My diy kalk reactor.
- Thread starter coryjac0b
- Start date
Heart & Sole
New member
looks good, how much did it cost you to build it?
bassetbros
Member
I have a quiet one 1200 on my reactor. I drilled and tapped mine for 1/2" PVC fittings. The input/output of the pump will thread onto 1/2" unions.
One Dumm Hikk
In Memoriam
Paul, do you have a build thread on your reactor? I have a lot of questions about it and a build thread would probably answer most, if not all, of them.
d0ughb0y
Active member
could a via aqua acro-cal calcium reactor be used as a kalk reactor? there is already a built in pump that will circulate the water inside that can be hooked up to a timer, and there are 1/4" connections for input water, output kalk mix (effluent out), and even and air relief valve, there just won't be any connection to the CO2 input. all for about $50. the size is small, but probably should be good for tanks to 75gal (and I think they sell a larger model as well). would there be any reason why this won't work?
One Dumm Hikk
In Memoriam
Not really doughboy but Kalk Reactors are fairly cheap to build. You can build one with a simple timer in an ATO container. Simply put a powerhead in your ATO on a timer. Add Kalk. Instant Kalk Reactor.
d0ughb0y
Active member
Randy,
I don't think that is the same, unless your ATO container is air tight. The whole idea of a kalk reactor is air tightness (no CO2 to deteriorate the kalk mixture), and the undissolved kalk powder will slowly get used up as new water is pumped in to the reactor. kalk mixture exposed to air is only good for a week, maybe two. I currently use a 2 liter soda bottle filled to the top as a kalk reactor, sans mixing pump (similar to tunze osmolator calcium dispenser ), the diys I see usually costs >$50 already, that is why I thought using the acro-cal might be better (if it will work). Based on my understanding of the theory and principle of kalk reactors, the acro-cal looks like it can do the job, in theory. I need more than a "not really" reason for why it will not work.
I don't think that is the same, unless your ATO container is air tight. The whole idea of a kalk reactor is air tightness (no CO2 to deteriorate the kalk mixture), and the undissolved kalk powder will slowly get used up as new water is pumped in to the reactor. kalk mixture exposed to air is only good for a week, maybe two. I currently use a 2 liter soda bottle filled to the top as a kalk reactor, sans mixing pump (similar to tunze osmolator calcium dispenser ), the diys I see usually costs >$50 already, that is why I thought using the acro-cal might be better (if it will work). Based on my understanding of the theory and principle of kalk reactors, the acro-cal looks like it can do the job, in theory. I need more than a "not really" reason for why it will not work.
Last edited:
Paul_PSU
In Memoriam
Randy,
I don't have a build thread on this DIY. Someone else asked the same question. I wish I would have. I didn't think of it since I used odd parts. I got the 6 inch pvc pipe from someone for free. The top and bottom pieces are bell traps from Lowe's the were not even are tight but I used epoxy and and they sealed up just fine. The one thing I do like about mine is it holds a little over 2 gallons of water. I was going to build one of these before though since it has all the parts listed. One thing I would advise is to make a drain valve so you can drain some water out when you add more kalk mix in there.
I don't have a build thread on this DIY. Someone else asked the same question. I wish I would have. I didn't think of it since I used odd parts. I got the 6 inch pvc pipe from someone for free. The top and bottom pieces are bell traps from Lowe's the were not even are tight but I used epoxy and and they sealed up just fine. The one thing I do like about mine is it holds a little over 2 gallons of water. I was going to build one of these before though since it has all the parts listed. One thing I would advise is to make a drain valve so you can drain some water out when you add more kalk mix in there.
One Dumm Hikk
In Memoriam
doughboy, if it has a recirc pump for stirring, is air tight, and can does with it then it should work. The only way anybody can tell you absolutely "It will work" is if someone has already tried one. Otherwise its just a guess based on the design of it.
Paul, thank you. The 6" pipe diameter and what you made the lid out of was the two major questions I had and you answered them.
Paul, thank you. The 6" pipe diameter and what you made the lid out of was the two major questions I had and you answered them.
d0ughb0y
Active member
yes I agree that only by actually trying that a definitive answer can be obtained. I was just inquiring in case I may have missed something not so obvious. I have gone through all DIY plans, and figured the actual cost will never be less than $50, and it will probably look ugly as hell if I did it.
here is a picture of the unit. The best part I like here is the pump is internal (on the lid of the cylinder), so no pump hanging out the side of the cylinder.
and here is one showing the impeller of the internal pump, which will suck up the liquid from the upper part of the cylinder and force it down the center tube, then up the sides of the cylinder (like a fluidized media reactor). The topoff rodi water coming in joins into the center tube, so fresh water comes in contact with kalk as soon as it comes out of the bottom of the center tube.
One Dumm Hikk
In Memoriam
Seal off the CO2 line and it should work. It is designed for Ca so the Kalk shouldn't hurt the pump. The only issue may be if the pump is strong enough to keep the kalk constantly stirred up and dumping kalk itself into the tank if its stirred too much. Almost looks like a modified phosban reactor of sorts.
Harry_Fish
In Memoriam
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14407307#post14407307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d0ughb0y
yes I agree that only by actually trying that a definitive answer can be obtained. I was just inquiring in case I may have missed something not so obvious. I have gone through all DIY plans, and figured the actual cost will never be less than $50, and it will probably look ugly as hell if I did it.
here is a picture of the unit. The best part I like here is the pump is internal (on the lid of the cylinder), so no pump hanging out the side of the cylinder.
and here is one showing the impeller of the internal pump, which will suck up the liquid from the upper part of the cylinder and force it down the center tube, then up the sides of the cylinder (like a fluidized media reactor). The topoff rodi water coming in joins into the center tube, so fresh water comes in contact with kalk as soon as it comes out of the bottom of the center tube.
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