need help with diy kalk reactor

[deahtop]

i want to make an auto top off sytem with a kalk reactor for my 210g reef tank with a 45 gallon sump/refugium. ive never driped kalk or have had a CA reactor so this will be my first time.

i want to know if running it from my garage's Ro/Di system, to a DIY kalk reactor im planning to build, with no pumps, work to keep my tank topped off? will the pressure from just the Ro/DI system keep everything flowing? any pros and cons about this? i wanted to hook this up to it http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=439

or should i go with a water resevoir, pump and a float switch hooked up to my kalk reactor


ive tried researching but im still a bit unclear as to how much kalk i should mix into the kalk reactor. and how to maintain it. any tips would be greatly appreciated, thank you

[deahtop]

/bump

[Sk8r]

I have a commercial one, a BAS, and an autotopoff.com float switch in my sump controlling a maxijet 1200 in the bottom of a ro/di reservoir [32 gallon Brute trashcan]. The 1/2" maxijet hose feeds to a locline with check valve [connection: small locline nipple secured by hose clamp inside the 1/2" maxijet out-line]---
The locline goes into the reactor top. Another locline comes out the top, gravity-feeds kalkwasser to the sump. The gravity feed only works when an excess of water pushed into the reactor pushes water down the gravity line, in response to evaporation detected by the float switch in the sump.

I use a Hanna Instruments magnetic stirrer under the reactor.


My reactor contains about 2-3 gallons of water. I put 1/2 pound of Mrs. Wages' into it to start; and I add about 4 heaping tablespoons a week.

Ultimately, about once a month, let it 'run down,' ie, mostly run out of kalk slurry at the bottom of the column, empty it of water and take it to the back yard and hose it out, just to make sure you don't accumlate a sludge of impurities at the bottom. There are some kalks that are purer, but this is cheap at 5.00 a pound.

The check valve is very important, or you end up with a 32 gallon tub full of badly mixed kalkwasser that will wear out your delivery pump.

You cannot overdose: kalk dissolves in pure ro/di at a known rate, and this filmy, milk-in-water colored solution is safe for your corals. This is why your 'out' line is situated at the top of your reactor, where the filmy water is. HOWEVER: there will be a much thicker slurry at the bottom, milk white in color: this should not feed straight into your tank.

[Harold Edwards]

I would not run it with the Flow Valve because your kalk reactor would be under constant pressure. and might blow up

if you want to run it straight from your ro/di you would need a solenoid in between the ro/di and your kalk reactor, and control it with a float switch.

[deahtop]

thanks for the replies guys, the more I think about it, the better off I'd probably be going with a resevoir

[Harold Edwards]

I thank the best way is to mix kalk in a reservoir, let it settle and add to tank with your auto top off.
reactors seam to add impurity to the tank, also it is hard to tell how much kalk to add to the reactor and to keep it consistent.

[erics3000]

I am also setting up a 300 display and was going to have 2 rubbermaids in the garage one for ro storage and the other for salt mixing. I am also a newbie to kalk and calcium reactors. I also bought a autotopoff.com dual float for my 75 sump. I have been trying to figure some diy for my kalk.

sk8r Do you have any pics?

[deahtop]

Originally posted by Harold Edwards
I would not run it with the Flow Valve because your kalk reactor would be under constant pressure. and might blow up

if you want to run it straight from your ro/di you would need a solenoid in between the ro/di and your kalk reactor, and control it with a float switch.

exactly what solenoid do i need and were can i get it, i tried asking home depot and lowes for a "shut off solenoid" but got nothing

[deahtop]

/bump

[Harold Edwards]

Originally posted by deahtop
exactly what solenoid do i need and were can i get it, i tried asking home depot and lowes for a "shut off solenoid" but got nothing

I'm sure someone else can help you find a better solenoid.
but hears one I found from http://www.mcmaster.com item #7877K2

[diverdick]

I use a 110v solenoid and tap right into my under sink RO system. My RO system has a 5 gal. reservoir for drinking and is ready to tap at any time. I simply "T'ed" off that supply line from the reservoir to the solenoid valve servicing my reef. Once through the solenoid, it then flows through a DIY kalk reactor (just search the diy kalkwasser reactor and you will find the same plans i used). The reactor has minimal pressure on it since its after the solenoid valve. I have a DC float swich that adds RO water every 1/2" loss in my fuge. I have zero fluctuation on salinity. The solenoid system is found here - http://www.autotopoff.com/products.html - it works great. It is a NC valve so it will fail shut if it fails. The only other trouble that can happen is the flaot switch sticks........keep it clean!

[deahtop]

im trying to set up the system today if possible since i have the extra time, when i called home depot/lowes/ace , they told me that they have solenoids but only for sprinklers, can i rig up some fittings and turn it into 1/4" input and output?