--75g Barebottom/Starboard Reef Project--
- Thread starter arconom
- Start date
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Travis
10 and over club
That is not soon enough. We want to see it NOW.
You must have more patience than me. If I just got that skimmer in the mail I would be up all night for as long as it takes to get it hooked up and running, regardless of whether or not I worked the next morning. I guess that is where my obsessive complusive disorder comes into play.:lol:
You must have more patience than me. If I just got that skimmer in the mail I would be up all night for as long as it takes to get it hooked up and running, regardless of whether or not I worked the next morning. I guess that is where my obsessive complusive disorder comes into play.:lol:
arconom
Premium Member
Believe me I'm the same way
But I have a full time Job, like most,School at night, and a 4 1/2 month old to be with.
Since I was with my tank so much in the setup I didn't get to see my son alot. That really got me upset.
BUT Travis...........This skimmer will be rocking by tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pictures to come
BTW I ordered the Deltec Kalk Reactor ROFL .
But I have a full time Job, like most,School at night, and a 4 1/2 month old to be with.Since I was with my tank so much in the setup I didn't get to see my son alot. That really got me upset.
BUT Travis...........This skimmer will be rocking by tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pictures to come
BTW I ordered the Deltec Kalk Reactor ROFL .
floridareefs
New member
omg what a post----you sure you want a barebottom starboard tank? man you have dropped some cassh on this project, not to mention time. Did you really have that much problems that would make you change to this? good luck man!
Travis
10 and over club
You will love that deltec kalk reactor. Are you aware that it is not a sealed chamber and must be elevated above your sump so the kalk can gravity drain out of it? I didn't know that when I got mine. I also placed an airline check valve on mine right between the two parts that attach to the outside of the reactor. The feed line goes betweent these two parts. Just cut the feed line and insert check valve there. My problem was that, since the stirrer was elevated so high, when my LMIII pump was off it would start back siphoning from stirrer. this is because the water input is at the bottom of the stirrer.
Travis
10 and over club
By "not sealed", I mean the lid just rests on top. The water level only goes up to about 1" from the top and then exits out the outlet, where it then gravity drains to the sump.
I highly recommend against using float switches for topping off kalk. I had this type of setup on my 75. Something restricted my drain while I was at work and caused 15 gallons to overflow the tank. This was all replaced with kalk. Needless to say, I lost all of the corals. The tank was milk white when I got home.
I highly recommend against using float switches for topping off kalk. I had this type of setup on my 75. Something restricted my drain while I was at work and caused 15 gallons to overflow the tank. This was all replaced with kalk. Needless to say, I lost all of the corals. The tank was milk white when I got home.
arconom
Premium Member
Travis, I had no idea is wasn't sealed. I wonder why they didn't seal it.
They also included a check valve which is good. I really don't see how to set it up other then with a float switch. Otherwise it would be a overpriced Kent dosing unit with a adjustable drip.
Travis can you help to prevent the problem you had?
My main intent was to use this as the water topoff with the added benefit of kalk.
Jay, I guess I never got one of your awesome orange digi's
They also included a check valve which is good. I really don't see how to set it up other then with a float switch. Otherwise it would be a overpriced Kent dosing unit with a adjustable drip.
Travis can you help to prevent the problem you had?
My main intent was to use this as the water topoff with the added benefit of kalk.
Jay, I guess I never got one of your awesome orange digi's
Travis
10 and over club
Not sure why they don't seal the tops. Easier access I suppose. It is very nice to be able to just lift the top up to dump in some kalk. But it requires that the reactor be positioned in the sump or above the sump. That is good that they are now including check valves. I'm guessing other people probably had problems with the back siphoning.
The BEST way to dose the kalk is with a peristaltic dosing pump, which allows you to set the feed rate. Unfortunately, you will end up spending around $300 for one. You can keep an eye on the selling forums and ebay. I occasionally see a Litermeter 1 pop up there for a decent price.
In your case, I would do 2 things. First, add another float switch and hook up a relay. The second float switch will kill the feed pump if the water level rises to its level. This will keep you covered if your original float switch ever "sticks". Unfortunately, it still wouldn't have helped in my situation. Here is a link to where to buy the materials and a good tutorial. FWIW, I just bought a dual float relay setup from them for my new sump, but it is only for adding RO.
Another thing you can do is control the amount of flow coming from your feed pump with a valve, similar to how a calcium reactor is run. Set it to a slow drip that is just higher than your evaporation rate. So when the pump comes on, it is only a slow drip. If it sticks on for any reason, it will be nearly impossible to overdose the kalk.
The BEST way to dose the kalk is with a peristaltic dosing pump, which allows you to set the feed rate. Unfortunately, you will end up spending around $300 for one. You can keep an eye on the selling forums and ebay. I occasionally see a Litermeter 1 pop up there for a decent price.
In your case, I would do 2 things. First, add another float switch and hook up a relay. The second float switch will kill the feed pump if the water level rises to its level. This will keep you covered if your original float switch ever "sticks". Unfortunately, it still wouldn't have helped in my situation. Here is a link to where to buy the materials and a good tutorial. FWIW, I just bought a dual float relay setup from them for my new sump, but it is only for adding RO.
Another thing you can do is control the amount of flow coming from your feed pump with a valve, similar to how a calcium reactor is run. Set it to a slow drip that is just higher than your evaporation rate. So when the pump comes on, it is only a slow drip. If it sticks on for any reason, it will be nearly impossible to overdose the kalk.
:eek2:- Status
