kalk reactor or drip?

davidsreef · 12-31-2006, 01:50 PM

Hey,
Another kalk question. I was comtemplating using kalk water for ATO with a kalk safe dosing pump. Thing is, they are rather expensive and I was thinking of buy a kalk reactor down the road. Should I just save my money and buy a kalk reactor that is hooked into my rodi resivour? I have an ac jr with pH probe, so over dosing shouldn't be a problem either way.
Thanks for your input!

redwinger · 12-31-2006, 02:14 PM

I just dosed my kalk with a litermeter in my topoff. I mixed the kalk and water up in a resevoir and just let it dose over a weeks time. I am not a big fan of kalk reactors.

mtfatwork · 12-31-2006, 03:51 PM

I did the drip thing, and I just hooked up my kalkreactor today, so in a few weeks I can give you my opinion

Loverotties · 12-31-2006, 04:24 PM

Mines with my top-off.

David Grigor · 12-31-2006, 11:45 PM

What you will likely find if you track the PH level of your Kalk reactor is that despite having plenty of powder on the bottom after a few days of adding new Kalk is that it isn't fully saturated as one might think. To me, it's a waste of money. Use the money for a dosing pump and just use a bucket that you mix the Kalk and dispense. Can easily make it two weeks or more of fully saturated as long as you don't stir it between fills.

Attempting to drip is a real pain and it going to be too tedious. Get the dosing pump.

davidsreef · 01-01-2007, 12:27 PM

Thanks everyone for your input!

csb123 · 01-01-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Grigor

What you will likely find if you track the PH level of your Kalk reactor is that despite having plenty of powder on the bottom after a few days of adding new Kalk is that it isn't fully saturated as one might think. To me, it's a waste of money. Use the money for a dosing pump and just use a bucket that you mix the Kalk and dispense. Can easily make it two weeks or more of fully saturated as long as you don't stir it between fills.

Attempting to drip is a real pain and it going to be too tedious. Get the dosing pump.

What happens if you stir it between fills?

Also, does anyone use Anthony Calfo's kalk slurry method?

David Grigor · 01-01-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csb123

What happens if you stir it between fills?

There is no benefit at all to stirring once initially mixed. By stirring the Kalk reacts with the CO2 in the atmosphere reducing it's potency. If you mix once and allow the film to form on top, it protects the Kalk from the CO2.

oyam123 · 01-01-2007, 02:38 PM

what if i use this thing?

mtfatwork · 01-01-2007, 02:48 PM

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JJGeisler · 01-01-2007, 06:30 PM

I think a Kalk Reactor without a dosing pump isn't going to help you much. You would be automating the kalk mixing but would still need to drip to administer the kalk. If the budget will only take one item at a time a dosing pump is a time saver for tank maintanence. If you can (space and equipment allowing) start with an RO/DI resevour tank hooked up to the dosing pump to handle water level topoff. When the budget allows, add a kalk reactor between the resevour and the dosing pump. Works for me....
JJ

JJGeisler · 01-01-2007, 06:32 PM

.....is this for a nano reef or full size?

davidsreef · 01-02-2007, 01:02 PM

Well, more nano than anything... right now. I highly intend to stay in this hobby for years to come, and wish to upgrade when I move/have money.

davidsreef · 01-02-2007, 01:04 PM

I am thinking of the RO/DI with kalk, and then drip with a good dosing pump. Thanks again for the input everyone!