Octo CalReact 140 Calcium Reactor
SKU: OCT-CALR140
MSRP: $ 773.84
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Available Through Authorized Retailer
- Controllable DC Technology: Driven by a variable-speed VarioS 2 DC pump, allowing for refined control, energy-efficient operation, and nearly silent execution.
- Reverse Flow Engineering: Forces water upward from the base of the chamber to maximize CO2 contact time and prevent heavy media compaction.
- Recirculating CO2 Matrix: Built to recycle pockets of unused gas trapped at the top of the column, significantly lowering overall carbon dioxide consumption.
- Precision Effluent Valve: Outfitted with a high-fidelity, fine-tuned gate valve for microscopic adjustments to your daily tank output drip rate.
- Integrated Probe Port: Features a built-in pH probe holder to safely track internal chamber acidity without risking accidental water leaks.
- Auto-Fill Bubble Counter: Includes a clear visual bubble counter chamber to easily monitor, calculate, and audit your manual CO2 gas injection rate.
Reef Octopus
Globally trusted for premium protein skimmers and pumps, engineered in-house for unmatched reef filtration performance.
Reef Octopus CalReact 140 Controllable DC Calcium Reactor
The Reef Octopus CalReact 140 (SKU: OCT-CALR140) is an advanced, highly controllable aragonite-dissolving reactor system engineered to maintain balanced levels of calcium, alkalinity, and trace elements in demanding marine reef aquariums up to 250 gallons. As stony corals grow, their daily skeletal uptake outpaces traditional multi-part liquid dosing routines, introducing chemical volatility and climbing operating costs. The CalReact 140 replaces daily manual dosing by continuously circulating aquarium water through its 5.5-inch chamber alongside pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2). This gas safely depresses the internal pH to an acidic level, gently melting crushed ancient coral media down into its raw, bio-available mineral forms.
The premium distinction of the CalReact 140 lies in its propulsion system: the controllable VarioS 2 DC recirculation pump. Unlike traditional, rigid alternating current (AC) pumps, the variable-speed VarioS 2 pump operates at a safe 24V working voltage, utilizing a specialized pinwheel impeller, high-grade ceramic shaft, and detached controller to refine your flow dynamics seamlessly. Embodying an optimized reverse-flow fluid layout, the pump continuously pushes water up from the bottom grid. This uniform upward lift prevents heavy polymer aragonite from packing down into solid bricks or forming anaerobic dead spots. Hand-crafted from solid, optical-grade cast acrylic and finished with an easy-to-remove thumbscrew lid, this elite reactor offers unparalleled chemical stability for thriving hard coral displays.
Key Features
Variable Speed VarioS Pump: Features multiple speed settings and feed-pause control modes, seamlessly integrating with third-party controllers via a 0–10V port.
CO2 Recirculation Engineering: Traps and recirculates undissolved gas pockets within the upper neck structure, optimizing structural efficiency.
Precision Effluent Control: Upgraded gate valve plumbing enables micro-level output configuration, preventing the common "clog and stall" failures of cheap needle valves.
Probe Integration Ready: Securely houses standard monitor or controller probes directly in the primary acidic mix zone for absolute automation.
Industrial Quick-Connects: Employs standard 1/4-inch push-connect fittings for seamless integration into feed and effluent tracking lines.
System Capacity Handling
Heavy Demand (Packed SPS Reef): 120 Gallons
Medium Demand (Mixed Reef): 200 Gallons
Light Demand (Soft Coral/LPS Display): 250 Gallons
What’s Included:
(1) CalReact 140 Calcium Reactor Assembly
(1) VarioS 2 Controllable Recirculation DC Pump
(1) VarioS Detached Variable Speed Controller
(1) Integrated Auto-Fill Bubble Counter
(1) pH Probe Holder Port with Sealing Plug
(1) Precision Effluent Gate Valve Package
(1) 1/4 in Quick-Connect Push Fitting Set
Technical Specs:
Model / SKU: CalReact 140 / OCT-CALR140
Chamber Body Diameter: 5.5 in
Footprint: 12.2 in x 9.1 in
Total Height: 23 in
Media Capacity: 4 Liters (1 Gallon)
Pump Max Power: 25 Watts
Pump Operating Voltage: 24V DC
- Suggested Feed Pressure Rate: 130 – 200 GPH
VarioS 2
Wattage: 25w
Max Flow Rate: 800GPH
WARRANTY
CoralVue, Inc. and Reef Octopus hereby guarantee this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of:
- Five (5) year warranty on pump body/housing
- Three (3) year warranty on Reef Octopus-branded controller
- One (1) year warranty on Power Supply, Impeller (and components), Rotor, Rear Bushing, and Gaskets
Warranty is activated on the date of purchase.
This Standard Limited Warranty applies and is limited as follows:
- To the product only as long as it remains in the possession of the original purchaser.
- To the product that has not been subject to accident, misuse or abuse.
- To the product that has not been modified, altered, defaced, or had repairs made or attempted by other than CoralVue, Inc.
- That CoralVue be immediately notified in writing within ten (10) days of first knowledge of defect by owner or his agent.
- That CoralVue, Inc. shall be given first opportunity to make any repairs, replacements or corrections to the defective construction within a reasonable period of time.
- Under no circumstances shall CoralVue and/or the Manufacturer be liable by virtue of this warranty or otherwise for damage to any person or property whatsoever for any special, indirect, secondary or consequential damages of any nature however arising out of the use or inability to use because of the product defect.
- Loosen the upper thumb-flange screws and remove the main lid from the 5.5-inch cast acrylic cylinder.
- Rinse your preferred coarse calcium reactor aragonite media thoroughly to clean out fine dust particles, then pack it into the chamber column above the lower foam diffuser disc.
- Re-seat the top lid assembly, checking that the central silicone sealing O-ring aligns flat against the collar, and torque down the hardware evenly.
- Insert your specialized electronic pH probe into the designated holder port and tighten the compression nut to establish a watertight seal.
- Plumb your 1/4-inch incoming water feed line (from a dedicated feed pump or a localized aquarium manifold tap) and your regulated CO2 line to their respective intake ports.
- Fill the reactor tower completely with tank water, turn on your effluent supply line, select your desired recirculation speed on the VarioS 2 controller, and plug the power supply into a GFCI wall outlet.
Pro Tips:
- Coarse Media is Mandatory. Always fill your CalReact 140 with a high-quality, large-grain coarse aragonite media (such as large coral bones or premium coarse chips). Fine, sandy media will quickly break down into a thick mud inside the acidic 6.5 pH environment, clogging the reverse-plumbed bottom plate and potentially binding or damaging the VarioS impeller.
- Automate the Regulator. While you can run a calcium reactor manually by counting bubbles and drips, we strongly advocate plugging your CO2 regulator solenoid into an electronic pH controller. Program the controller to automatically cut the power to the solenoid if the internal chamber pH falls below 6.5. This failsafe prevents the aragonite from over-dissolving into mud during a system anomaly.
- Effluent Scaling Maintenance. The tiny 1/4-inch effluent output discharge line will slowly accumulate calcium carbonate deposits over time, which restricts output flow and causes erratic performance. Check your effluent drip rate weekly, and blow a small volume of warm RO/DI water or a mild white vinegar solution through the effluent line every few months to dissolve hidden mineral crusts.