Kalk Reactor Plumbing question

[grif]

Okay, I've read the directions at http://www.multimania.com/babar/visio/ on how to build that kalk reactor. My only question is in the plumbing of the water topoff to the reactor and the reactor to the sump. Does the reactor basically just 'splice' into the water line going from the topoff to the sump? If so, the diagrams seem to have the hoses in places and at heights that seem off. Can anyone help here. Attached is a picture of how I *think* the directions are telling me to do it. Anybody want to straighten me out here?

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[grif]

No I don't know how the blue coloration got there, it's not supposed to be there. Also, the numbers next to the tubing names are so we can refer to them if needed.

[Mimbler1]

Yes, it should just "splice" into the water line coming from your top-off source to the sump. It looks like you are using a Nurce type top-off? That complicates it just a little, but your diagram looks correct. What is it that seemed odd about the diagrams in case I'm missing something?

BTW, I have better results having the output tube low in the kalkreactor, and the fill at the top. Otherwise you wind up dispensing less than full strength kw, because the RO water rises to the top due to lower density, unless you mix constantly (and you don't want to do that!)
Regards, Mike

[Fredfish]

mimbler1:
Why don't you want constant recurculation? My reactor uses a power head for circulation and it is constantly on.

This was based on advice from members of my local club that had long term experience with reactors. They told me that the calcium build-up rate in the pump is much slower if it is on constantly.

With the powerhead constantly on, I am dosing slightly cloudy kalkwasser.

Griff:
I just plumbed my reactor into the water supply line for my in-sump topoff valve and use an IV drip line to control the flow. Works great for me.

Fred

[Mimbler1]

Fred, the constant recirc may work ok for you, but with the large amount of kalk powder (3/4 cup) in my reactor, if it stirred constantly, I would dose a -very- milky mixture and overdose my tank. It probably works for you because of the small amount of powder in your reactor, and shouldn't cause you any problem. Just something to watch for as your calcium demands grow and you start adding more kalk to your reactor at a time!
Regards, Mike

[Fredfish]

Hmmm. Good point Mike. Its probably not going to be a problem for a 65g tank, but I will keep it in mind for the future.

Fred.

[grif]

1) Does the height of the reactor matter, or do only the heights of the nurce and the sump matter.

2) where does the one-way valve go in this operation to keep kalkwasser from entering the nurce, fill line #3?