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peiji 
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 Topic: Kalk Reactor....
Posted: August 29 2005 at 11:37am |
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What are the elements of a Kalk Reactor? I'm trying to see other DIY projects
and it just seems complicated to me for some reason. I have a relatively
small tank (65g) and not a lot of space under my tank and a limited budget.
I just need to raise my alkalinity and pH and keep it at a consistent level. Is it
more complicated than simply dripping Kalk water at a constant rate from a
container of water? Maybe I don't understand the of terms like "stirring"
"lime-pickling" etc. Is it better to have it mixed with your top off water or
keep an auto-topoff seperate from the kalk system?
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Jared Page
Highland, UT
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Seaul8r
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Posted: August 29 2005 at 11:42am |
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Thanks for the question Jared, I to am interested in understanding options in this area. I currently dose B-ionic but seem to have difficulty keeping consistent levels with Alk.
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75 Gallon Display, 75 Sump/Refug, Euroreef ES5-2 Skimmer, Iwaki 70 return pump, DIY Stand/Canopy
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jfinch
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Posted: August 29 2005 at 11:46am |
Lots of questions. One answer to them all... Yes. 
You don't need a reactor. You can drip it overnight. You can just dump it into the sump. The only caveat is that you need to be sure your pH doesn't get too high (which can happen if you're just dumping the whole lot into the sump at once).
Terms: Kalkwasser = Lime = Pickling Lime = Calcium Hydroxide = Ca(OH)2
They are all just names for the same substance.
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peiji
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Posted: August 29 2005 at 11:49am |
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cool. So, what do you use for Kalk? How concentrated do you want your
solution or does it matter? Of course, there will be some trial and error and
testing to get it right.
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Jared Page
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jfinch
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Posted: August 29 2005 at 11:53am |
I use Mrs. Wages ( http://store.yahoo.com/mrswages/mrswagpiclim.html) or Balls. Both can be found at some local grocery stores. I mix mine to saturation, but you might not want to. It just depends on how you want to add it.
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peiji
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Posted: August 29 2005 at 12:19pm |
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last question. Do I need a powerhead in the container to keep it mixed up?
Or, once it's dissolved, is it OK?
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Jared Page
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jfinch
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Posted: August 29 2005 at 12:26pm |
If you're doing it batchwise, once it's mixed up you should not disturb it any further. If you are doing it continously (kalk reactor) then you need to periodically (every 6-12 hrs) restir it.
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peiji
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Posted: August 29 2005 at 12:28pm |
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by batchwise, you mean you mix up a certain amount and then once it's
gone you mix up another batch? What is a reactor then? Does that mean you
are controlling the dosing with a pH probe or something?
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Jared Page
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jfinch
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Posted: August 29 2005 at 12:48pm |
by batchwise, you mean you mix up a certain amount and then once it's gone you mix up another batch?
yes
What is a reactor then?
A reactor has a more or less continous flow of fresh water flowing through it. This flow of water displaces the water(kalkwasser) already in the reactor which flows into your tank. Because you're constantly adding fresh water you need to re-mix it every once in a while.
Does that mean you are controlling the dosing with a pH probe or something?
Yes and no. Some people have controllers that will shut off the kalk reactor if their tank's pH gets too high. Others just watch pH and adjust the dosage rate to keep it in a safe region. You can add anywhere between zero and all-topoff-water-saturated-with-kalk, your tank's calcium demand will determine exactly how much.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: August 29 2005 at 8:03pm |
My use of KW has evolved as, over the years, I have desired to grow more stony coral and clams.
At one time I simply mixed a gallon of purified water and a tablespoon or two of lime, let it settle then transferred the clear liquid to a gallon milk jug with a pin hole in the bottom. This jug was then placed in a spot somewhere over my tank or Refugium sometime around lights out. It dripped for about two hours and my tank was fairly happy. 
 Soon, a gallon of KW was not meeting the tanks needs for calcium. About that same time a friend gave me a dosing pump. I put lime in the bottom of a tall salt bucket and poured in 5-6 gals of R.O. water every 2-3 days. The dosing pump then did the rest. It was, and still is, hooked up to the same timer as the RDP Refugium lights. KW is dosed all night and my tank was fairly happy.
These days, again the tank is not getting enough calcium and alkalinity (too many clams, stony coral and Halimeda Algae). The dosing pump is still hooked up but I also add a three part solution of Ca, Alk and Mg whenever I can remember to do it. 
I really need to add a Ca Reactor, but I'm just too lazy. 
hope this helps.
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Will Spencer
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Posted: August 29 2005 at 9:05pm |
It helped me. I like the milk jug solution. I think I'll give it a try.
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peiji
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Posted: September 01 2005 at 9:04am |
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So, Kalkwasser or the pickling lime solution that you use, Jon, takes care of
your calcium needs as well as keeping your alkalinity in check?
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Jared Page
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jfinch
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Posted: September 01 2005 at 9:58am |
It takes care of only a portion of my tank's needs. The rest is picked up by the calcium reactor.
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peiji
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Posted: September 01 2005 at 9:59am |
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so, I would have to supplement with additional calcium additives?
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Jared Page
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reptoreef
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Posted: September 01 2005 at 10:05am |
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I believe that Jon also utilizes a Calcium Reactor to aid in achieving the Calcium demand. I, as well as others, also use this same method.
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fj40fax
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Posted: September 01 2005 at 10:11am |
I bet if you knew how much water you evap'd off in a 24 hour period, and could measure how much your alk and Ca dropped over that same period Jon could do the math/stoichiometry to tell you how much 2-part solution you would need to dose on top of your kalk evap rate to keep consistent levels. None of the rest of us are smart enough to attemp such a daunting task  . The easiest thing to do would be to set up a reactor/ drip system and then see what more Ca/Alk you need to keep up with.
Fax
PS Stop by the office some time and I'll show you my kalk system, it is really easy.
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Fax 318-3632
90g 2x250W 14kK MH
Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII
Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle
Adjustments and Massages for Frags!
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peiji
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Posted: September 01 2005 at 10:25am |
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Where's your office? I'd be interested in seeing what you've done. All I ask is
for a everything to fit in my small stand area and not cost an arm and a leg :)
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Jared Page
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jfinch
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Posted: September 01 2005 at 10:49am |
I bet if you knew how much water you evap'd off in a 24 hour period, and could measure how much your alk and Ca dropped over that same period Jon could do the math/stoichiometry to tell you how much 2-part solution you would need to dose on top of your kalk evap rate to keep consistent levels.
If you can tell me how much water your tank evaporates per day and your typical alkalinity consumption I could do that. If you add 2 part daily and your alkalinity holds steady, just tell me how much 2 part your adding. Otherwise, measure your alkalinity, stop all additives for a day or two and remeasure. The difference divided by the days between test would be your alk demand...
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peiji
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Posted: September 01 2005 at 10:53am |
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I'll do that, thanks. Right now, I have no clue what my consumption rate is.
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Jared Page
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fj40fax
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Posted: September 01 2005 at 2:53pm |
My address and phone number are below in my sig. I have a very small foot print on my tank/stand and everything is enclosed.
Fax
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Fax 318-3632
90g 2x250W 14kK MH
Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII
Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle
Adjustments and Massages for Frags!
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