KalkReactor users: when to refill chamber?

[liquidlunch]

I started out with 4" of kalk and now I'm down to 2". When do you guys refill the chamber?

 

[liquidlunch]

>:::;>

 

[JustOneMoreTank]

What kind of Kalk reactor do you have? Is it a DIY model? RODI water that has been saturated with kalk should have a pH of around 10.5 - 12.0 I think. Someone might have to help me there. Do you have a pH probe in the sump? If you do you can collect some of the solution leaving the Kalk reactor and test its pH. If it is really high then you do not need to add more Kalk yet. If the pH is getting lower like around 9 or less then you need to add more Kalk powder.
I hope that this helps.

 

[dhoch]

JustOneMoreTank has it basically correct.

You want a target pH of your kalk reactor effluant of 12.0... if it's dipping below that it's time to replace the kalk...

I typically have found about every couple of weeks (2-3) is how often I change it.

Dave

 

[liquidlunch]

I have this guy:
http://precisionmarine.com/html/kalkreactor.html

It is hooked into my auto topoff system w/ a failsafe(2nd float)
I do have a Pinpoint pH probe in my sump which has been reading low lately(8.0-8.15) instead of 8.20-8.35 when there was more kalk in the chamber. I guess it couldn't hurt to toss some in tonight and see what the pH reads. I was just wondering if anyone had a routine for knowing when to add more powder. ex.
1"left, 2"left,etc
Do you add to what's left or remove the remaining amount and add a 100% new batch?
thanks

 

[dhoch]

Don't do it based on what's left... Much of whats left will never disolve...

To get an accurante sense you really need to measure the effluant.

As to what I do I add a 100% new batch (because the waste of whats left you DON'T want to add to your tank).

Dave

 

[liquidlunch]

I'm new at kalkreactors as you can tell. Let me see if I understand this. If I mix up a new batch which translates to 4" of slurry settled at the bottom chamber, an inch of that will most likey not be used?

 

[dhoch]

I will say it again... I would not base it on the ammount, but it will be signifigant (the stuff is so cheap why worry about it).

Dave

 

[Hal]

Ok, we can all agree that a pH test is probably the best way to determine this. However, I think liquidlunch is looking for a little more general guidance. Can someone provide a "rule of thumb" using amount of material remaining?

 

[liquidlunch]

It tested at 12.35 pH last night with an 1" left in the chamber. This is virgin territory for me and I guess I'll see how it plays out when there's a 1/2" left or if the effluant decides to dip sooner than that. thanks for the responses.

 

[JD52]

I dont monitor effluent Ph, I monitor tank Ph, when the tank Ph begins to drop, especialy in the AM, I know its time to recharge, I never worry about how much kalk is still in the reactor, I just add more when the Ph begins to fall. I clean the reactor about every four moths.