My Second Generation DIY Kalk Reactor

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by rocketmandb, Aug 6, 2014.

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  1. rocketmandb

    rocketmandb Ocellaris Clown

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    Water tests are too early to show movement, but I can see the stirring working well and it's so simple that I'm sure it's the same as my last one. I would think you could get a nice sized tank like the one I've got (smaller) that would fit around your set up. Do you have room in your sump area? I forget how much you've got there. It could mount on either end or the back quite easily.
     
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  3. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    My sump is absolutely stacked. I do use a kent iv doser for
    Kalk. I try to keep that going during the week but some get away from me. Some day I will have a filter room.
     
  4. rocketmandb

    rocketmandb Ocellaris Clown

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    I just sent you a link for a tank that could do it.
     
  5. Billme

    Billme Eyelash Blennie

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    OK, so more on topic. I read that there is a crust that forms on the surface. Do you just place the drain below the surface and ignore the crust, or does the stiring eliminate that problem?
     
  6. rocketmandb

    rocketmandb Ocellaris Clown

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    I've heard about that, but don't seem to have a problem. I'm guessing the stirring keeps the surface agitated enough that it doesn't form.
     
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  7. rocketmandb

    rocketmandb Ocellaris Clown

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    I recently made a major modification to the system. As I mentioned in my build thread recently, I had perpetual issues with the RO water feed pump and it was causing issues when it would inevitably fail.

    Here is what my system looked like originally:
    [​IMG]

    Basically the Kalk RO feed and ATO were completely separate. This necessitated periodic refilling of the Kalk RO feed tank and constant monitoring to make sure the pump hadn't failed. When I finally had enough with crappy pumps, I made the following change:

    [​IMG]

    So what I did was to run a drip line from the Kalk RO feed tank to the Kalk reactor. I regulate the flow rate with a drip valve. The Kalk RO feed tank is now tied into the ATO. Basically, when the ATO float switch fires, it fills the Kalk RO feed tank. This tank has a bulkhead that allows overflow to the sump. As such, there is always water to drip as long as I keep my 250 gallon RO holding tank filled.

    The only issues I've run into with this is that the slow drip causes a build up of Kalk at the end of the tube that drips it to the sump. It can clog so periodic maintenance (~once every 4-6 weeks) to keep it clear is necessary. If I had a more vertical drip tube, it wouldn't be an issue, but I'm not changing it. I just look in every once in a while to make sure it's dripping. If I see a drip, I move on.

    Overall I've been very happy with this set up. It is as close to maintenance free dosing as I've found.

    My next endeavor is to see if powder dosing of other additives is viable.
     
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  9. RoloSaez

    RoloSaez Millepora

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    Screen Shot 2015-02-02 at 7.31.30 PM.png Click on this down there. We lost all your photos in photo bucket. I really like the idea and would like to try and add it in my system. Wanted to see these pictures. :(