Kalk ?

[Sparky0028]

Not sure if this is the correct place but considering most sps tanks have kalk reactors I figured why not ask the experts.
How often should I empty and clean out the reactor and add fresh kalk. I add 3-4 tbs of kalk weekly but not sure if I need to remove the exhausted media.

Thanks
Rich

 

[Ben]

I refill mine when the reactor doesnt look white anymore during a mixing period. If you let is go you should have 100% of the kalk out of the reactor and no left over stuff in the reactor, if you do it is probably from impurities in the kalk.

 

[Ben]

Also FWIW I use 1 full cup of kalk per fill in my reactor, it's a geo reactor.

 

[kevensquint]

After 3 months I now think it time to give mine a vinagar bath, just see when you have some white impurities settled at the bottom and then clean it out.

 

[Sparky0028]

Thanks for the help.
I guess its time to clean, I can see some white impurities at the bottom.
Ben, how often do you refill and what is your top off rate?

Thanks again.
Rich

 

[Ben]

I think a 1-2 gal a day on my 58 gal tank. I dose witha spectrapure liter meter through my geo reactor so I dont watch my rate too much.

I refill it once every 2-3 weeks. I buy big things of kalk but you can also use Mrs. Wages if you prefer to make it cheaper. The more you run your mixing pump the more kalk you will go through.

 

[ReeferMac]

LOL! The last time I emptied my Neilsen Rxr was when I replaced it! :lol:

- Mac

 

[Sparky0028]

ReeferMac
So you don't think I neeed to empty the reactor out occasionaly and start fresh.

Rich

 

[shelburn61]

Re: Kalk ?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6574071#post6574071 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sparky0028
I add 3-4 tbs of kalk weekly but not sure if I need to remove the exhausted media.

You're working too hard. Dump a few cups in and relax for a few weeks. If you let the level get really low all you have left is precipitated calcium carbonate and other impurities on the bottom, but it shouldn't be much of a problem unless you have a really strong stirrer.

 

[ReeferMac]

Hi Sparky, what Shelburn said.
The white gunk you're left over with, if using a high quality product, is simply precipitate - harmless limestone powder. Even if you do dose it, it's not an 'issue'. It generally won't affect the performance either, as it's insoluble, so you'll still get full-strength kalkwasser w/ every mix.
It certainly I don't think will _hurt_ to keep the thing clean, but.... Neccessary is debatable, at best. Just be sure you're using a quality kalkwasser mix. In fact, that's a good litmus test of the product you're using. Rather than deal w/ a rash of newbies that'll start flogging me for naysaying against Pickling lime, the only time I ever found a discolored sludge in the bottom of my Rxr was when I briefly lost my marbles and switched away from ESV's kalkwasser powder.

- Mac

 

[Ben]

I use TLF, but did find left over stuff at the bottom when my wife bought me RowaKalk. When premiumaquatics had the 4lbs buckets on sale for 12$ of TLF Kalk I stocked up.

ESV's kalk is a good cheap kalk as well.