Straight Kalk Topoff?

[pili]

Hey, i just got my kalk reactor in from aquatic systems design today and i was originally planning to set it up by teeing off the line so that i could run a ratio of strait kalk to RO.

I am not totally sure that i could do this now though looking at the unit so i was wondering if anyone thinks there would be a problem running the topoff straight through reactor and into the tank so the topoff would be 100% kalk.

Another question too, how long should i let the mixing pump run initially?

Thanks

 

[examiner]

Most kalk users are 100% kalk topoff.

You may have a couple issues though...how is your topoff system set up? Especially in a 40 gallon, dripping the kalk is pretty much mandatory. If you are using a float switch type arrangment, you may encounter PH spikes if using saturated kalk for topoff (dumping too much kalk in too fast). This can lead to all kinds of problems like calcium precipitation which leads to more problems, etc....

With a kalk reactor, you can't really vary the saturation of the solution - it's always gonna be fully saturated. Given that you have a smaller tank, it's a mixed reef with probably not a massive calcium demand....I'd just suggest you proceed real slow and keep an eye on things so as to not overdose.

Mixing pump only needs to run a minute or so to saturate the solution. Good luck.

 

[pili]

The auto top off is controlled by a tunze osmolator which is pretty accurate so its on more often but less is added at once.

I have a good number of sps (20+ frags to small colonies) and a clam so i wouldnt say that there is little calcium demand but then again its not a full blown sps tank.

Thanks for the help

 

[pili]

I think i'll try going straight from the reactor and just watch it. If the pH changes to much or precipitate starts to form than i'll just disconnect the reactor until i figure out how to set it up another way.

 

[pili]

bump...

 

[jwedehase]

I have a 38g, and use 100% kalk topoff out of the reactor, controlled with a Kent float valve, which I keep clean. I have a powerhed inside the reactor, and it turns on for one minute, twice a day. My tank is pretty heavily SPS, also, but it is a mix. I still have to dose in Calcium and Alk daily. I'm in the process of building a Calcium reactor for that one, too.

 

[pili]

cool, so you dont get super wild pH swings?

 

[pili]

^^^