Kalkwasser and ATO

[D_Rock]

Hello!

I recently started to treat my tank with Kalkwasser by applying small doses to my ATO. Since my evaporation is out of this world I rely on this system heavily.

Recently I noticed my ATO pump clogging due to the Kalkwasser. I do not have the pump touching the bottom of the bucket but still am running into this.

Has anyone encountered this or have any suggestions?

Thank you

 

[nereefpat]

What kind of pump? Most pumps can't handle full strength kalk.

 

[D_Rock]

Its the stock pump that came with the Tunze Auto top off system.

 

[TokiHacker]

Its the stock pump that came with the Tunze Auto top off system.

Yeah... that probably will cause some problems. I use a magdrive (The old ones) and it seems to be invincible. It has been going and still going now for 5-6 years.

 

[hkgar]

You might consider using a Kalk reactor rather than adding to the ATO storage. I add 1 tsp/gallon to my 24 gallon brute with no problems, but I use a Cole Parmer Masterflex and pump out through a bottom bulkhead into 1/4 tubing.

 

[D_Rock]

hkgar, thank you for the info. Im newish to the hobby. Could you break this down a bit further for me? Im not familiar with a kalk reactor or how to add that to my current flow.

 

[hkgar]

Here you go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYxrlv0r8hs

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/aquamedic-kalkstirrer-demo-video/

 

[Mark Bianco]

Tunze approved

https://www.amazon.com/Tunze-USA-5074-000-Dispenser-Osmolator/dp/B000N10MSQ

 

[D_Rock]

WOW! Mind Blown! Thank you for all the info. I have some research to do now.

 

[bearpeidog]

I actually went to a kalk stirrer. No pumps. I have it plumbed to a liter meter and set the amount I want dosed in 24 hours. I then let the ATO do its thing as it needs to. It seems very stable throughout the day using this method. I realize this doesn’t answer your question but in this setup, there is no pump in the kalwasser - just the LM3 pushing in RO water.

 

[scuzy]

Kalk reactor is a good way to add kalkwasser you just pump the top off water into it.


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[italquam]

Does anyone ever experience a overdose of Kalk and run into a tank crash??

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[scuzy]

There's plenty of those stories. You just got to have a controller and other failsafe setup. Cut out due to pH or mechanical float.


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[italquam]

There's plenty of those stories. You just got to have a controller and other failsafe setup. Cut out due to pH or mechanical float.


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How do you create the fail safe ? I use a Tunze ATO and I am thinking about getting Kalk reactor ......how would i set it up to prevent an overdose??

 

[scuzy]

How do you create the fail safe ? I use a Tunze ATO and I am thinking about getting Kalk reactor ......how would i set it up to prevent an overdose??

Using a mechanical float on the output so it cannot ATO over a limit is one. Having your controller monitoring pH and shutting off ATO pump or a solenoid is another.


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[italquam]

Using a mechanical float on the output so it cannot ATO over a limit is one. Having your controller monitoring pH and shutting off ATO pump or a solenoid is another.


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So is that something I could program into an apex using a float switch or ph Alert through apex

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[AlSimmons]

Does anyone ever experience a overdose of Kalk and run into a tank crash??

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I've never had a crash due to this, but the ATO has overdosed the tank 2 or 3 times over the years without any problems. This was all my fault though. I just forgot to unplug the ATO when I was doing a water change. The tank looked like milk for 6-8 hours or so and then it slowly cleared up. The link below might help.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm

 

[italquam]

I've never had a crash due to this, but the ATO has overdosed the tank 2 or 3 times over the years without any problems. This was all my fault though. I just forgot to unplug the ATO when I was doing a water change. The tank looked like milk for 6-8 hours or so and then it slowly cleared up. The link below might help.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm

Are you using a Kalk reactor? Do you have any pictures of your setup using Kalk??

 

[scuzy]

So is that something I could program into an apex using a float switch or ph Alert through apex

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Use something like this in the out put line

So your water in sump can never rise above it. If it does it closes the ATO line.

Then program apex to check if pH > 8.3 then turn off the ATO pump if you are doing from ATO. This is assuming it's done through ATO.


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[italquam]

I use the Tunze ATO as of now but not in conjunction with my Apex....not sure if Tunze ATO can be used with Energy bar so i might be better off with a float valve