Anyone Use A Kalk Reactor

mrok12 · 08-05-2002, 12:05 AM

I just completed my Kalk reactor and am hooking it up tommorow after the glue cures tonight. I am going to run it on a 120 along with my CA reactor. My alk is 12 and CA is 350 consistantly but I think this will help increase the CA stability and THE PH at night.

MROK12

**scubadude** · 08-05-2002, 10:28 AM

Im thinking about using a kalk stirrer...im pretty sure its the same concept though. Would love to see how yours turned out MROK

wastedincome420 · 08-05-2002, 05:10 PM

Mrok: I would love to see some pics of the Kalk reactor if you have any. Also, was it a DIY project?? I would like to hear some more info about it if you can.

Scuba: Do you know where to find the parts for a Kalk stirrer??

**golfish** · 08-05-2002, 10:50 PM

I've been using one for about 8 months now and love it. Mine is mixed using a MJ1200. I have seen both and I actually have a mag stirrer in the garage. I truely think the pump stired units work better then the mag stired. Either or their a great addition to a reef.

Mark

PerryinCA · 08-05-2002, 11:38 PM

I think they are both great systems to use (not at the same time obviously). Kalk can benefit a tank in a number of ways...not just buffering and Ca. Also can precipitate PO4 out of the water coumn, Good stuff!

Good idea MROK.

-Perry

mrok12 · 08-06-2002, 01:03 AM

Michael Palleta uses a CA reactor and A kalk reactor on his SPS reef

MROK12

**golfish** · 08-06-2002, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrok12
Michael Palleta uses a CA reactor and A kalk reactor on his SPS reef

MROK12

Lots of people use both, myself included. Their so easy and cheap to setup that I can't see why more people don't use em. You should use a dosing pump tho.

VIC · 08-06-2002, 05:02 PM

Guys,
Can you give me the specs on how to build one. I add over a gallon of kauk to my 250 every day with the drip method. Works great but it is a pain. I would love to build a kauk reactor to replace my top off water.
Any assistance would help.
Thanks,
Vic

mrok12 · 08-06-2002, 08:06 PM

Here is a pic of mine. I use a PH controller so the PH is accurate. Thhis is how most people knopw when it is time to recharge it. The PH falls off.

mrok12 · 08-06-2002, 08:06 PM

It was simple to build.

MROK12

***Reefland*** · 08-06-2002, 11:36 PM

Did the dog help you put it together?

Care to share the actual steps and specs of it or point us to a link with the details? I am planning my new tank and maintaining CA and ALK is one thing that I have yet to pass through my brain but since this thread is active, I might as well start now.

Thanks,
Scott Z.

PerryinCA · 08-06-2002, 11:47 PM

uh oh! I think you guys misunderstood me.

I meant the magnetic stirrer type, and the PH type....obviously not much reason to use them both.

CaCo3 reactor, and kalk stirrer = GREAT!

-Perry

mrok12 · 08-07-2002, 12:24 AM

I will post the link in the morning. That is My BABY CAT LONDON and she did assist with the plaaning and construction.

MROK21

***Reefland*** · 08-07-2002, 12:37 AM

Thought it was a dog! Sorry bout that.

Scott Z.

mrok12 · 08-07-2002, 09:07 AM

That is ok she believes she is a human anyway.

MROK12

mrok12 · 08-07-2002, 09:16 AM

Here is a links for plans to build the reactor. http://www.mv.com/users/besposito/nilsen.html

His plans and explanation were very easy to follow. I used the plain white PVC because paople have said that the most reliable way to know when to recharge it is to watch the PH in the main tank with a digital meter. He explains that as well. Read all the updates to. I will let you guys know how mine works. I have it all ready to go for today. HAd to do some last minute leak proofing on monday.

MROK12

**golfish** · 08-07-2002, 05:15 PM

Its too bad you didn't add a section or clear PVC. It really helps to SEE the level of kalk and also see it mixing.

mrok12 · 08-07-2002, 05:55 PM

I am not really worried about seeing it. I filled the reactor up with H20 and can see the mixing with it open. It works fine. Clear PVC is 20.00 a foot here. I am happy with this.

MROK12

**golfish** · 08-07-2002, 09:03 PM

The only reason I suggested the clear is because I have a reactor very close to the one you built. Every time I clean and refill it I have to disconnect the powerhead fittings so the lines get stuffed with water, otherwise the pump will cavitate (sp?) it sounds like it pumping but its not. Also, in the past few months my powder has been turning blue\grey, when it does this its stops saturating, sometimes, then other times it doesn't........

Its just nice to see inside so you know when its getting close to the time to change it... I can fully understand not using clear at 20.00 a foot.

BTW, I wanted to ask you if its ok to post the picuters of your closed loop to other threads. I truly think its a great idea.

Mark

mrok12 · 08-08-2002, 09:09 AM

Sure you can post pics of the looop. I ordered a check valve from custom aquatics for this reactor. It had one flaw it back s iphones the reactor water intop the holding tank. It is likely due to the holding tank being lowe than the height of the reactor buit the valve will fix that.

MROK12

08-05-2002, 12:05 AM	#1
mrok12 Mayor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Van Buren, MI Posts: 1,052	Anyone Use A Kalk Reactor I just completed my Kalk reactor and am hooking it up tommorow after the glue cures tonight. I am going to run it on a 120 along with my CA reactor. My alk is 12 and CA is 350 consistantly but I think this will help increase the CA stability and THE PH at night. MROK12

08-05-2002, 11:38 PM	#5
PerryinCA Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 2,103	PH vs Magnetic stirrer I think they are both great systems to use (not at the same time obviously). Kalk can benefit a tank in a number of ways...not just buffering and Ca. Also can precipitate PO4 out of the water coumn, Good stuff! Good idea MROK. -Perry

08-06-2002, 11:36 PM	#11
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,176	Hi mrok12! Did the dog help you put it together? Care to share the actual steps and specs of it or point us to a link with the details? I am planning my new tank and maintaining CA and ALK is one thing that I have yet to pass through my brain but since this thread is active, I might as well start now. Thanks, Scott Z. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

08-07-2002, 12:37 AM	#14
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,176	Thought it was a dog! Sorry bout that. Scott Z. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

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08-05-2002, 10:28 AM	#2
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,318	Im thinking about using a kalk stirrer...im pretty sure its the same concept though. Would love to see how yours turned out MROK

08-05-2002, 05:10 PM	#3
wastedincome420 Council Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NH Posts: 270	Mrok: I would love to see some pics of the Kalk reactor if you have any. Also, was it a DIY project?? I would like to hear some more info about it if you can. Scuba: Do you know where to find the parts for a Kalk stirrer??

08-05-2002, 10:50 PM	#4
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	I've been using one for about 8 months now and love it. Mine is mixed using a MJ1200. I have seen both and I actually have a mag stirrer in the garage. I truely think the pump stired units work better then the mag stired. Either or their a great addition to a reef. Mark

08-06-2002, 01:03 AM	#6
mrok12 Mayor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Van Buren, MI Posts: 1,052	Michael Palleta uses a CA reactor and A kalk reactor on his SPS reef MROK12

08-06-2002, 05:02 PM	#8
VIC Citizen Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Elmwood Park, N.J. U.S.A Posts: 134	Guys, Can you give me the specs on how to build one. I add over a gallon of kauk to my 250 every day with the drip method. Works great but it is a pain. I would love to build a kauk reactor to replace my top off water. Any assistance would help. Thanks, Vic

08-06-2002, 08:06 PM	#9
mrok12 Mayor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Van Buren, MI Posts: 1,052	Here is a pic of mine. I use a PH controller so the PH is accurate. Thhis is how most people knopw when it is time to recharge it. The PH falls off.

08-06-2002, 11:47 PM	#12
PerryinCA Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 2,103	uh oh! I think you guys misunderstood me. I meant the magnetic stirrer type, and the PH type....obviously not much reason to use them both. CaCo3 reactor, and kalk stirrer = GREAT! -Perry

08-07-2002, 12:24 AM	#13
mrok12 Mayor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Van Buren, MI Posts: 1,052	I will post the link in the morning. That is My BABY CAT LONDON and she did assist with the plaaning and construction. MROK21

08-07-2002, 09:07 AM	#15
mrok12 Mayor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Van Buren, MI Posts: 1,052	That is ok she believes she is a human anyway. MROK12

08-07-2002, 09:16 AM	#16
mrok12 Mayor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Van Buren, MI Posts: 1,052	Here is a links for plans to build the reactor. http://www.mv.com/users/besposito/nilsen.html His plans and explanation were very easy to follow. I used the plain white PVC because paople have said that the most reliable way to know when to recharge it is to watch the PH in the main tank with a digital meter. He explains that as well. Read all the updates to. I will let you guys know how mine works. I have it all ready to go for today. HAd to do some last minute leak proofing on monday. MROK12

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08-07-2002, 05:15 PM	#17
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	Its too bad you didn't add a section or clear PVC. It really helps to SEE the level of kalk and also see it mixing.

08-07-2002, 05:55 PM	#18
mrok12 Mayor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Van Buren, MI Posts: 1,052	I am not really worried about seeing it. I filled the reactor up with H20 and can see the mixing with it open. It works fine. Clear PVC is 20.00 a foot here. I am happy with this. MROK12

08-07-2002, 09:03 PM	#19
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	The only reason I suggested the clear is because I have a reactor very close to the one you built. Every time I clean and refill it I have to disconnect the powerhead fittings so the lines get stuffed with water, otherwise the pump will cavitate (sp?) it sounds like it pumping but its not. Also, in the past few months my powder has been turning blue\grey, when it does this its stops saturating, sometimes, then other times it doesn't........ Its just nice to see inside so you know when its getting close to the time to change it... I can fully understand not using clear at 20.00 a foot. BTW, I wanted to ask you if its ok to post the picuters of your closed loop to other threads. I truly think its a great idea. Mark

08-08-2002, 09:09 AM	#20
mrok12 Mayor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Van Buren, MI Posts: 1,052	Sure you can post pics of the looop. I ordered a check valve from custom aquatics for this reactor. It had one flaw it back s iphones the reactor water intop the holding tank. It is likely due to the holding tank being lowe than the height of the reactor buit the valve will fix that. MROK12