Kalk in auto top off(pump question)

[saltwatersmac]

I have a 90 gal with 20 gal sump and 15 gal fuge. I have and auto top off setup from autotopoff.com in a 7 gal trash can with Mini-jet 404. I plan on using this for my kalk additions much in the way Randy does except for the Mini-jet powerhead. I've measured that it pumps between 10 and 12 ounces of freshwater each time the float switch calls for it. It pumps into the outlet of my skimmer so it mixes pretty well before reaching the return pump. I have about 400 gal/hr going through my 20H gal sump. Will 10 to 12 ounces of kalk create too much of a spike in pH at one time?

Thanks
Stephen

 

[Bill and Elaine]

I'm not sure how randy does it.......I use a kalk reactor......the Ph coming out of it is 12.0........my auto top off only puts in a few ounces at a time.....and when it does the PH goes up .1 or .2

 

[saltwatersmac]

In some of his previous articles, he uses an auto top off with a float switch and a Reef Filler pump which can be controlled to slowly add the kalk. I may have just had a light switch come on in my head. I can turn down the output of my Mini-Jet 404. Maybe I can get it to barely overcome the head from pushing it out of the container so it will slowly run in.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I suspect that 10-12 ounces at once to a 90 is borderline, but might be OK. The sump may get some deposits in it, but that isn't the end of the world. I'd probably try it and see what happens, and it is looks too problematic, try a slower pump.

 

[Bandsaw]

Just my experience,

I am using a switch from AutoTopOff.com as well and a MaxiJet 1200 as my pump to add top off water in my 8g sump.

The PH in the sump spikes to around 8.5 when dosed and within an hour settles to 8.1 to 8.2 depending on the time of day (8.0 at night). I get a small amount of deposits on the bottom of my sump. Nothing noticed in the display. The PH in the display also does not spike (or if it does, it too fast for me to catch it with my pinpoint meter).

I use a small ball valve on the output of the maxijet to slow down the injection (head lift of my MaxiJet is about 5' from the bottom of my top off water to the sump).

Now I set this up this winter as I have troubles with CO2 buildup in my house. Being -20 to -30 degrees C right now outside, opening a window is out of the question. I'll have to watch things when summer comes.

My sentiment mostly shows up on my heaters that I find I need to clean once a month.

Now if I could only find a suplier of Magnesium Cloride in Northern Ontario - But thats another story!

 

[saltwatersmac]

Thanks for all the input. Of course when I cut down the Mini-Jet 404 that doesn't reduce the amount it must add to kick the float switch back off. But it does increase the time it is added from about 4 seconds to 20-25 seconds. That may not be enough to make much difference but it makes me feel a little better.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Now if I could only find a suplier of Magnesium Cloride in Northern Ontario - But thats another story!

:lol:

But it does increase the time it is added from about 4 seconds to 20-25 seconds. That may not be enough to make much difference but it makes me feel a little better.

It probably helps a little, as some sweeps away before more comes in.