Kalk Reactor

[kevinpo]

Hi Charlie,
Here is the kalkwasser reactor setup. The incoming line is from my RO/DI unit. The solenoid is controlled by a electronic float switch located in the refugium. This system (750 gal) evaporates about 15 gal/day an uses 1lb of calcium hydroxide a month. The output goes into the intake of my skimmer to help precipitate phosphates into the skimmate.

HTH,
Kevin

[charlie]

Thanx Kevin, the input is on the left and the output on the right, correct?

[charlie]

What is the distance from the kalk reactor to the RO/DI?

[kevinpo]

Hi Charlie,
Yes that's correct. It's about 50' feet from the RO/DI unit.

Cheers,
Kevin

[charlie]

OK, I am going to draw up a little plan that I have, and post it here. It may be a while but stay tuned if you can.

[charlie]

Kevin, I couldn't upload the diagram I drew up, so I e-mailed it to you, hope you can understand what I am trying to accomplish.

[charlie]

I figured out how to do this, sometimes I am amazed I can walk!!!!!

I hope this is readable!!!!

[Sarmo]

hey Kevin,

1- how does your kalk reactor "stir" the CaOH?

2- from what you describe, it sounds like you use the RO unit to push water through the kalk reactor with out any pumps????

3- how do you figure out how much CaOH to put in a reactor if you build a DIY reactor?

[kevinpo]

Hi Rob,
I have a magnetic stirrer controlled by a digital timer that comes on for 1 min. every 6 hours.
Yes the RO/DI unit supplies the pressure.
I add 1/4lb every week or so and run it until the reactor is about empty.

I run the same kalk system on my 450 too. Notice the small blue valve? this is a very important safety. It is closed down until the point of almost matching the evaporation rate of the tank. In the chance that the float switch should fail this keeps too much fresh water from being added. It takes weeks for the refugium to overflow. I check the refugium level when I check the kalkwasser reactor, calcium reactor, and skimmer each morning.

Regards,
Kevin

[charlie]

Ok, in my case where I don't have the RO/DI unit running all the time, I would have to use the dosing pump, right?
You must have a valve on the line at the RO unit as well, or just a "Y" that splits the flow to the unit and the kalk reactor?

[kevinpo]

Hi Charlie,
In your case you would need a valve between the dosing pump and the kalk reactor in case the dosing pump failed to shut off. I don't know how you are handling your evaporation replacement water so I can't comment on that.

Regards,
Kevin

[charlie]

This is going to be all of my top off. It sounds like I may have to do the same thing as you in that I need that valve in there almost matched to my evaporation rate, correct?

[kevinpo]

That's correct. The valve just before the reactor serves another purpose too. It prevents the sudden surge of water when the RO/DI unit first turns on. This is safer on the joints of the kalk reactor (not that I ever blew one up )

HTH,
Kevin

[charlie]

So I should put the valve closer to the reactor rather than closer to the dosing pump?

[kevinpo]

So I should put the valve closer to the reactor rather than closer to the dosing pump?

Yes typically 6-12" inches before the reactor.

Cheers,
Kevin

[charlie]

OK, that is easy enough. Do you think I should contact BRS and see if that might hurt the pump?

[kevinpo]

Hi Charlie,
What type pump is it? Impeller or dosing type that rolls over the outside of tubing? Impeller types can overheat because not enough water is flowing through them to cool them off.

Kevin

[charlie]

This one, 50ml/min.

BRS Top Off Doser (50 mL Per Minute) Bulk Reef Supply

[kevinpo]

Charlie,
That type should be fine as it requires no cooling and pumps only a small amount at once. This type pump will also prevent surges from the supply side as well as any back siphoning from the refugium.

Regards,
Kevin

[charlie]

Thanx Kevin for your help this morning, now all that has to happen is that I get the kalk reactor!!!! Any ideas on how much kalk I am gonna need for an 8x18 cylinder to start with. I can't remember the formula for that????