Tunze kalk dispenser

[chark]

Does anyone have experience with the kalk dispenser? Does it mix well? Will it deliver undissolved kalk to the aquarium? Can it be run with a top off other than the tunze top off?

Thanks

 

[rvitko]

It is designed to work with the osmolator, it uses the flow of the osmolator pump to mix the kalkwasser. It is a very basic reactor and delivers only a saturated solution for up to 7 gallons of top off water when properly installed. It needs weekly replenishing with fresh powder. It is not intended to be a sole solution for calcium, kalkwasser is a very weak calcium source and in all but the lowest demand situations must be supplemented with a calcium reactor. They work well in tandem as the kalk binds the free CO2 and raises the pH and KH.

 

[milkman55]

Roger,

I have the Osmolater ATO and have been experiencing low pH (7.8) and low KH (7-8 dhk). I have a 34 gal Solana tank. I believe it is due to high CO2 due to a tightly closed up house, especially this winter.
I have had several tell me that dripping kalk would help this situation. After reading your response, it seems like just the solution I have been looking for. I did not want to mix the kalk in the top off water like many recommend as I know it will eventually foul the pump.
Do you think the kalk dispenser would work. I have a few SPS, but basically a mixed tank. My calcium is running 440, so I have not had any issue with calcium, but the pH and KH have been a challenge.

 

[rvitko]

Yes it should work but you will want to get the calcium down a bit before you start as the increased pH and KH may cause a calcium precipitation. Also, it will take a couple months of use to really stabilize the parameters and bring the KH in line.

 

[milkman55]

Sorry, one more question. Do the calcium dispensers in stock now at either Marine Depot or Aquacave have the new improved backflow valves, or is there still old stock out there? Seems like the valve is the primary criticism I have seen.

 

[rvitko]

The new valves are just now being included. I would think everything out still has the old valve, I cannot say for sure as I have not opened any of the boxes. It is not a big deal, if it fails, just drop me a PM and we will send the new one. The old one was clear and black, same check valve Hagen sells for air pumps. We now use a opaque natural polypropylene valve, it is kind of an off white. This valve is made in the US and is a heavy duty industrial valve.