Kalk Reactor ?

[DaveJ]

I have had a reactor setup and running as part of my top off for awhile now. I recharge it every month or so with a cup or two of mrs wages. Obviously the kalk is going into solution and also getting some of the powder into the water column as it disappears someplace.

My question is long term use of kalk in this manner, has anyone had any negative side effects?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Not sure what you mean by "this manner", but many folks use limewater reactors just fine.

The limitations are that it is hard to control the potency, sometimes you deliver solids (which is less than optimal, IMO, due to potential impurities and the possibility of undissolved solids landing on delicate organisms), and the fact that it is not easy to use vinegar with a reactor if you choose to use vinegar (I don't).

I discuss limewater and dosing options here:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

 

[DaveJ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12014562#post12014562 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
Not sure what you mean by "this manner", but many folks use limewater reactors just fine.

The limitations are that it is hard to control the potency, sometimes you deliver solids (which is less than optimal, IMO, due to potential impurities and the possibility of undissolved solids landing on delicate organisms), and the fact that it is not easy to use vinegar with a reactor if you choose to use vinegar (I don't).

I discuss limewater and dosing options here:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

What I was referring to on the "Manner'" was via reactor, with the solids and and such that obviously go into the column. My concern is with those particles and any impurities...

Do you empty and rinse or just top off the lime when you recharge?

 

[GreshamH]

I dump out my old and then recharge. I finely tune my magnetic stir plate with a cycle timer relay as so very little solids leave the reactor. Once the spinning mass gets 3" from the top of mine the magnetic mixer stops. It will get within 1" or so of the top, but never all the way up.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Delivering the solids is not optimal, and is a drawback of most reactor designs as some delivery of the particles is almost impossible to prevent without careful control such as that mentioned above.