Calcium reactors. Do I need one in my reef tank?

I bought your book a couple months ago. It has been very helpful. I started a 12 gal. Just moved to a 40 gal 2 days ago. After all the reading I've been doing was looking into building a calcium reactor. I don't see anything in the book about this. Why don't you use one? Is there something wrong them? Seems much better to have one ?

Calcium reactors are not *really* needed unless of course you have an exceedingly high calcium demand or do not wish to use Conventional methods of adding calcium e.g. kalkwasswer drip liquid calcium

Having a very high calcium demand usually means you are keeping the more difficult animals eg clams and stony/hard corals with high light requirements. Due to the fact that my book is for beginners, I did not want to add the complexity of a calcium reactor.

So it depends on what type of tank you keep. Your calcium levels should be around 350 - 400 and usually this is easily maintained using the conventional methods.

On the other hand calcium reactors are an additional piece of equipment to maintain and have their own issues. So if your tank (calcium levels) doesnt require it, why spend the extra money?

Robert