DIY kalk reactor

[jkreefer]

OK, so I'm going to start a build thread on a kalk reactor for my 120 gallon tank. I plan on using the acrylic tube and pump method and feed with my gravity fed ATO tank. Need to find some acrylic tube and buy a Maxi Jet 400 and the rest of the fittings I think i can buy at HD. What are the rubber gromets that the pipe goes through the chamber called and could I get them somewhere local?

 

[lokii_37]

I'm following this. I currently I make 5 gallons of kalk every couple of days and gravity drip it.

 

[jkreefer]

Where do you buy your kalk? I just went to Wal Mart and they dont sell the Mrs Wages pickling lime anymore.

 

[dave540]

What are the rubber gromets that the pipe goes through the chamber called and could I get them somewhere local?

They are called Uniseals.

 

[jkreefer]

Sweet, thanks Dave! I'll look for them.

 

[lokii_37]

I bought done from Walmart the other day. It's by all the jars.

 

[lokii_37]

I wasn't planning on getting it but I found it by accident so I figured I might as well get some

 

[northbay-reefer]

I made one years ago and it is still working, you are more than welcome to come by and check it out to get some ideas.

I would use something like a maxijet 1200 and not the 400. The rubber seals are called uniseal I think but it will harden and leak eventually Alk will harden it. You will be much better off using pvc and glue it to the tube.

Mrs Wadge pickling lime is what I am using, Walmart will stock it up in the fall and that will be the best time to load up

 

[jkreefer]

I like the clean look of the uniseals and theyre only a buck a piece and would be easy to replace, so ill probly just stick with them. Why the Maxijet 1200? I would think that would blast the kalk all the way to the top of the chamber. It seems all the mass produced kalk reactors use 400's so I think I have a used 600 or 900 I might use that. Yes I need to come up and check yours out Tom and see your tank. I called Tap today and they are going to have 5" tube for me next week at $15 a foot and can order by the inch so I'll probly buy 18" of it. Takes me back to the day we built the Calcium reactors(which I have the one Mike was using, and am planning on setting that back up once my corals start growing a little faster).

 

[Xx YOZER xX]

I have a maxijet 1200. They pump like 295 gph. The 400 pumps 110 gph. You could get the 1200 and put a small ball valve on the output to regulate the flow.

 

[northbay-reefer]

If you set up the pump correctly it won't blow anything around, the main thing is have something strong to chew up the kalk. Believe it or not I am still using the same reactor that we built together.

 

[lokii_37]

I'm still trying to figure out how the reactor works. I get the basic idea but is it just hooked up ton the ATO with enough kalk to keep the water saturated?

 

[northbay-reefer]

Divide the tube in half install the pump in the center with the pump out put point to the bottom and the pump input sucking the water in at the middle of the tube this way kalk will be circulated and mixed in the bottom half of the tube. Ro water input at the bottom and mixed kalk water exit at the top of the tube.

 

[lokii_37]

Thanks for the explanation Tom. Now I can visualize how it functions

 

[jkreefer]

Did some work today!
Started out with some scrap pieces from Tap Plastics

Then cut out 4 circles for the top and the flange

Then taped both top and flange together and drilled the holes for my screws, I will make keyholes for the top piece once I get the screws in the mail.

Cutting out the center circle to make the flange

glued the flange on

After this picture, I used a flush trim bit on my router to take the excess off
the inside so the flange is flush with the tube

Ohh ya, I'm making two of them. Im sure someone else needs one right?

 

[northbay-reefer]

Very nice job Jeff, can't wait to see the finish product