hansnfrans
New member
Is this okay, or will it cause the float valve to fail prematurely, due to calcium buildup?
Can Kalkwasser be dosed w/ a Kent Float valve?
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hansnfrans
New member
Thanks for the quick responses. The reason why I asked was because I've been dripping Kalk and I went out of town this weekend and came home today to a sump that was almost overflowing b/c the Kalk drip rate was too fast. It dropped my salinity from 1.026 down to 1.023 over the course of 1.5 days. I hope my red linckia's don't die 
. Looks like I'll probably have to get a Kalk Reactor then.
menard - Do you think the float valves are acceptable for water topoff applications. How do these fail....Do they fail by staying in the open position (letting too much water run through the valve) or the closed position (not letting water run through the valve)?
. Looks like I'll probably have to get a Kalk Reactor then.menard - Do you think the float valves are acceptable for water topoff applications. How do these fail....Do they fail by staying in the open position (letting too much water run through the valve) or the closed position (not letting water run through the valve)?
jdieck
New member
A programable doser pump is what you need with or wothout the reactor so the amounts added are measured.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7753433#post7753433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hansnfrans
Thanks for the quick responses. The reason why I asked was because I've been dripping Kalk and I went out of town this weekend and came home today to a sump that was almost overflowing b/c the Kalk drip rate was too fast. It dropped my salinity from 1.026 down to 1.023 over the course of 1.5 days. I hope my red linckia's don't die
menard - Do you think the float valves are acceptable for water topoff applications. How do these fail....Do they fail by staying in the open position (letting too much water run through the valve) or the closed position (not letting water run through the valve)?
The floats usually fail in the open position due to failure of the seat or trapped debris.
They are very useful as a safety feature. in other words when using float switches the water is fed trough a float installed a bit higher than the uper switch, if the switch fails the float will close so they complement each other.
hansnfrans
New member
jdieck - what is a good dosing pump for this sort of application?
menard
TOTM Nov. 2006
They are good but ready to replace'em every 3yrs.Using it w/ kalkwasser, thats a big NO. Dosers are good, figure out how much evaporation U loose each day, program,done. In the past I used IV Drip pump, my friend MD gave me one. Now I have electronic float swich w/ safety, if the frist one fails the other one trigger it close.
Edward Smith
Active member
I have just been throught the "Kalkwasser Gauntlet from Hell!"
I tried making my own stirrers, my own reactors, etc.... and all were a waste of time and money.
There are good and inexpensive peristatlic pumps on ebay but be sure that they have the ability to match your evaporation rate and tubing is reasonably priced.
There are also used hospital style pumps called "kangaroo pumps" that people have had a lot of success with.
Lastly, I have an aquamedic doser 3000 controlled with a timer (which was orginally recommended to me).
Good luck
hansnfrans
New member
Ed - that's funny that you mentioned the DIY kalk reactors. I was going to build one myself. Maybe I'll just buy a kalk stirrer. I was also seriously considering using that same aquamedic dosing pump. What was your experience w/ this?
jdieck
New member
I use a litermeter from Spectrapure and it has been very reliable.
I have seen some medical adjustable ones advertized on e-bay which may be adapted.
The good about adjustable is that you can set them to match the evaporation.
Aquamedic and Two Little fishies have good doesrs also but if you get the ones that are not adjustable you need to add float switches to it which might at the end close the price gap.
ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
hansnfrans: can't believe noone has mentioned this but the problems are less likely related to salinity than to pH. You must have had a huge, huge spike!
I'm using a Masterflex C/L dosing pump. It is 2-channel. I like that. If one fails or clogs I still get some kalk dripping. It's running about half-speed.
Tricky thing as Ed alluded to is getting the right tubing. Picked the pump up on ebay for under 50.
The un-adjustable peristaltic pumps need not run on a float ... you can run on a timer, and/or restrict the input with a flow restrictor (don't restrict the output side -- just the opposite of water pumps!).
I'm using a Masterflex C/L dosing pump. It is 2-channel. I like that. If one fails or clogs I still get some kalk dripping. It's running about half-speed.
Tricky thing as Ed alluded to is getting the right tubing. Picked the pump up on ebay for under 50.
The un-adjustable peristaltic pumps need not run on a float ... you can run on a timer, and/or restrict the input with a flow restrictor (don't restrict the output side -- just the opposite of water pumps!).
hansnfrans
New member
Ostrow- that Masterflex 2 channel sounds like a good idea. I have seen that alot of people use this pump too. I assume that I could hook this pump up to my Kent Aqua-doser until I buy a Kalk reactor, right? Did you buy this from an ebay store or just through a single person/auction on ebay? Any ideas on what I should type into ebay's search-engine in order to find this Masterflex 2 channel pump? Thanks.
ostrow
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
I think his ebay id is biobob.
Beware one thing: the tubing you need for this is 2.79mm Pharmed Microbore tubing. It is pricey ... around $90 for a 100ft spool and no, you can't get smaller spools. I managed to pry 2ft sample out of them free. That ain't gonna happen again, I don't think. But the only tubing that will work on these pumps is microbore tubing. The guy sells it with .89mm tubing which comes standard with the pump, and is perfect for dosing 2-part additives, but will not give a rate anywhere near fast enough for evaporation replacement with kalk. Plus, the .89 would likely clog with kalk.
Now, if a handful of people end up with the C/L pumps and we can get 4 or 5 to split the spool order, then it's worth it bigtime!
As an option you can look for a Masterflex L/S pump, with an "easyload" head. Only one channel, but you have many more options on tubing.
Not sure why you need the pump on the aquadoser. Or why you need a kalk reactor. Nor do I have any idea if or how this pump would work on either.
Get a suitable sized container (I use a 44gal Brute garbage can), a maxijet 1200, fill the can with RO/DI (you can use a float to keep it auto-topped off), have the MJ on a timer to turn it on 2x a day for 10 min, and dose straight from there.
Beware one thing: the tubing you need for this is 2.79mm Pharmed Microbore tubing. It is pricey ... around $90 for a 100ft spool and no, you can't get smaller spools. I managed to pry 2ft sample out of them free. That ain't gonna happen again, I don't think. But the only tubing that will work on these pumps is microbore tubing. The guy sells it with .89mm tubing which comes standard with the pump, and is perfect for dosing 2-part additives, but will not give a rate anywhere near fast enough for evaporation replacement with kalk. Plus, the .89 would likely clog with kalk.
Now, if a handful of people end up with the C/L pumps and we can get 4 or 5 to split the spool order, then it's worth it bigtime!
As an option you can look for a Masterflex L/S pump, with an "easyload" head. Only one channel, but you have many more options on tubing.
Not sure why you need the pump on the aquadoser. Or why you need a kalk reactor. Nor do I have any idea if or how this pump would work on either.
Get a suitable sized container (I use a 44gal Brute garbage can), a maxijet 1200, fill the can with RO/DI (you can use a float to keep it auto-topped off), have the MJ on a timer to turn it on 2x a day for 10 min, and dose straight from there.
Edward Smith
Active member
If you decide to go with the masterflex, let me know. I was going to use mine then ended up getting a good deal on a aquadoser and decided to use that instead.
You dont need a stirrer. Just a plastic storage container, ?20gal, and a 1200 or 900 maxijet on a timer. On the storage container is where you can place your float valve for a hands free system.
Send me your phone # if you have any questions.
NewSchool04
New member
go to www.innovativeaquatics.com. I have the Nautilus II and it's great.
Edward Smith
Active member
The Nautilus II actually is the medical pump known as a "Kangaroo pump." Lot of people use them and they say their dependable. You can get used ones considerably cheaper on ebay.
The peristalic pump I have is used but made by a very reputable manufacurer (masterflex). It pumps about half as much as the one Mike has the link to but it about 25% the price.
The peristalic pump I have is used but made by a very reputable manufacurer (masterflex). It pumps about half as much as the one Mike has the link to but it about 25% the price.
NewSchool04
New member
It does look very similiar Ed. It looks like it's only one channel and the Nautilus II is two channel capable and I'm not sure if you can run those on a timer, the Nautilus is set up so you can run it at night and cut it off during the day without losing your program. You'd also have to buy the high volume tubing.
I'd say the best thing is that Stan the owner stands by his pumps. You have any problem, he'll take it back. Good guy to work with.
I'd say the best thing is that Stan the owner stands by his pumps. You have any problem, he'll take it back. Good guy to work with.
The pump I linked to up there is the perstaltic diaphragm pump that I use (and have used 24/7 for 4 years). Mine only has one channel unlike the dual in the link. Those are commercial grade pumps for moving serious chemicals around. My only complaint is that is would be a bit noisy if it were not isolated somewhere (i.e my fishroom).
