Stir bar or pump for Kalk reactor

[Waxxiemann]

I am looking at either this :

http://barraquatic.com/kalk.php

or this:

http://www.geosreef.com/kalk_01.html

The Geo seems small but I like how you can drain it down, I don't see that on the Barr. The barr is nice and big.

I can't really decide. Obviously they both use different technology. Also with the Barr, I don't see how it wouldn't get powder into the tank if it happened to be mixing when the dosing pump came on.

 

[Hammercoral]

I have an old magnetic stirrer one my MRC , it has never caused me any problems. I do have it set to stir about one hour before my dosing pump turns on. Its a very simple device, only have to fill it every few weeks. I just use an aqualifter pump on an appliance timer to dose a few times a night, keeps the PH up...

 

[Waxxiemann]

I want to use my kalk reactor (whichever I choose) to top off my tank so I won't really have control over when it comes on (the pump) or not.

 

[Fishbulb2]

I have a circulating pump on my kalk reactor. It's a maxi-jet 400 and the kalk killed the pump fast. Now it rattles very loudly
FB

 

[Waxxiemann]

yeah, that's kinda what I don't like about pump style.

 

[Zephrant]

Re: Stir bar or pump for Kalk reactor

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8387579#post8387579 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Waxxiemann
I don't see how it wouldn't get powder into the tank if it happened to be mixing when the dosing pump came on.

Mag stir units can be setup so that they never mix to the top of the unit- there will always be a few inches of clear liquid left at the top when the timer stops. Just get a good digital timer with per minute on/off times, and it works great.

Zeph

 

[bureau13]

As an alternative to either, you can get a mechanically-coupled constant stir type, like Deltec ($$$) or Aqua Medic. Be careful on the last one though, as they make both a pump-driven unit (reactor) and constant stir unit (stirrer). I have the KS1000, the smaller of their stirrers, and so far it works like a charm. I have mine only stirring at night, so the kalk concentration is highest then to offset pH swings, and I also have it connected to my Osmolator ATO.

jds

 

[Hammercoral]

Thats how I use mine, to top off the tank with limewater, what am I doing wrong, 2 timers, and aqualifter,and a kalk reactor. Its been running fine for years.