Thinking about adding Calcium Dispenser 5074

[reef_doug]

I'm thinking about adding a Tunze 5074 Kalk dispenser to the 3155 Osmolator. I already have the 7 gal reservoir and I know it has provisions for the dispenser. However my tank is 180g and I want as much available space in the reservior for RODI as possible. Evaporation will probably be 2-3 gal/day.

Q1: Can I mount the dispenser in the sump return area with the attached bracket for rim style mounting? I have space to mount it above the water level. I would also think there would be a visual benefit to check the kalk level when mounted in the sump.
The reservoir is next to the sump, so there should be no additional head loss with either choice.
Or would it be best just mount the dispenser in the 7gal reservoir and give up volume for RODI?

Q2: any favorite brands of Kalk for this dispenser?

Thanks
Doug

 

[Yinger]

tagging along on this one. can we use a tunze magnet to mount the dispenser in our own reservoir?

 

[rvitko]

The dispenser mounts inside the reservoir, You will just use a drill or awl to make a hole at the top of the bucket for a screw to go through.

It comes with 250mg of kalkwasser powder and we sell refills but kalk is kalk, it just varies in grade and if it is USP or reagent grade it should be fine. Industrial grade may have some impurities and food grade while it is obviously pure for human consumption may not be pure Ca(OH)2. Any aquarium kalk should be fine but I would avoid "quick lime" and procede cautiously with pickling lime because it can discolor the water.

 

[reef_doug]

Thanks Roger. What I would like to do is mount the Ca Dispenser in my sump return area to save space for RODI, since my 180 will be consuming quite a bit of top off.

Can I mount the Ca Dispenser in the sump with out adverse consequences?

 

[rvitko]

It is risky, the hoses are embrittled over time by kalk and may come off and overdose the system, that is why we recommend placement in the reservoir.

 

[paulhines]

Mine's in a 15g aquarium that use for a reservoir. I have a 150g tank. with the reservoir filled to the top, I can go 3-4 days between RO additions.

7g reservoir on a 180g seems small.

The kalk dispenser works great!

 

[reef_doug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9779787#post9779787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paulhines
Mine's in a 15g aquarium that use for a reservoir. I have a 150g tank. with the reservoir filled to the top, I can go 3-4 days between RO additions.

7g reservoir on a 180g seems small.

The kalk dispenser works great!

Yep, that's what I was thinking on the 7 gal reservoir. I will be looking for an old tank or NSF grade container. Problem is very tight space left in the stand area where it needs to go. At least I have a 12x20x9-18H" return area in the sump.

Thanks for input on the Kalk dispenser. I think I'm going to get one to hold me until I load up with SPS and get a GEO 618. Even then I will probably run both.

 

[paulhines]

I think running kalk is very helpful. Helps bind phosphate.

I'm using two-part (Randy's recipe) for now. I have 20 lbs of CaCl to use up before I buy a Ca reactor.