PH to drive Kalkreactor

[onthefly]

I'm trying to drive my DIY kalk reactor....it's the "classic" recirc. design 24" tall. I'm using JG fittings for the in and out.

My idea was to use a PH (triggered by my ATO switch) to drive the reactor. I was planning to step down the 1/2" PH outlet to 1/4" airline tubing and finally into the JG fittings. However, all of the PHs I've tried seem too weak to push the system.

I have a MJ1200 that I'm going to try tonight, just wondering if anyone else has run into this problem?

 

[ReefWaters]

I burned out several small powerheads (also powered by a float switch) just trying to go straight from an RO reservoir to the sump for top off. I finally bought a Mag2 and it works great. But its big and fairly expensive for the purpose.

Ive been looking into using an AquaLifter pump or an AquaMedic peristaltic pump to do what your talking about. The AquaLifter is only $12 so that is what I want to use.

Im just a little scared b/c it seems like it would be unreliable.

 

[hahnmeister]

There is an easier way. This is how I do kalk w/o expensive motors or burning them out.

Rig up the ATO pump so that it pumps into a small tank or standpipe that is above the aquarium/sump's water level. Then have this tank feed into the kalk reactor and into the tank. When the ATO goes off, the water will be sent to this storage tank (with an overflow that goes into the tank so it doesnt run forever), and then gravity will push it down into the kalk reactor and into the sump. A few seconds of the ATO pump is all it takes, and with no restriction on the pump itself. Hope that it helps. You can also rig up the ATO pump to just be on a timer to feed however you like...and then the kalk outlet is regulated however you like with a simple needle or pinch valve on the outlet.