macawmagic
In Memoriam
yea i don't know much about them either...other than most of the people with awesome tanks have one. LOL. seems cheap and looks nice.
Kalk reactor?
- Thread starter Ding2daDong
- Start date
macawmagic
In Memoriam
since matt and I are in the same boat...
so the best bet would be to get a kalk reactor...dose something to raise the alk...and then as soon as we could afford it, buy a calcium reactor and have them both running?
once having both of these all that would need to happen is water changes? or would dosing still be needed?
so the best bet would be to get a kalk reactor...dose something to raise the alk...and then as soon as we could afford it, buy a calcium reactor and have them both running?
once having both of these all that would need to happen is water changes? or would dosing still be needed?
Ding2daDong
New member
After doing more research I think I may go the calcium reactor route but am not sure yet. I don't know the ins and outs of what makes a calcium reactor better then another which I have yet to find the answer.
I do know the basics of how it works after a quick google search.
Still not sure which one because I know people that run calcium reactors with great results and I know people that run Kalk reactors only with great results.
Thanks
-Matthew
macawmagic
In Memoriam
remember that acrylic thing in my garage. I'm going to plumb that up and turn it into a kalk reactor. run it inline between my rodi reservior and the float valve in the sump. Ill still have to dose a little something to keep the alk up, (i believe) but will start saving up for a calcium reactor.
Rogger Castells
New member
Let me know if you need any help building the reactor.
gasman059
The OG mad scientist
Ding2daDong
New member
Re: Here ya go!
Re: Here ya go!
Thanks for the link, I saved it on my favorites.
I still don't know what makes "A" calcium reactor better than "B"?
I know a deltec calcium reactor is better then a coralife calcium reactor but I don't know why?
Thanks
-Matthew
I still don't know why kalk reactors will not keep Alk up because I know plenty of people that run kalk reactors or kalk auto top off and are very successful, including some LFS's!
Re: Here ya go!
Thanks for the link, I saved it on my favorites.
I still don't know what makes "A" calcium reactor better than "B"?
I know a deltec calcium reactor is better then a coralife calcium reactor but I don't know why?
Thanks
-Matthew
I still don't know why kalk reactors will not keep Alk up because I know plenty of people that run kalk reactors or kalk auto top off and are very successful, including some LFS's!
A.T.T.R
Active member
kalk will keep alk up unless you over dose. i run just kalk on my tank and use kalk all the time at work.
kalk WILL bring everything into balance.
still use the two part to add in other things ( remember good two part is more hten ca and alk it contains mag as well and some 30 other elements. this is why i dont like "randys solution" i like good ol bionic.
if you use kalk you will greatly reduce the amount needed of the bionic
kalk WILL bring everything into balance.
still use the two part to add in other things ( remember good two part is more hten ca and alk it contains mag as well and some 30 other elements. this is why i dont like "randys solution" i like good ol bionic.
if you use kalk you will greatly reduce the amount needed of the bionic
Ding2daDong
New member
Okay well I am probably going to get the kalk reactor.
I am not sure if I should get the GEO or Reef Tek.
Thanks
-Matthew
I am not sure if I should get the GEO or Reef Tek.
Thanks
-Matthew
Having better calcium reactors basically give you more consistent dosing of the calcium, are less likely to turn the media to mush, are able to be driven harder than cheap ones because they've got reverse flow, are made from quality parts, etc and etc.
Look for reverse flow and a good brand name. The #1 and #2 reactors on the market in my opinion and what I've gathered from people on the boards and in real life are the Deltecs and the GEO reactors for price to performance. Deltec is really close as far as performance to the GEO, but like anything Deltec, you pay a premium for that tiny little bit better.
I got a good deal on the deltec so I went for it and havn't looked back. You know I'm not home 6-8 months a year since I'm at school, and my deltec has been running consistent, and I was very VERY happily suprised to find my dkh at 9 and calcium at 420 when I got home from school a few weeks ago, after being away for a month.
2 part was a PITA, and kalk can only keep up so much. Best is Kalk and a Calcium reactor together if you can afford it or have the space/tools for it.
Look for reverse flow and a good brand name. The #1 and #2 reactors on the market in my opinion and what I've gathered from people on the boards and in real life are the Deltecs and the GEO reactors for price to performance. Deltec is really close as far as performance to the GEO, but like anything Deltec, you pay a premium for that tiny little bit better.
I got a good deal on the deltec so I went for it and havn't looked back. You know I'm not home 6-8 months a year since I'm at school, and my deltec has been running consistent, and I was very VERY happily suprised to find my dkh at 9 and calcium at 420 when I got home from school a few weeks ago, after being away for a month.
2 part was a PITA, and kalk can only keep up so much. Best is Kalk and a Calcium reactor together if you can afford it or have the space/tools for it.
Ding2daDong
New member
Just this quote is making me think of going with a calcium reactor. How much and what type of deltec did you buy?
Thanks
-Matthew
A.T.T.R
Active member
kalk reactor = auto top off pump and a sealed contianer for water to flow in and then back out of throu two seperate air tight holes.. an old salt bucket with o ring ( see instant ocean salt) and two airline bulkheads ( can be found at hobby shop as fuel bulkheads) work great or any size bulk head. but i recomend moving water slow so id use an aqualifter to pump
simply add kalkwasser to the bucket and you are done.
there is no real need to use a mixing pump.
i use a geo reactor and the impelelr broke a while back ... iv never replaced it cause it isnt needed
i have mine hooked directly to my ro system.. ( btw it is important to point out NEVER let pressure build in kalk reactors. i stupidly put my solonoid after my reactor and my reactor leaked. ( and its a geo) always shut off BEFORE the reactor ! ( you can still have a mechanical float as a back up. ( this only applys to pressure systems gravity feed it is fine to use a mechanical float or shut off after reactor)
simply add kalkwasser to the bucket and you are done.
there is no real need to use a mixing pump.
i use a geo reactor and the impelelr broke a while back ... iv never replaced it cause it isnt needed
i have mine hooked directly to my ro system.. ( btw it is important to point out NEVER let pressure build in kalk reactors. i stupidly put my solonoid after my reactor and my reactor leaked. ( and its a geo) always shut off BEFORE the reactor ! ( you can still have a mechanical float as a back up. ( this only applys to pressure systems gravity feed it is fine to use a mechanical float or shut off after reactor)
I bought a deltec 501 full package, had EVERYTHING except a pH controller (it came with pH monitor), all about a year old. Came with 2 10lb CO2 tanks, regulator, pH probe, monitor, pump, feed pump, feed tubing, 20lbs I think of rowalith reactor media, instructions with his written instructions on how to get it running.... that's about it.. it was $550 + paypal fees and shipping and stuff (it was 3 boxes to ship, really heavy).
But believe me, I'll never have to do 2 part again, I'll never have to worry whether my family was dosing or not, I'll never have to worry about unbalanced dosing, etc. (I know that your calc and alk can get off, but they're generally pretty stable with a CA reactor).
I remember the days of having to spend $50 a month on 2 part. Now the reactor will be paid off in about a year, probably year and a half with extra supplies like media and CO2 fills and stuff, but it'll be consistent and require only the least bit of maintenence and checking. Also my corals grew like CRAZY while I was gone, and the front and side glass was ALMOST covered with pink coralline, which I've never even seen happen before. I had to go at it with the razor.
But believe me, I'll never have to do 2 part again, I'll never have to worry whether my family was dosing or not, I'll never have to worry about unbalanced dosing, etc. (I know that your calc and alk can get off, but they're generally pretty stable with a CA reactor).
I remember the days of having to spend $50 a month on 2 part. Now the reactor will be paid off in about a year, probably year and a half with extra supplies like media and CO2 fills and stuff, but it'll be consistent and require only the least bit of maintenence and checking. Also my corals grew like CRAZY while I was gone, and the front and side glass was ALMOST covered with pink coralline, which I've never even seen happen before. I had to go at it with the razor.
Ding2daDong
New member
Are you sure you are not a calcium reactor salesmen? lol I think what you have said has convinced me to drop the money and get a calcium reactor.
So with that does anyone have a calcium reactor for sale locally or co2 tanks/parts. I am keeping my eyes open on the "for sale" section for an all in one package but may end up getting the reactor new and hopefully someone has the tank or some parts locally.
Thanks again
-Matthew
Heh I swear I don't sell calcium reactors. But you can see why I went for one. I'm sure there are plenty of people who will say that I'm wrong and that it makes life more difficult and isn't as good as 2 part, etc etc etc, but w/e, it worked for me. When I'm down later next month I'll give you a call and you can come by and check it out and I'll show you how they work and stuff.
You've always got to be asking around when you go see people's tanks what their equipment is. That's how I came to the Deltec and GEO reactors. Rogger had the bigger Deltec, Manny and Steve had the GEO, and online a lot of people were very happy with both, so I figured I'd try it.
Anyways, lemme know your progress and stuff, and I'll try to help best I can.
You've always got to be asking around when you go see people's tanks what their equipment is. That's how I came to the Deltec and GEO reactors. Rogger had the bigger Deltec, Manny and Steve had the GEO, and online a lot of people were very happy with both, so I figured I'd try it.
Anyways, lemme know your progress and stuff, and I'll try to help best I can.
gasman059
The OG mad scientist
Matt there;s plenty of ways to skin a cat.
I dosed two part for many years then I tried a knop reactor back when when was when. I parted ways with it b/c it was simply to poainful to dial in and my understanding of the matter was vague(still is).
In fact I dosed two part when I satrted this tank but as my sps colection grew and the requirements with it there's just no way I was going to be able to take care of the tank w/o it.
There's in my mind 3 top nocth products out there to look at, in no particualr order: GEO-DELTEC-MTC PROCAL(minical in your case I believe).
The reason why this reactors are top notch is mainly built and ease of maintenace and customer service as well as some say output( in which deltec seems to be ahead of the rest). but then again plenty of great products out there. U can get your hands on a korallin package for 2-300 all.
U are welcome to come by and we will look at mine and I'll show features that make it easy to deal with.
I dosed two part for many years then I tried a knop reactor back when when was when. I parted ways with it b/c it was simply to poainful to dial in and my understanding of the matter was vague(still is).
In fact I dosed two part when I satrted this tank but as my sps colection grew and the requirements with it there's just no way I was going to be able to take care of the tank w/o it.
There's in my mind 3 top nocth products out there to look at, in no particualr order: GEO-DELTEC-MTC PROCAL(minical in your case I believe).
The reason why this reactors are top notch is mainly built and ease of maintenace and customer service as well as some say output( in which deltec seems to be ahead of the rest). but then again plenty of great products out there. U can get your hands on a korallin package for 2-300 all.
U are welcome to come by and we will look at mine and I'll show features that make it easy to deal with.
If you can have only one, get a Knop type reactor. You'll hit the wall with a Nilsen soon enough (I can't even meet the demand of the coraline in my tank with just limewater.) The Knop reactor delivers the most Ca/KH for the least amount of work and ongoing cost. It just has high upfront costs, but people sell them all the time and they are simple enough to build. Lots of different ones to choose from too. You really don't need a pH controller, so that lowers the cost.
jdieck
New member
Kalk is a relatively easy and cost effective way of supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity and within it's range of capability there is no reason why it could not be the only means of alkalinity and calcium addition. It adds both in the same ratio as they are consumed in the tank of 20 ppm of calcium and 1 meq/lt of alkalinity.
Although Limewater addition is a fine way to supplement to maintain the levels it is not recommended for adjustments (increases) of the levels. The reasons are:
a) The amount necessary to make an increase will shoot PH too high which may promote a precipitation event
b) Adjustments can not be made independently for Calcium or Alkalinity. If trying to adjust only one, the other will overshoot the level.
Finally, and here is were most people may have the impression that Kalk addition is not effective is that there is a limit to the maximum amount of calcium and alkalinity that can be supplemented and it is limited by the amount of daily evaporation in the tank. See chart below for the relationship between daily evaporation and maximum potential addition. The higher the evaporation rate the more consumption can be supplemented.
If the consumption exceeds the maximum amount limited by the evaporation then it is true, a a complementary form of supplementation will be required that could be a two part addition or a calcium reactor.
Some key things I would recommend to get the best out of the system is as follows:
a) When dosing is automated do not use a powerhead but rather a doser pump whose flow can be adjusted. There are two benefits to this. First it will prevent large bursts of addition which will increase the PH locally to the point of creating precipitation which then negates the amount being added as it will precipitate out of the solution. Second, a good adjustable doser pump will make the use of float switches and float valves unnecessary. I use a Liter meter and it can be adjusted to replace the evaporation spreading the addition over 24 hours. If you have a reasonable alkalinity consumption but feel Kalk does not maintain alkalinity then insure that your setup does not operate in a way to increase the PH in more Than 0.2 in every batch and not more than 8.3 to 8.4 overall.
b) If you use a top off system, insure it has a back up and that the floats are firmly secured. I favor the dual float switches as I can control the points at which the system starts and stop (those control the amount added in each batch.
c) Use a float valve incase the switches fail the valve will shut off the addition
d) I usually do not recommend tying the reactor to an RO/DI system. Pressure is a lot higher and water source is unlimited with the subsequent potential for leaks thru and flooding.
e) If your consumption seems to exceed the addition you can try increasing evaporation by insuring open top in tank and sump an using fan blowing air over the water surface.
Here is the chart outlining how much alkalinity can be added as a function of your evaporation rate.
Enjoy!
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