef. I keep reading about GFO, biopellet, and calcium reactors. Are these items necessary and are they for both fresh water and marine?

I have research these items but can find nothing specific about when they should be used. It also seems that the biopellet reactor removes the need for a GFO reactor. Maybe I should go in for something a little less complicated, like a home nuclear power plant. Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[mr_X]

They aren't absolutely necessary for all tanks. It depends on the system. I would think nitrate reducing media would work in either application, although most people don't worry too much about nitrates in a fresh water tank, and the same goes for a salt water fish only tank. It's when you get into corals that you want to pay close attention to the nitrates. It's not rocket science. It just takes a little practice.
That said, I don't run any reactors or media in my system. I simply use protein skimming (this is just a kind of filter for salt water...not complicated at all), water changes, and reasonable feeding to control my water quality.

 

[Jason M]

When u set up a tank its going to be awhile before any corals are sucking up calcium so fast u need a constant supply. My tank for the first long while had a very easy to maintain calcium reading. Now I have alot of sps and lps corals and they are still small so dosing calcium is barely needed. Unless u have a big tank and u need a constant supply of calcium to be introduced to the water it isn't needed. To much calcium can lower ur ph

On the other hand a phospate reactor is cheap and not as complicated as a calcium reactor so if u feel u want a reactor get a phosphate (probably not needed thou).

 

[04Cobra]

Thanks to both of you for the information.