Kalk reactor question

Demogarr · 03-13-2003, 02:52 PM

Well, due to problems the new tank I am getting has been delayed two weeks, but it should be here tommorrow, I already have the plumbing for a closed loop system and a really nice 36" stand and a great hood. Anyway, I am looking to build a DIY kalk reactor a-la bill-e style. I already have a kent float valve in my sump however, and have spent much money getting this far. I want to know if I can just run the kalk reactor inline from my fresh topoff water and then have the reactor connected to the float switch for topoff. I think some of you out there have tried this, so I am wondering what everyones experience or opinions are.
Thanks!!

Alan

Geoff · 03-13-2003, 03:09 PM

this is how i have mine plumbed. i have a water purifier (not RO, but still seems to work great) plumbed into my house plumbing. right before the purifier i have a pressure regulator ( i wish i could find an all plastic pressure regulator so i could put it after the purifier). the kalk reactor is plumbed after the purifier. the kalk reactor is then controlled by a Kent float valve to controll water level. i seems to work great. it was tough finding a small inline pump. the eheim is probably the best but expensive. i went with a via aqua 1300. i have the pressure regulator set to 8 psi. anymore than that and the seals leak.

if i could put the pressure regulator after the purifier i could get a true RO/DI for water top off.

i hope to also update this part of my website real soon also.

HTH,

G~

Demogarr · 03-13-2003, 07:55 PM

I hope it works for me, I won't have a pump or any positive pressure at all behind the reactor. I just have a resevoir of water above the water line of the sump feeding into the float valve, and I am hoping the gravity pressure will be enough to push water thru the kalk reactor if I place it inline between the resevoir and the float valve, I will just have to position the resevoir high enough I suppose, but this is still in the planning.

Geoff · 03-13-2003, 09:27 PM

as long as the reservoir is above the float valve then you should be fine.

G~

Demogarr · 03-13-2003, 10:01 PM

Cool, I was hoping that was the case, I wasn't sure about the siphon or gravity thing but was pretty sure if the resevoir was above the valve water would want to flow to it even through the reactor. How often do you have to clean out the water lines, float valve, reactor and pump etc...?

David Grigor · 03-14-2003, 07:20 PM

I have had problems using just gravity with Kalk and float valves. Tend to need more attention to keep them consistant. IME: If you want a more maintenance free it needs to more pressure than just gravity.

After trying some of the cheaper methods I ended up just biting the bullet and get a litermeter dosing pump.

Demogarr · 03-14-2003, 08:25 PM

Well, I don't know which route I will be going, but eventually I am sure I will get a dosing pump or something similar, but I change my mind so many times who knows what I will end up doing!

Thanks for the advice though, now I got something to work with...

bill-e · 03-16-2003, 08:42 AM

mine's been running for over 3 years now with no maintenance to the pump or line to the tank. I use the Reef-Filler and 3/8" tubing which runs about 60' to my tank.

I have to believe that using airline tubing and a float valve will be problematic. without a pump. and maybe even with it from the cloging point of view.