limewater
- Thread starter supertech99
- Start date
supertech99
New member
nice link, thanks for the article! that guy is smart! I think i should still probally start slowly, i upped my drip time last night to 45 min so i am sure i added close to a 1/4 gallon, all seemed ok when i left for work, if it is still ok i think i may step it up a bit more tonight. Thanks so much for all the help guys! I love MTRC!
poolkeeper1
New member
Using a reactor and dripping slowly are not exactly the same, and will yeild different results IMO. They achieve the same results but In a different way.
MVlk
New member
Mine has been dripping all day and I just read my pH at 8.39. A little high, but if I drip only at night, I have a hard time getting that much in my tank.
I will look into building a new more controllable drip system from a larger container after I get me new pump in. Could I use an Aqua Lifter from a 39 gallon Rubbermaid pail attached to an ATO? How would the pump handle the limewater?
I will look into building a new more controllable drip system from a larger container after I get me new pump in. Could I use an Aqua Lifter from a 39 gallon Rubbermaid pail attached to an ATO? How would the pump handle the limewater?
poolkeeper1
New member
If any gets In the pump It will clog or destroy It. There are way to do It, But the simple drip method to me Is the best way. You may have to Inlarge the hole on your spiket a little to Increase your drip rate a little, I would try that B4 Automation. Simple as It Is I find It the best way to add kalk and I've tried many,At one time the top of my canopy looked like It escaped from a hospital room with all the IV drip gismos I had rigged up to dose kalk.
NeveSSL
Got tubes?
It will destroy an Aqualifter, but not a regular pump if the kalk reactor is designed correctly. 
I agree with Bill that dripping is probably the best method. I don't do it because I don't feel like turning it on and off at night, as sad as that is. :lol: With the ATO, if you want to use an aqualifter, the way I did it and the best way to do it is to have the Aqualifter pull freshwater out of your top of reservoir and push it into the bottom of your kalk reactor. The water will then come out of the top of the reactor nice and saturated. Also, doing it like this the Aqualifter will never have to deal with kalkwasser. It will only be pushing RO/DI water. I've had mine running like this for about a year and a half. The other great thing about the Aqualifters is that they won't back siphon, either.
I have a Mag 2 to mix my kalk up for one minute every 3 hours to keep everything mixed up... easy as pie. Not quite as consistent as a drip, but less maintenance and almost fully automated. The only thing I have to do is replace the kalk once every 2 months or so.
Not everyone has a nice tank room behind their tank like Bill... but you do, Michael, so maybe the kalk drip won't matter as much.
Brandon
I agree with Bill that dripping is probably the best method. I don't do it because I don't feel like turning it on and off at night, as sad as that is. :lol: With the ATO, if you want to use an aqualifter, the way I did it and the best way to do it is to have the Aqualifter pull freshwater out of your top of reservoir and push it into the bottom of your kalk reactor. The water will then come out of the top of the reactor nice and saturated.
Also, doing it like this the Aqualifter will never have to deal with kalkwasser. It will only be pushing RO/DI water. I've had mine running like this for about a year and a half. The other great thing about the Aqualifters is that they won't back siphon, either. I have a Mag 2 to mix my kalk up for one minute every 3 hours to keep everything mixed up... easy as pie. Not quite as consistent as a drip, but less maintenance and almost fully automated. The only thing I have to do is replace the kalk once every 2 months or so.
Not everyone has a nice tank room behind their tank like Bill... but you do, Michael, so maybe the kalk drip won't matter as much.
Brandon
sandalscout
New member
Are any of you running a kalk reactor for topoff and running 2 part as well? I can't see it being too much calcium, but I'm not sure what else it might mess up. Is it too much when the two are combined?
poolkeeper1
New member
I currently run 2 Ca reactors and drip 2-4 gal of saturated kalk every night. The reason for two Is the total # of gal exceeded my Ca reactor capabilities so ran a second in line. Until I can buy one rated for a larger system this Is working OK.
waynesworld
Premium Member
Michael have you looked into 2 part vs a reactor? It is really easy and simple to use you can drip it just like you are talking to drip Kalk.
MVlk
New member
Wayne, I have done preliminary reading and discussed with Bill/Andy. Will probably go to two part once everything is settled down and I am ready to try my hand at LPS/SPS. I'd like to see things running smoothly for a few months before I do that. That means stable parameters, no major plumbing projects and good skimmer operation. Although my tank is doing well and my parameters have been great, the other two criteria are not yet met.
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