kalkwasser with osmolator

[Dag]

I want to add a calcium dispenser (kalkwasser) to my existing automatic top off. I am currently using the Osmolator. My automatic top off reservoir (16g) is located beneath the sump. What accessory can I add and what is the ideal location for that accessory?

 

[rvitko]

We offer the Calcium Dispenser 5074. For the purposes of a 200gal aquarium it will likely not do much more than help with residual CO2 and pH buffering. It will add some calcium but not a substantial amount. Kalk in general is a weak form of calcium so I would say to not expect a whole lot but it is a nice adjunct to a Calcium reactor. You might PM moonpod as I think he is using the Osmolator with a MRC Kalkwasser reactor.

 

[Dag]

yes, I have a Korallin calcium reactor and I want to dose Kalk to raise PH.

Where does the calcium dispenser get located relative to my automatic top off system? Again, my reservoir is beneath the sump.
:fish2:

 

[traveller7]

My 5074 Calcium Dispenser is hanging inside my top off container. It was delivered with a bracket system that should allow it to hang inside your top off container below your sump.

Not sure what size your tank is or how much evaporation you get but the 5074 has been perfect over the last few weeks on my 75gal which also has the 3174/3 Calcium Reactor.

Good luck.

 

[rvitko]

It splices inline and is designed to sit in the reservoir. Due to the caustic nature of kalkwasser it is not reaonable to expct that a seal will never fail or the plastics could not become brittle so it should be placed inside the reservoir.

 

[Dag]

It splices inline and is designed to sit in the reservoir.

Does the water in the reservoir stay fresh, and the limewater stays in the dispenser (assuming no leaks)?


The unit sold by Marine Depot for $81.97 seems to include a "reactor." If I already have a calcium reactor, do I still need that reactor?

The dispenser looks like a tall clear cylinder. does the kalk powder sit on the bottom of that?

I'm sorry, I'm just not readily getting the concept. what is the advantage to the dispenser? I was hoping that rather than directly adding kalk powder to my automatic top off reservoir (which would then leave me without fresh water), the dispenser would act as my limewater reservoir (keeping my top off reservoir fresh).

 

[rvitko]

It is a sealed vessicle which reacts the kalk and water. The water in the reservoir should not have kalk in it if everything is set up right. Rather freshwater is pumped in and it mixes with the powder and carries onto the aquarium as a solution. It uses the flow of the osmolator pump to mix the kalkwasser. The Calcium Dispenser is in the simplest sense a very simplified reactor with no mixer or motor of its own. All top off water will go through the dispenser when the pump comes on and we basically figure on the user adding 3-4 teaspoons for every fill of a 7 gallon reservoir. Basically for every seven gallons used you need to replenish the reactor with 3-4 more teaspoons of powder.

 

[Dag]

The dispenser could, however, be placed outside the reservoir, right? I guess I'd like to know when it's leaking. My sump and top off reservoir are in the basement, so a small leak would not cause any material damage.

 

[traveller7]

Depending on the amount of aeration you'll need to "check it" when adding calcium hydroxide every 7 to 14 days.

In my case the bracket seems to hold the dispenser just fine regardless of water level in the reservoir. In addition, you would likely notice there is a leak because the water level in the dispenser will drop instead of remaining filled to the top.

 

[rvitko]

It is supposed to be used inside the reservoir. I really cannot recommend any other method of installation. It is really very simple, a leak would be unlikely but Kalk makes the hoses brittle, damages O rings. If it leaked inside the reservoir it would be of really no consequence except the kalk would be exposed to the atmosphere and form precipitate. Also the pump would be exposed which is not the best but it would take a few months exposure to ruin the pump. I think it is best you download the manual. At www.tunze.com type in 5074 under search. It is really far more simple than you seem to be making it out to be.

 

[Dag]

traveller7, it sounds like yours is mounted outside the reservoir, correct?

Also, how do you aerate it?

and, finally, it sounds like the dispenser should be level with the reservoir?

oh, yeah, one more thing. are you happy with this unit and do you recommend it?

 

[traveller7]

Dag,

Mine is mounted inside a 7gal Tunze Reservoir (Bucket), connected to a 3155 Osmolator. With this setup I am actually hanging the bracket over the side of the bucket and have the 5074 Dispenser touching the bottom of the bucket. As soon as I get everything under the stand placed, I will be drilling a hole through the reservoir to permanently mount the bracket.

The 5074 Dispenser does not seem to be negatively impacted by reservoir water level as long as the pump that came with the Osmolator is set at the proper voltage for the tank top off height. As Roger indicated, the water level in the tank drops, the 3155 turns on the pump, the pump flow stirs the calcium hydroxide, and forces the higher pH mixed water up to the tank/sump. 7-14 days later, add more calcium hydroxide to the 5074.

I am not aerating my top off water, but I am adding about 1/2gallon back to the reservoir every morning.

I am very happy with the 3155 and 5074 combination. Simple, rugged, and seemingly fool proof.

fwiw: This tank holds approx 70gal and is not connected to my mainsystems. Equipment consists of the Reef Pack 500 (3155, 3130/2, 3166, 1600/2), 3174/3 Calcium Reactor, 5074 Dispenser, 7074 CO2 Controller.

 

[Dag]

thanks, traveller7. Do you see any downside to mounting the dispenser outside of the top off reservoir?

 

[traveller7]

Dag,

Readily apparent downsides of external deployment would be the inevitable knocking off of hoses, knocking the dispenser off the bracket, spilling calcium hydroxide powder when adding it to the dispenser, and loss of space, all which would cover the area with a caustic substance.

Hanging the system internally is definitely the way to go since leakage into the reservoir is not a big deal. The bracket allows the 5074 to be easily removed and refilled if your system requires full removal. In mine I just remove the cap and spoon in replacement calcium hydroxide.

Good luck and I have not found a more convenient and effective alternative to the 5074 on a proper sized tank.

Scott

 

[Dag]

Readily apparent downsides of external deployment would be the inevitable knocking off of hoses

this is the only one that concerns me because then the sensor in the sump would not get satisfied, and my entire top off reservoir (12g) would get emptied on the basement floor. I wonder how inevitable this is, or whether there might not be some secure clamps or i could glue it on.

Hanging the system internally is definitely the way to go since leakage into the reservoir is not a big deal

except that my goal is to maintain a reservoir of fresh water and it would contaminate that reservoir.

proper sized tank

my tank is a 200 g and another 100g for sump and fuge.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Dag]

I went ahead and added the calcium dispenser. It seems to be working fine.

I read something, however, that says the kalkwasser should not be left out for more than a day because the carbon dixoxide in the air might cause a snowstorm. I guess that's not an issue with this device because the dispenser is sealed?

 

[rvitko]

Yes, because the vessicle is sealed you form some precipitate but not as much as an open container would form.