Looking for Cheap lime(kalk) and a good DIY for Kalk Reactor

[slavearm]

Hey guys!

I missed all the GBs for lime, so.... anyone know where to buy cheap?



Also... I need some opinions for a good DIY reactor. I have some ideas, but want to see what other people had in mind. I am thinking about using 6" diameter acrylic tubing, sealing both ends, and using a mag 2/3 to stir it for 5 minutes every hour. Also when setting this up I had a couple questions.

Typically, you drip kalk pretty slowly... do you clamp down your nightly topoff if it is automated to slow the flow into the aquarium, or is the concentration in the reactor not as high as if you were using a nightly mix your own drip?

Thanks,

Shane

 

[GTR]

I use a five gallon bucket with a hole drilled in the side and a MPT x 1/2" barb fitting. The timer I have is electronic and I set it to run one min. four times per day to mix the limewater with a real small powerhead. A LiterMeter III pumps about 8g per RO/DI into the bucket which overflows into the sump.
It runs 365-24/7 this way. This is separate from top off so I don't need to recalculate demand when evaporation rate changes.

As for cheap lime... just order online, Mrs Wages.
http://store.yahoo.com/mrswages/w502-h7425.html

I've seen cheaper but this is a good price compared to the LFS. I don't think it's as pure but don't think it matters either.

SteveU

 

[loc01]

Here is my diy kalk. reactor 24" tall. I always have at least 5" clear water on the top even when the pump is on.

Loc

 

[slavearm]

I started going the math on a DIY reactor (not the cool bucket one though...) and I figured with materials, pump and plumbing... it would only run me about $50 more to get the reeftek... that I know works well.


Thanks for the link for the lime! Food grade lime can't be that inpure meh! Someone was telling me to use the calcium hydroxide from the local pool store, but I can't figure out where the 20+% inert ingredients were... so that looks like a great option.


NICE DIY you did there! (both the bucket and the acryllic tower of power).

Thanks,

Shane