Nielson reactor?
- Thread starter man1410
- Start date
There are some differences, but the basic effects are similar. Both will raise the pH, alkalinity, and calcium. The Nielsen reactor is set up to dose a saturated lime solution, and you can make the same strength solution with topoff.
The topoff approach has some advantages. You can tune the strength of the solution more, and by letting the kalk settle after mixing, some contaminants will precipitate out of solution. Also, vinegar can be added to the mix, for various effects. The Nielsen reactors are somewhat less time-consuming, though.
This article might be useful:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php
The topoff approach has some advantages. You can tune the strength of the solution more, and by letting the kalk settle after mixing, some contaminants will precipitate out of solution. Also, vinegar can be added to the mix, for various effects. The Nielsen reactors are somewhat less time-consuming, though.
This article might be useful:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php
In addition to those differences, it is sometimes hard to get the limewater saturated with reactors if you allow it to settle at all.
I prefer to dose from a reservoir, but if you are pressed for space, a reactor can be useful.
I prefer to dose from a reservoir, but if you are pressed for space, a reactor can be useful.
When new water enters, if you do not stir (to dissolve more solids) before any of that water leaves, then it has diluted the potency of the effluent.
More of an effect on what?
My guess is that, assuming the standing container had saturated limewater, that the reactor was dosing particles as well as dissolved solids, so was not just limewater.
Huh, OK, I don't understand it then unless the standing reservoir was less than saturated, or dosed in smaller amounts.
It depends on the reactor design, but many won't dissolve much of the lime without stirring. If it is maintaining alkalinity in your aquarium, however, it is doing fine.
I'd check the effluent and see if anything is dissolving into it. Conductivity is the best way, but pH can also work. IT may not be dissolving much at all without stirring.
This article describes more about using limewater:
What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm
This article describes more about using limewater:
What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm
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