cheap-o kalk drip idea

[supermarvin76]

I was thinking about starting to does Kalk. What I was planning was just to mix it in a 1gal jug, and place that on top of my sump with a airtube in it.

Tie the airtube in a loose knot in the tube and start a siphon, and let it drip.

Will this work?

 

[scollier41]

Yes as long as the drip is slow and consitant. I would also check it from time to time to make sure it doesn't stop or need to be shaked.

 

[supermarvin76]

What would happen if it stopped?

 

[scollier41]

It just wouldn't be as consistant. The goal in obtaining the constant drip is to keep introduce a small amount at a time into the aquarium so that you don't have ph swings. You need to monitor the calcium levels to know how much you need to dose.
If you add to much at a time you will have ph swings.

 

[supermarvin76]

Would a calcium reactor do the same thing, but better? If so, do you think a calcium reactor is better?

 

[ONEMANBAND]

calcium reactor is totally differend device, maybe you meant kalk reactor? BTW many people use both a calcium reactor and kalk , with the kalk mainly to help stabilize PH

 

[scollier41]

Well the topic was cheap-o..... staying with that theme, I would just use the drip. It is successful up to a decent population of corals.

 

[rustybucket145]

I use a device similar to your mentioned method. Instead of tying the line I use a clothes pin to clip a kink in the line, then the clothes pin is adjusted to fine tune the drip rate. Works great for me.

 

[ckfazz]

I made one for myself a little while back and it works very well. I took a small plastic water bottle (did not need anything larger since it is a nano tank) and put a small hole in the side by the bottom. Then I took a small grommet and placed it in the hole with silicone. Put the airhose through the grommet and siliconed that as well. I then cut the airline close to the bottle and put an airvalve there to control the flow of the Kalk and connected the remaining airline to the other side of the valve. Works like a charm for me. Hope that helps.

 

[azeli73]

I used this DIY and it works great, http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/nftt/index.php

 

[babyhuey]

Here is mine