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polwick
07/22/2007, 10:41 PM
I dose my tank with Kalkwasser. I mix it with RO in a 5-gallon container, and then put the top-off amount in a small bucket and let it drip overnight. My problem is that I'm getting cloudy water in the tank. The surface of the tank has what appear to be little bits of Kalk floating around. How do I fix this?


Here's the bucket I use for top-off/kalk:
<img src="http://a868.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/123/l_53dafcaa93c19bae548fe56f31f16f3b.jpg">
</img>
<img src="http://a296.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/87/l_ea5321b58005d18ab683425eef8e55b7.jpg">
</img>

xtm
07/22/2007, 11:05 PM
The problem is the design of your Kalk dripper... the drain is on the bottom which pretty much GUARANTEES that you are getting nothing but pure slurry.

I would redesign your kalk dripper so that it uses siphon via airline tubing that picks up Kalk on top of the slurry and not bottom-drain. Like this: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/nftt/index.php

However, if you really want to fine-tune your kalk dosing, I highly suggest you get a Peristaltic Pump. (http://www.spectrapure.com/St_prec_p0.htm)

Sk8r
07/22/2007, 11:09 PM
Ditto the bottom drain...nix.
insert your topoff line into the top of your 'reactor' for input, with a check valve on it, and take another drip line out of the 'reactor' also at the top, a line without a check valve, that will be 'forced' as your topoff injects fresh water into your 'reactor'. That will cause a drip of kalk in the same amount as comes in via your topoff. Water pushes in: kalkwasser flows out. Same way a pricey kalk reactor works except for the stirrer.

polwick
07/22/2007, 11:19 PM
Um...I <i>think</i> I understand what you both said. Is the point to take water out of the middle of the bucket but not the top or bottom? I know the top has the "slurry."


As far as a Peristaltic pump...as you can probably tell, that's not exactly in my market range. I try to limit myself to $40 a month on tank stuff. But thanks very much for the link on a DIY kalk dripper, I'll be studying that.

KyleO
07/23/2007, 01:37 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10394409#post10394409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by polwick
Um...I <i>think</i> I understand what you both said. Is the point to take water out of the middle of the bucket but not the top or bottom? I know the top has the "slurry."


As far as a Peristaltic pump...as you can probably tell, that's not exactly in my market range. I try to limit myself to $40 a month on tank stuff. But thanks very much for the link on a DIY kalk dripper, I'll be studying that.

Try an aqualifter pump by Tom's.....usually around $15. It pumps a little faster than the higher priced models (I have both) but an inexpensive digital timer ($15) will allow you to pump Kalk in periodically 24/7.

I use the aqualifter and a timer on my Nano (dosing approx. 1 minute every other hour) and it is doing very well. Keeps the PH, Calcium and Alk all pretty constant.

seapug
07/23/2007, 11:38 AM
I just use a plastic pitcher with airline tubing and a landscape irrigation drip valve on the end. Mix Kalk and water, insert airline so it sits about 1/2 from the bottom of the container then clip it in place with a clothespin, start siphon, adjust drip valve. Done. Total cost: about $6.00

I get a little cloudiness, but I've read that using a fresh, cloudy solution is more effective.