Calcium dispenser and the osmolator

[yarsrevenge]

How exactly does the calcium dispenser administer the limewater (how does it work?) I have the osmolator and typically drip kalk in the evenings but have found I could easily drip for all my evaporation as day time pH highs are not a problem.
Lonnie

 

[rvitko]

Imagine something like a 1l bottle with a water inlet that connects to the osmolator, the powder is inside and every time the pump turns on it mixes the kalk by injecting the water at an angle that creates a swirling motion. The solution exits the top. You add 4 teaspoons every week for 7 gallons of evaporation.

 

[biggsean20]

I have this same setup and have noticed that the kalk in my calcium dispenser seems to just build up in the bottom of the dispenser. I'm using kent kalkwasser mix and I have a high level of evaporation (4-5 gallons/day) so water movement through the dispenser should not be an issue. Is it the brand of kalk that I'm using? Is there another type of kalk that I could use that dissolves better?

 

[rvitko]

All kalk will form a unsoluble precipitate and you will want to clean the dispenser monthly. I fill mine with 50/50 vinegar and water and get it clean as new and then reinstall it. Kalk reacts with the dissolved CO2 in the water to form calcium carbonate which is insoluble. That is why the sealed reactor approach is superior to an open bucket where the CO2 from the air can continuously weaken the solution.

 

[Kutter]

I have the same thing with the kalk settling out in the bottom of the container. It doesn't matter whether I use the Tunze brand kalk that came with the reactor or another brand (like Kent).

Once a day I shake up the container to try and maximize the amount dissolved. This seems to help overcome that fact that the Tunze reactor does not have a mechanical mixer built in.

HTH.