DIY kalk reactor idea.
- Thread starter msuzuki126
- Start date
goodfortune
Member
I was at the same presentation with JustOneMoreTank...I made one too. The water filter kalk reactor works really well for being so small and cheap 
.
Using a kalk reactor with such a small volume made me nervous at first. However, I've found that the key to using it with no problems is to set your flow rate out of it so that it only drips when it is topping off your tank.
Be sure to give the reactor a good shake now and then. Since the whole kalk powder layer in this type of reactor doesn't get stirred up on a regular basis like in a traditional reactor, you can get some channeling of the top off water through the kalk powder over time.
Enjoy!
- Michael
. Using a kalk reactor with such a small volume made me nervous at first. However, I've found that the key to using it with no problems is to set your flow rate out of it so that it only drips when it is topping off your tank.
Be sure to give the reactor a good shake now and then. Since the whole kalk powder layer in this type of reactor doesn't get stirred up on a regular basis like in a traditional reactor, you can get some channeling of the top off water through the kalk powder over time.
Enjoy!
- Michael
manderx
New member
this is exactly what i've made for a few people in my local club. i glue up a 3.5x3.5 tube out of acrylic sheet, then cut a ~60 degree slant to the end to be the bottom. the most expensive parts are the 2 speedfits for the water in/out. i use a 1.5" pvc thread/plug to fill (looking for something better though, something that doesn't need teflon tape). they only have to shake it once a week or so to break up channels, the force of the dosing pump does all the mixing needed. these guys are having better luck maintaining numbers with these than i am with my deltec stirrer. i'm about ready to make one for myself and sell the deltec. especially since it flooded *again* last night- technically my fault as always, but a better design would be much more error-proof.
JustOneMoreTank
New member
Hey goodfortune!
So how is the tank and the kalk reactor/top off running?
Tonight I just "deconstructed" everything under my tank to get to my OM 4 Way. It was clicking and the drum was not rotating. I had to remove the sump, skimmer, return pump and take the OM unit apart. Turns out that it was just full of Calcium. I guess you have to clean it at least once a year.
Ooops.
I also tightened up one piece of plumbing that had a very very slow leak.
Ok... that is all. The kalk/top off and everything else is back on line.
So how is the tank and the kalk reactor/top off running?
Tonight I just "deconstructed" everything under my tank to get to my OM 4 Way. It was clicking and the drum was not rotating. I had to remove the sump, skimmer, return pump and take the OM unit apart. Turns out that it was just full of Calcium. I guess you have to clean it at least once a year.
Ooops. I also tightened up one piece of plumbing that had a very very slow leak.
Ok... that is all. The kalk/top off and everything else is back on line.
douggiestyle
New member
Ive posted this a few other threads. but seeing this thread is sort of show me yours ill show you mine. ive posted it again. i no longer use it. but it worked fine when i did.
take a salt bucket with lid. drill and tap a couple holes to fit some jaco fittings. drill a hole large enough to fit the cord plug from a small power head. thread the power head plug through. then take to plastic lids that are larger than the plug holes (spice jar lids work good) drill hole the size of cord and add a slot. slide one over cord on inside of lid slide one over outside. fix height of power head about 4" above the floor of the bucket. fill the lids with silicon and tape into place. let cure. take one of the jaco fittings and drill out the inside 1/4". slip a 1/4" tube in and glue. cut tube to length so it stops just above the bucket floor. put ph on timer. add lime. ready to roll.
i built one for about 5 bucks. all items were already in hand except silicon.
the ph output is to be facing down not up.
take a salt bucket with lid. drill and tap a couple holes to fit some jaco fittings. drill a hole large enough to fit the cord plug from a small power head. thread the power head plug through. then take to plastic lids that are larger than the plug holes (spice jar lids work good) drill hole the size of cord and add a slot. slide one over cord on inside of lid slide one over outside. fix height of power head about 4" above the floor of the bucket. fill the lids with silicon and tape into place. let cure. take one of the jaco fittings and drill out the inside 1/4". slip a 1/4" tube in and glue. cut tube to length so it stops just above the bucket floor. put ph on timer. add lime. ready to roll.
i built one for about 5 bucks. all items were already in hand except silicon.
the ph output is to be facing down not up.
msuzuki126
New member
This reactor would still work if it was square correct?
Fishbulb2
New member
Ok ok fine. It's not one of those guys that doesn't read the thread and then drops in his two cents. I've read the thread. I've done the bucket trick, the two liter bottle, and now have an acrylic (purchased) kalk reactor. It was just a joke. Nothing more. Nothing less.
A closed loop is where a pump is mounted on the outside of tank and plumbed in. Typically this is better than powerheads because the pumps can be hidden and don't transfer as much heat to water. In fact most professional kalk reactors all have closed loops in them. Usually involving a small powerhead like a maxi-jet. The joke is that connecting it up to an OM 4 way squirt or something would be absurd overkill. So people are supposed to laugh at the little joke. Confusion if you do not know what a closed loop system is of course acceptable. But no need to be rude if you didn't get the joke.
FB
A closed loop is where a pump is mounted on the outside of tank and plumbed in. Typically this is better than powerheads because the pumps can be hidden and don't transfer as much heat to water. In fact most professional kalk reactors all have closed loops in them. Usually involving a small powerhead like a maxi-jet. The joke is that connecting it up to an OM 4 way squirt or something would be absurd overkill. So people are supposed to laugh at the little joke. Confusion if you do not know what a closed loop system is of course acceptable. But no need to be rude if you didn't get the joke.
FB
AIMFish
Premium Member
Has anyone ever tried running a smaller powerhead continuously instead of a more powerful one on a timer? That is of course assuming you are using more powerful ones to start with but I was thinking of using the smallest maxi they make, 400 maybe and letting it run continuously on a 3-4 ft. reactor? It should be strong enough to keep the kalk stirred but not make the top cloudy.
Oh and Fishbulb2 use the smilies
to denote sarcasm and humor :smokin:
Oh and Fishbulb2 use the smilies
to denote sarcasm and humor :smokin:
JustOneMoreTank
New member
AIMFish... I'm not convinced that you really need to use a power head to stir the kalk constantly. If you use the flow of the fresh water coming into the container to mix or agitate the kalk powder I think that would really be about all you need. I dont really know why you need such a strong powerhead or pump to cloud up the mixture. Kalk is super cheap. Buy Pickling Lime !!! Any undissolved powder I just throw away after a month. Big deal. Maybe I am wasting a little but it is much cheaper than buying a pump and putting it on a timer ... or running it 24/7. The pump will get full of solids and break eventually.
