DIY kalk reactor idea.

[msuzuki126]

Is this how a kalk reactor is run? I am kind of confused. The pump in the freshwater without kalk would be run on a float switch from the sump correct? Is this how it should be set up?

thanks alot.

[msuzuki126]

is this how they work?

[dattack]

Yes. Looks right.

[dobly_1999]

This auto top-off to place in my sump;





Check out this site for the plans.

[msuzuki126]

bump.

[Gem Tang Rider]

Here's my mini.

[dobly_1999]

[jeffgp]

mine will be some thing like that . but mine will be 8 in around and 24in tall with a larger pump and a digital timer to turn on 10 min every hour

[Gem Tang Rider]

Originally posted by jeffgp
mine will be some thing like that . but mine will be 8 in around and 24in tall with a larger pump and a digital timer to turn on 10 min every hour

I don't know what size tank you have. But I have a reactor 6"x 30" that keeps a 210gal tank with 75gal sump/fuge happy. It's on a timer for 2 min every 3 hrs. All I use for mixing is a maxijet 600. Sorry, never took any pics of it. It does look a lot like my mini but does not use a PVC base. It uses an acrylic base.

[dobly_1999]

Where did you get the unions for the pump on the tube?

Originally posted by prugs
Here's my mini.

[jeffgp]

Originally posted by prugs
I don't know what size tank you have. But I have a reactor 6"x 30" that keeps a 210gal tank with 75gal sump/fuge happy. It's on a timer for 2 min every 3 hrs. All I use for mixing is a maxijet 600. Sorry, never took any pics of it. It does look a lot like my mini but does not use a PVC base. It uses an acrylic base.

i wanted a larger one beacuse in sick and tired of mixing kalk every 4 days buy the gallon
im dosing about 700 mg every night . and turning off the protin skimmer for a few hours after the dosing

[Gem Tang Rider]

Originally posted by dobly_1999
Where did you get the unions for the pump on the tube?

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1
Follow the link, it's in there.

[GROSSR]

I use PVC and turn it on 1 minute every 2 hours. From what I have read, you need to prevent the cloud from reaching the top of the unit. That clear liquid is what you want to go into your tank/sump.

I think 10 minutes is too long.

rich

[Gem Tang Rider]

Originally posted by prugs
Here's my mini.

The cloud in the mini never extends above the top union going into the reactor. It just looks like that after filling the unit. Within an hour the top is clear.

[JustOneMoreTank]

Do you all really think that the pump is vital to the performance of the kalk reactor? What about not using a pump or a magnetic stir bar?
Hmmmm.....

[mhummel]

Originally posted by JustOneMoreTank
Do you all really think that the pump is vital to the performance of the kalk reactor? What about not using a pump or a magnetic stir bar?
Hmmmm.....

You need a pump or stir bar to keep the kalk solution saturated or the kalk powder will just become a hard clup at the bottom of the reactor and you will no longer be dosing kalk solution to your tank.
Nice to see a few diy kalk reactors as I am planing to build one. Tired of mixing and filling the doser, mixing filling the doser..........

[Gem Tang Rider]

I have made reactors similar to the Tunze kalk reactor. You just use the feed pump from the RO top off resevoir to swirl the water at the bottom of the kalk chamber.

[JustOneMoreTank]

Originally posted by prugs
I have made reactors similar to the Tunze kalk reactor. You just use the feed pump from the RO top off resevoir to swirl the water at the bottom of the kalk chamber.

I think that prugs is on to something.
Think of the kalk reactor as kinda like the last stage of your RODI filter. The DI resin just swapped out for the kalk powder. Just keep the container vertical add the fresh water in from the bottom and allow it to trickle thru the kalk powder. The water that rises to the top of the container will have traveled thru the kalk powder and will be fully saturated, but clear. This is the water that you will add to the tank/sump.
You dont need a pump to stir the powder.
Want to see some pictures?

[aries70]

Actually I would like to see some pics of what your refering too

[Gem Tang Rider]

Note the small 90 degree angle at the end of the RO input line.

[SuperNerd]

Thanks for posting that first diagram, msuzuki126. I was confused on this as well!

[JustOneMoreTank]

Prugs picture/diy project is the type that I am refering to. I made one 6 months ago. A group of us in a local reef club (Atlanta Southeast Marine and Fish Society) had a meeting and put one together. For the container we used a RODI stage or container. It already has and input and an exit for the water line. The water coming in is directed to the bottom of the canister with a piece of small thin PVC or RODI line (whichever as either will work). Then the fresh incoming water percolates and mixes thru the kalk powder sitting on the bottom. Only water that is clear and fully saturated with the kalk will make it to the top of the RODI container and to the exit.
It depends on how much kalk powder you put into the container for how long the reactor will last before you need to add more kalk. The larger the container the more kalk you can add and the less you have to mess with it.
I have some pictures on my home PC. After work I could post them if anyone still wants to see how I made one.

[Ironman]

JustOneMoreTank, please post your pics. I'm very interested in building one.

Cheers

[shelburn61]

kalk doesnt need to be stirred to remain saturated in an airtight container. I just run RO topoff through a single RO filter cannister half-filled with kalk. new water entering the bottom of the cannister pushes the saturated kalkwasser out the top. I give the cannister a shake every few days to keep the kalk from clumping. $10

[RichConley]

You guys are awesome. I never thought to use a RO/DI 10" canister.