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ganjero
11/23/2008, 01:06 AM
do I need a reactor? o can I use a brute can and mix kalk there and dose it with a litermeter?

downhillbiker
11/23/2008, 01:27 AM
i, along with many people, use a bucket or tub with limewater in it. i use a aqualifter pump to dose mine, but many use powerheads, or whatever you have. no reason for a reactor unless you feel the need to go high tech.

here is a good read before you get started. kalk can be your best friend or your worst enemy. make sure you take it slow and watch your pH. dont overdose or you will get a pH spike and snow storm. the best method is to use an auto top off, so that the kalk water is added a little at a time throughout the day.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

JustinReef
11/23/2008, 01:33 AM
^^I agree.

Be careful. It is great stuff and a cheap way to keep calcium and PH up but it does have some risks. I made the mistake once of letting some undissolved flakes of kalk get into my tank and it burned some spots on my sps.

I have tried a reactor but it was not great even though it was expensive. I like a brute can and auto top off, so much more.

ganjero
11/23/2008, 01:43 AM
ok, will the kalk ruin the liter meter?

vito is hooked
11/23/2008, 04:39 AM
I use 1 gal water jugs full of RO/DI, 1 1/4 teaspoon kalk, let it sit for about 12hrs, then slowly drip in my fudge. 1 in the morning and 1 at night. I make 4 jugs at a time then rotate.

ganjero
11/23/2008, 11:42 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13800640#post13800640 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vito is hooked
I use 1 gal water jugs full of RO/DI, 1 1/4 teaspoon kalk, let it sit for about 12hrs, then slowly drip in my fudge. 1 in the morning and 1 at night. I make 4 jugs at a time then rotate.
Thanks for the input but it has nothing to do with the question.

Im going to use a litermeter and I want to know if a need a reactor, or just simply mix the kalk in the brute can and dose it like that?

nukemdanno
11/23/2008, 11:52 AM
I think ever other month or so you'd need to run vinegar thru the liter meter to remove calcium deposits

downhillbiker
11/23/2008, 12:27 PM
agreed with above. just run some vinegar through it and you will be fine. calcium will build up just keep up on it.

Playa-1
11/23/2008, 01:58 PM
You can just mix it in a drum and use a litermeter to deliver it.
Set it up so that the draw tube from the litermeter does not pull from the very bottom of the holding tank. Once the kalk is mixed then no other circulation or mixing is beneficial. A brute container with a loose fitting lid is ideal.

I've had a similiar setup for a year and I don't see any calcium build up that would require any special cleaning or attention.

stuccodude
11/23/2008, 02:12 PM
dont want to steal your thread but i must ask that once its mixed it will not need to be re mixed all the time, say 40 gallons at a time. im gonna start using kalk myself, thanx

Playa-1
11/23/2008, 02:17 PM
Thats correct. Mix it thoroughly with a powerhead and then pull out the powerhead and it done. Mixing or circulating the mixed solution is detrimental to it's performance.

docalatamu
11/24/2008, 11:05 AM
how is re-mixing detrimental playa?

Randy Holmes-Farley
11/24/2008, 11:55 AM
Remixing allows CO2 to be driven into it, increasing the rate that it degrades. Without stirring it is good for a long time. With stirring it can deplete rapidly.

I discuss such issues here and in articles linked from it:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

docalatamu
11/24/2008, 03:26 PM
wow, thanks randy, quick, what is the best length of time to mix up the initial batch?

Randy Holmes-Farley
11/24/2008, 04:18 PM
Lime dissolves fast. 10 minutes may be enough, but an hour or two is typically plenty, and then let it settle overnight. :)

docalatamu
11/24/2008, 09:02 PM
cool, thanks

Randy Holmes-Farley
11/25/2008, 07:29 AM
You're welcome.

Happy Reefing. :)

Phillybean
11/25/2008, 08:54 AM
I have mine in a 20 gallon Brute next to the tank.

When I fill it with water, I add the kalk and it goes all cloudy. I stick my arm in and stir it around. I have it running a siphon on 1/4" RODI Hose with an Irrigation Valve. As long as the hose isn't on the bottom of the Brute, it won't pick up the "crap". Calcium always at 420-440 and dKH at 9-12.

docalatamu
11/25/2008, 09:11 AM
pic of your setup phillybean?

fred fishstone
11/25/2008, 09:18 AM
My Brute is in the basement. I mix 12-14 gallons at a time using a piece of 1" PVC to stir. It's pumped to the tank using a Reef-Filler pump, which has been working steadily for several years.

Phillybean
11/25/2008, 10:05 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13814350#post13814350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by docalatamu
pic of your setup phillybean?

I don't have any right now, I'll take a few when I get home from work and upload them.

dkh0331
11/25/2008, 10:09 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13800350#post13800350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ganjero
do I need a reactor? o can I use a brute can and mix kalk there and dose it with a litermeter?

You certainly can use a brute and deliver kalk via a litermeter. I've been doing that exact process for a while. I mix up ~40+ gals and that typically last me two weeks or so.

If that process provides your calcium needs, you probably won't need a reactor.

docalatamu
11/25/2008, 01:11 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13814710#post13814710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Phillybean
I don't have any right now, I'll take a few when I get home from work and upload them.

very cool, thanks, it would be great to see I think

Phillybean
11/25/2008, 04:28 PM
Here are the pics.

This is is showing the Brute. There is a hole drilled in with the 1/4" hose which is siliconed to be air tight.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i158/phillybean/WaterTopoff001.jpg

Here is inside the brute. The hose comes down and is swirled around inside a glass.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i158/phillybean/WaterTopoff002.jpg

And here is it on the way into the sump. A little tough to see but the black line coming in with a valve on the end.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i158/phillybean/WaterTopoff003.jpg

I check the drip rate daily, I usually adjust it every 3-5 days.

docalatamu
11/25/2008, 06:09 PM
so when you mix new kalk up, how do you start the new siphon?

Phillybean
11/25/2008, 10:23 PM
Well thats the only downside...but kalk water doesnt taste as bad as salt water :lol:

Playa-1
11/26/2008, 12:22 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13817795#post13817795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by docalatamu
so when you mix new kalk up, how do you start the new siphon?

Get a pump that will prime itself or don't let it run dry.

docalatamu
11/26/2008, 08:14 AM
would this pump work?

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~OE1137.html

stargazer=2
11/26/2008, 09:01 AM
i use a 30gal brute in the basement with a aquamedic sp 3000 pump on a timmer runs twice a day for one hr works fine