Kalk topoff idea?

[redwinger]

Here is what I am thinking of doing and would like some feedback. This is for a auto topoff. Put a rubbermaid container next to the sump as large as possible to hold ro water mixed with kalk. There will be a powerhead in the top off container to mix the kalk and ro every 6 hours. Then use a litermeter for dosing to the sump for the topoff water and have it backed up with a double float switch from autotoppoff.com. This should be about as close to fail safe as you can get I would think. You guys are the experts so what do you think?

[David Grigor]

I did kalk for years very similiar. Mine was a 320g tank with a 35g top off container with Kalk. This lasted me about 10-14 days.

A containter big enough for 10-14days should be about as big of a container you need. You don't want to go much beyond that with Kalk.

Did you know that there is $39 add on top off switch specifically made for the litermeterIII. It has no moving parts uses vacum. I think this is a better option then the autotopoff.com one. That is what I used for my fail safe in case dosing pump was set too high and gradually rose over the coarse of time then it wouldn't go any higher than the max. Plus failsafe if for some reason stuck on which is pretty remote chance. Mostly nice not to have to worry so much about getting the daily Liters exact.


You can skip the pump to mix it......When container is getting low, just put a cup or so of Kalk in, fill the bucket and just stir it once. Best to have a lid but not an air tight lid. No need to mix it up more. You would only need to keep mixing it you were adding FW to the bucket continously similiar to a Kalk reactor.

Here is the link describing in more detail and the reasons behind it, just in case you haven't read this one yet....

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-0...ture/index.htm


I also did it even simplier with pretty good results but skipping the litermeterIII and just elevating the 35g container and using just a Kent float valve and gravity. Works well, just need to clean the valve every month or so. Plus to this is it takes care of your exact top off needs which do change with the indoor/outdoor conditions. Downside is that if you sump was too low then it could add too much at once, however the amount is pretty slow but potentially could drain the entire container if there was a leak in the sump,show tank or fitting. Solution is not quite as good as the litermeterIII but saves the cost of the litermeterIII. However, I will admit the litermeter was money well spent........

[the_colonel]

I am quite interested in this, as I am bouncing around some ideas for auto top-off also. A quick search for Litermeters show the LitermeterIII going for about $300-$400, is there a cheaper source for these?

[redwinger]

Thanks david, I was hoping that you would see this and advise as your advice is allways very much appreciated. I think I will stick with the litermeter and check into the switch that you suggested. I want to stay away from the kent float valve. The upfront expense is better for me than dealing with a overdose or a flood. One time of either would have justified the cost of the litermeter alone plus I can just hear the wife if a flood happened.

[redwinger]

I am looking on ebay for them they are used but much cheaper.

[redwinger]

Also I can't seem to find that switch that you speak of David where could I find one?

[the_colonel]

I couldn't find any Litermeters on Ebay.

For the topoff module:
http://www.automatedaquariums.com/sp_lm.htm
Goto the Accessories Section
Also:
http://www.spectrapure.com/St_prec_p0.htm

[redwinger]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

My user ID is scp8230 so don't bid against me!

[David Grigor]

Top off module is Part # LM3-TCM. I ordered it straight from spectrapure.com. Perhaps some of the bigger Mail order places also carry it.....

http://www.spectrapure.com/St_prec_p0.htm

Oceanencounter.com had the best price on a litermeterIII the last time I checked......

Litermeter option is better if you can justify. Kent float valve is very safe too. Providing your sump is not also a refugium etc. where something could get pinched between the side and the float valve then it is very reliable and cheap. I have used them since 1996 and never had a problem for it not stopping water. Of course, it doesn nothing for you if your sump/plumbing/tank is leaking as it will dump as much water in as you have in your bucket.

[the_colonel]

Originally Posted by redwinger

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

My user ID is scp8230 so don't bid against me!

Don't worry, I'm not ready to buy yet. I have to do some more research.

[David Grigor]

Originally Posted by redwinger

My user ID is scp8230 so don't bid against me!

So how can we bid against you when you haven't even bid ? IMO: If you can get one for about $150 used I would be anymore than that I would just buy it new..... If did get used I would buy the new tubing for it from the get go since you don't really know how much use it got.....

[redwinger]

I bid at last minute to prevent a bidding war raising the price up early on.

[spazz]

i top off my tank im much the same way. except i dont use an expensive letermeter. i have a 33g rubermade garbage (i think $20) can in the basement i mix ro water and kalk (mrs. wages pickeling lime) in. i have a little giant pump i got used ($50) and a top off switch (marine dopot $59) and i just check the ph level to make sure its above 9.0 . the system was cheep to build and works great. all this is less than the price of a litermeter.

[David Grigor]

Spazz, True you can save money this way and certainly works and I have done it this way on smaller systems for years. However it takes very good planning and have redundancy built into it (and I don't just mean using multiple switches ). Top off switches are notorious for failing in the on position. If failure because of voltage or amp spike regardless how many switches it could fry all of them. When using top off switches, really need to combine top off methods to make sure you don't overdose Kalk. For example, us a float valve so if the swith sticks and pumps stays on the valve would cause enough head pressure to stop the pump ( worst case scenario you burn up the pump and not fry your livestock ), or have an additional timer between the pump and swith so it will only run for a couple of minutes several times a day if the switch fails in the on position, and/or use small diameter tubing so it can't add Kalk too quickly.

Float switches and pumps can last years and years without a failure but it only takes one to be fatal. I know of at least 2 members in recent years to learn the hard way. Scott Jensen lost everything when float switch failed in the on position. Bill Bramucci didn't loose any livestock because he had such a huge water volume but it did cause his sump to overflow and ruin a $300 pump.

Using Dosing pump in addition to a top off switch is one of the safest methods and depending on your overall investment is peanuts in comparison to the potential loss.....Also a good choice when placing your top off remotely from the sump as the litermeter can pump from long distance and only need to feed a 1/4" tubing and no worries of back siphoning. Dosing pump methods IMO does have advantages if money is not a concern. After having one you would probably find it is money well spent....

[spazz]

David Grigor
Float switches and pumps can last years and years without a failure but it only takes one to be fatal. I know of at least 2 members in recent years to learn the hard way.

point well taken. i think i will see about changing mine in the near future.