Osmolator with a Geo Kalkwasser reactor?

[alin2]

I'd like to incorporate kalkwasser in my top-off water.

Will the pump included in the Osmolator be strong enough to work with a Geo Kalkwasser reactor?

TIA!

 

[rvitko]

I don't know the specific details of how well it works or how to connect it, but I know it works, I have seen people do it.

 

[carman9941]

Yes, it will work very well

 

[slow_leak]

I would not do that as pH will spike a lot.

I use Geo Kalk reactor with Spectrapure pump on a Neptune AC jr. Osc function will such as OSC 001/120 depending on evaporation rate and pH. I have Osmolator on a timer as well. It has one chance a day to top off. Not how Tunze intended but it will not compete with Kalk evaporation rate. It only compensates for missing water not made up by kalk reactor.

Osmolator has been used for 5 years with no problems. Time out feature is essential.

 

[rvitko]

The 3155 Osmolator should top off so little at a time that if used consistently no pH spike should occur on a larger aquarium. If you use it in conjunction with a calcium reactor with controller the risk is virtually eliminated as more CO2 would be dosed to compensate. At least with our dispenser, the result is a very stable pH, combined with a reactor running on a pH controller you can virtually lock in a pH with a fluctuation of less than .10 per day.

 

[slow_leak]

rvitko

Thanks for the tips!

I always like to find a way to run my system as simple and automated as possible. I run the top off to a relay switch I made in the garage. I may relay the spectraliter pump as the top off for awhile. I would just need to swap things around alittle.

My initial thought was that most evaporation is during the day. That is why I set it up that way originally. I do trust the Tunze top off enough to run it that way and would buy another if it ever quit.

I might try it your way for a month or two and watch pH.

 

[alin2]

Roger,

What is the part number for the check valve for the osmolator tubing to prevent backflow from a kalk reactor into the RODI top off water?

Also, how can I order it?

Thanks!

 

[AcroporAddict]

I use a Tunze osmolator with an MRC Kalk Reactor without any problems. Just use a check valve between the pump and the Nilsen.
Dave

 

[rvitko]

You can really use just about any check valve that will fit and opens at less than 1psi, they do need to be changed periodically as kalk is very hard on any flappers or rubber parts. Our part is 5074.010.

 

[LCN]

The osmolator along with a geo kalk rx works greats.

 

[in2deep]

you can also put an inline valve (cheap little airline adjustable valve) in the Osmolator return line and dial the flow back so its like a fast trickle to more evenly disperse the kalkwasser back into the tank, preferably into some current.

 

[Los]

If you don't use the check valve in between the Kalk Reactor and the RODI chamber, is that likely to be a big problem? As best as I can tell, only a little would back flush.

 

[slow_leak]

You mean reverse siphon? That would be very bad. Make sure the discharge drips and does not ever have a chance to siphon backwards even with a check valve.

 

[Los]

I'm sorry, I explained that wrong. The discharge is - as directed - above the water level of both the RODI and the kalk reactor. There is no chance of a reverse siphon.

Instead, I'm concerned about when the osmolator turns off, the water in the tubing is going to drain back via gravity. Without a kalk reactor, it just goes back into the RODI container. With a kalk reactor, the same will happen, but it will be a small amount of kalk water which drains passed the osmolator pump and into the kalk reactor. I'm guessing it will only be a half cup or so, but didn't know if that was a problem. I had never really thought about it until I saw this thread and the discussion around the need for a check valve.

So is a check valve needed there or not?

 

[rvitko]

Yes, you will need a check valve. I would install the check valve looped above the dispenser as a small amount will always back siphon before the valve shuts and this will prevent powder from jamming the valve open and eating the seal.

 

[kretzkiller]

So will the osomaltor work with a geo kalk reactor?

 

[carman9941]

YES very well

 

[kretzkiller]

do you use one?

 

[carman9941]

I did, but now I am using zeo so I only use my CA RX, The best set up you can have imho

 

[kretzkiller]

does zeo counteract low ph problems that can arrise from the use of a ca rx?