Kalk Reactors- stir bar vs. pump mixer...

[Ian]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed but I can only go back so many pages before I just start a new thread...

Anyways, can you guys help me decide which one to get by listing the pros and cons of each design?

I know the stir bars are supposed to be more effective at mixing the kalk but they also seem more expensive to replace if there is a problem...

Thanks in advance

 

[Ian]

Really? No one?

 

[luther1200]

I just got a stir bar 1 based on everything I read. But I have not hooked it up yet so I really can't say much about it, except that I would rather have a stir bar. I think the pump mixes it to much and increases the CO2 content and lowers the efficiency of the kalk itself.

 

[Pny]

There is no way any pump could add CO2 into the water inside a closed container...

 

[luther1200]

They aren't air tight. At least none of the ones I have seen are.

 

[cerobbins]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15649845#post15649845 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luther1200
They aren't air tight. At least none of the ones I have seen are.

I don't know which ones you have seen but, I know my geo kalk reactor uses a pump and is air tight. It has not let me down in half a years use. I have never cleaned it either. I have been very happy with the purchase, and I personaly would not by a kalk reactor with a bar since it is so much easier to replace a maxijet when something fails.

 

[Ian]

Have you seen how the stir motor attaches to a kalr reactor?

 

[Pny]

I think the ones with waterpump can be made air tight and the ones with stir motor cant (at best the motor might at be placed in another closed container filled with air).

 

[Rysam]

i ran a diy reactor for 2 years with a MJ1200 to mix it and never had an issue. it wasnt sealed super well (always had 1" of air at the top of the chamber) and the kalk was always fine. my tank was very predictable and only needed slight alk bumps occasionally to keep up. that being said my demand exceeded the kalk reactor and i built a CA reactor instead.
i used MRS wages 100% of the time and was happy.

 

[Ian]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15652451#post15652451 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pny
I think the ones with waterpump can be made air tight and the ones with stir motor cant (at best the motor might at be placed in another closed container filled with air).

The stir bar works on a magnet, similar to a vortech...

 

[luther1200]

I have a GSA reactor that is baically a copy of a Deltec reactor. The stir bar has a machanicl connection to the motor that sits on top of the reactor lid. I haven't taken it apart to see how it actually connects. I didn't mean to imply the ones with pumps are bad, I just prefer my kalk to not be heavily mixed. It does loose some potentecy if you mix it heavily. If you don't believe me ask in the chemistry forum, they can explain it better than I can.

 

[broke1]

I have the Precision Marine which uses an MJ 400. I can say it is extremel airtight and mixes the Kalk very well. The only thing is that it seems to eat an impeller about once a year. I can not explain why, but when I hear it rattling I know it needs a new one.