BEST Kalk Stirrer?
- Thread starter Fliger
- Start date
I've had a GEO before buying the KM500. I had the GEO set to stir for 15 minutes, 4 times a day. After several months, the Maxijet became louder as it started rattling.
The KM500 works on a such a simple yet effective concept. No noise and it does its job. I also like the idea having it non-pressurized. I was always paranoid about the gasket leaking on GEO lid, not that it ever did but felt like I was taking risk.
If you have the extra money, pony up and get the Deltec. If not, I've heard the Aquamedic units work the same way and much cheaper. Although I haven't read anything from the owners.
The GEO is nice and is built like a tank just like all the other fine GEO products. If you don't mind the noise from the Maxijet or have it in a fish room then it might be a good choice also.
The KM500 works on a such a simple yet effective concept. No noise and it does its job. I also like the idea having it non-pressurized. I was always paranoid about the gasket leaking on GEO lid, not that it ever did but felt like I was taking risk.
If you have the extra money, pony up and get the Deltec. If not, I've heard the Aquamedic units work the same way and much cheaper. Although I haven't read anything from the owners.
The GEO is nice and is built like a tank just like all the other fine GEO products. If you don't mind the noise from the Maxijet or have it in a fish room then it might be a good choice also.
If They are still Made, My Vote is for a MTC ProLime Unit. They were the Best Hands down, Impossible to overdose, after going thru the same Research as you, that was my Pick.
They actually made one up for me because he said the Calcium Reactors made them wane in sales.
I used both with great success.
I used it for Autotop-off using a float switch, the design of the prolime is fool proof, no Floods/overdosing.
HTH!
-Wolfgang
They actually made one up for me because he said the Calcium Reactors made them wane in sales.
I used both with great success.
I used it for Autotop-off using a float switch, the design of the prolime is fool proof, no Floods/overdosing.
HTH!
-Wolfgang
Fliger
New member
I still love the Deltec (even though its offline ATM). Its just so dang easy. Top lifts right off, dump in the kalk. I agree the Aquamedic should be awesome but I've yet to see a review or one in person. But its less than half the cost of the Deltec and looks like it works exactly the same. I don't know if it's "sealed" - the Deltec is not.
prance1520
Member
Another vote for Geo. I'll clean my pump with all my other pumps during my semi-annual pump cleaning extravaganza.
I may have to start pumping straight CO2 into my tank because my pH rocks with the unit. Before I had trouble keeping it above 8, now I wake up with it around 8.45 (my ATO only doses at night to try to keep the pH level).
If you keep a regemented pump cleaning schedule, GEOs are lovely, specially when the main competitor in Deltec is a price bracket higher. But Deltec makes great stuff.
Just offering some experience.
I may have to start pumping straight CO2 into my tank because my pH rocks with the unit. Before I had trouble keeping it above 8, now I wake up with it around 8.45 (my ATO only doses at night to try to keep the pH level).
If you keep a regemented pump cleaning schedule, GEOs are lovely, specially when the main competitor in Deltec is a price bracket higher. But Deltec makes great stuff.
Just offering some experience.
Fliger
New member
Here you go. The smaller unit actually has a slightly larger capacity than the KM500 and IIRC it is under $200 (the KM500 is over $400). I know a couple people who have them, sean_nj is the only one I can think of though. I'm sure you could do a search. The larger AM is under $400 but looks to be waaaay overkill for most aquariums.
http://www.aqua-medic.com/products/...Filter Components&product=Kalkwasser Stirrers
http://www.aqua-medic.com/products/...Filter Components&product=Kalkwasser Stirrers
Fliger
New member
Yeah bro, I agree. Without a doubt I'd spend $400 on something that I know I will love than $180 on something I'm not sure about. HOWEVER, if I saw the Aquamedic in person and liked the design I'd probably go that way because the design is uber simple and the Deltec is ridiculously overpriced. Especially for what it goes for elsewhere. But if I had to make the decision sight unseen and money wasn't an issue ... KM500 all the way. Its a great unit.
CoralFiend
New member
FYI. One thing to consider with the GEO. It uses an ORing gasket on the top flange and you really have to torque down on it to seal - if it will seal. A friend has one and it leaked like a sieve, no matter how tight he turned the nylon screws, the ORing would not seal.
We looked at the flange and there were uneven gouge marks from the router bit all along the bottom of the groove that the ORing sits in. He contacted GEO and was told to just put some silicone in the groove. Don't think so.
I also have one of these units, but my tank is not ready for set up yet. It has the same imperfections in the groove. These units were bought at the same time, so this may just be a batch problem, rather than with all reactors.
We actually found a wide flat gasket that fits perfectly and we used them to replace the ORings on both units. His is the only one in operation, but it is now leak free. There really should be a full gasket on that flange.
The "not-so-smooth" groove in the bottom half of the top flange.
Problem resolved.
We looked at the flange and there were uneven gouge marks from the router bit all along the bottom of the groove that the ORing sits in. He contacted GEO and was told to just put some silicone in the groove. Don't think so.
I also have one of these units, but my tank is not ready for set up yet. It has the same imperfections in the groove. These units were bought at the same time, so this may just be a batch problem, rather than with all reactors.
We actually found a wide flat gasket that fits perfectly and we used them to replace the ORings on both units. His is the only one in operation, but it is now leak free. There really should be a full gasket on that flange.
The "not-so-smooth" groove in the bottom half of the top flange.
Problem resolved.
UCanDoIt
In Memoriam
I love my Deltec kalkstirrer and wouldn't hesitate to buy again. Quiet, extremely energy efficient, doesn't kick up all the kalkwasser, just gently stirs continuosly and keeps kalkwasser in suspension. I use with a Tunze Omsolator top-off and it feeds my tank about 1/2g to no more than 1g daily. What I like most is how the top lifts off so easily and I just spoon in the kalkwasser to bring back to the correct level.
Aquamedic looks promising though.
Aquamedic looks promising though.
sean_nj
In Memoriam
Well, since someone asked me about the AquaMedic kalk stirrer, I would say it's a great solid product at a reasonable price.
I have had it since March, running 24 hours per day. It's still running like brand new and never stopped. It's similar to Deltec version in design. I have the smaller one and it's capacity is bigger than the Deltec's small unit. It runs very quiet, which is very important to me. There is no kalk particle flowing out the outlet while someone said it happens to the D brand. The top is sealed, and you can open it by a simple twist.
In short, it's a solid product and I would buy it again if I need to. You can get it from customaquatic through fatwallet link to get additional 5% off.
Hope this helps.
Sean
I have had it since March, running 24 hours per day. It's still running like brand new and never stopped. It's similar to Deltec version in design. I have the smaller one and it's capacity is bigger than the Deltec's small unit. It runs very quiet, which is very important to me. There is no kalk particle flowing out the outlet while someone said it happens to the D brand. The top is sealed, and you can open it by a simple twist.
In short, it's a solid product and I would buy it again if I need to. You can get it from customaquatic through fatwallet link to get additional 5% off.
Hope this helps.
Sean
invincible569
New member
thanks for the info!
reefkeeper1
Member
I like my Barr Aquatic
Top of KR1220
Easy twist-off lid
Stir bar centered on bottom of chamber
Stir Bar spinning
Reactor milky-white with calcium hydroxide solution
Top of KR1220
Easy twist-off lid
Stir bar centered on bottom of chamber
Stir Bar spinning
Reactor milky-white with calcium hydroxide solution
