Kalkwasser Reactor

[carb850]

I don't plan on using my Kalk reactor until I begin testing my Calcium and Alk levels. Once I do bring it online, I will be running it inline with my ATO. Currently I only have a couple of coral frags and I get a decent amount of evaporation. I fear I could overdose my tank, so I will certainly keep a close eye on Calcium, Alk, and pH in the beginning.

If I am getting too much can I just use less Kalk in the reactor? Will this lower the concentration of Kalk or will it be the same potency but just need refilled more frequently?

 

[Orr2003]

Saturated limewater contains about 808 ppm of calcium and 40.8 meq/l of alkalinity.
So yes, you can add less Kalk and have a lower % of each.

 

[rsuplido]

Do you use a controller? What I do on mine is if pH is below 8.3, I top-off from the Kalk reactor, if above, from the RO container.

 

[carb850]

I do have a controller. To do it your way, would you have to be running two seperate ATO's?

 

[rsuplido]

Which controller do you have? I use a Neptune AC3 and I can program it to turn on which pump, based on the pH, when the float valve indicates that the water is low.

 

[carb850]

I have an ACjr. So you do use two seperate pumps to be able to alternate the water source. I probably cannot do that as I'm going to be using an Tunze Osmolator.

 

[rsuplido]

The ac3 jr would work. You need to connect a float switch to the expansion module though. I run two cheap aqualifter pumps. I have the ac3 program, if you decide to go via the ac3.

 

[carb850]

I can surely see the benefits of hooking it up that way, but since I already have an Osmolator I will be using it. I might just start with a smaller amount of Kalk in the reactor just to watch my pH, Calcium, and Alk levels.