kalk reactor pictures needed

[Jarett]

im about to start building my kalk reactor. just got the tubes in today. i will be using a recirculating pump instead of a stir bar. could someone please post some pictures of thiers set up so i could see different designs.
thanks

[Milleme]

I just finished mine.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/milleme/58%20gallon%20reef/100_2253.jpg

[Jarett]

thanks, anyone else got a picture they could share please

[jaze36]

Here is mine

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b72/jaze36/reefpics034.jpg

[h20cooled]

Here is my DIY kalk reactor (also my waste container in the picture).

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e241/h20cooled/KalkWaste001.jpg

[dvanacker]

Very nice work guys.

Mine is more of a quick and easy type of kalk mixer (I call it a mixer cause thats all they really do).

I bought a peice of 4" PVC and one cap and one threaded cap. Then some john guest fittings from home depot as well. Tap the fittings (in on the side out at the top) and glue the caps on. Next I mounted my MJ inside the reactor (I felt no need to have it on the outside and it would have been a hassle).

Works great for over about a year. I have the thing on a timer and top it up with kalk ever month or so.

The only real downside to mine is its not clear and dont know when the exact time its out of kalk but no bigger I just refill it with lots to make sure it never runs out and what ever doesnt get used sits on the bottom till the timer comes on and it gets a chance to saturate the water.

[Electrobes]

Heh I am about to build one (sans pump) out of a coke bottle. There's a few people out there using a water filter canister... working out well for them. I will post pics tomorrow after I ahve it set-up.

[hahnmeister]

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=66406&hl=got+kalk\?

^^^It might be at nano-reefs.com, but its a big one...6" cast acrylic tube, 30" tall. I like it because it doesnt have any lines going through the top or sides... all through the bottom.

[prugs]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/579/29791My_Tang_pictures_001.jpg


If I had a 3" union, it would have made the top alot easier to make.

[Pbrown3701]

I made one about 3 months ago from clear PVC. In hindsight, I wish i had just gone with regular PVC. I don't even look inside. You use your pH meter to tell when to refill (as the tank pH drops below about 8.3, it's time to add some powder). And this only happens once every few weeks or so.

WHat i did was use 4" PVC. I made the top out of a 2" Union and a clear piece of acrylic for the lid (remove half the union and replace with acrylic).

One twist that I used was instead of using a 4" bushing to connect the top and bottom halfs, i am using a 4" "Y" that had a 2inch branch on it. Then use a fitting to get down to your pump inlet. Then you only have to drill 1 hole in the side which makes it more robust (rather than drilling the intake and output from the pump).

[Jarett]

I made one about 3 months ago from clear PVC. In hindsight, I wish i had just gone with regular PVC. I don't even look inside. You use your pH meter to tell when to refill (as the tank pH drops below about 8.3, it's time to add some powder). And this only happens once every few weeks or so.

WHat i did was use 4" PVC. I made the top out of a 2" Union and a clear piece of acrylic for the lid (remove half the union and replace with acrylic).

One twist that I used was instead of using a 4" bushing to connect the top and bottom halfs, i am using a 4" "Y" that had a 2inch branch on it. Then use a fitting to get down to your pump inlet. Then you only have to drill 1 hole in the side which makes it more robust (rather than drilling the intake and output from the pump).

im not sure i understand right, could you post a picture please. thanks

[Pbrown3701]

i'm new to this pic posting thing. if you really want to see the pic, then let me know how to do it :p

Otherwise, i'll describe in detail from the botom:

The base is a "4inch closet flange" like you see in Prugs post above.
Then a 4" PVC Cap seals the bottom (cemented to the closet flange).
Then 4" clear PVC pipe
Then a 4" PVC fitting (It looks like a simple slip fitting to connect two pieces of 4"PVC, but comming out of the side of the fitting is another 2" branch - which makes the fitting a "Y")
Then the 4" PVC continues up another 2/3 of the total height.
Then into a 4" to 2" reducer fitting.
Then into a very short piece of 2" pipe between the
2" Union which acts as the top. (I used half the union, and cut a round piece of clear Acrylic to fit into the union against the rubber o-ring.

For the PUMP, comming out of the 2" "y" mentioned above, it goes into a 2" to 1" reducer and then into the MJ900 input via flexible tube.
THe output of the pump goes into a 1/2" PVC pipe, through the side of the Y fitting and pipe and then down the center of the reactor (to blow at the bottom).

You're right - pictures are easier to understand:p

[Pbrown3701]

The "Y" is simply a "T" fitting with the stem of the T being 2" instead of 4" like the other 2 ends.

[Pbrown3701]

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n234/pbrown3701/P8031097.jpg

and

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n234/pbrown3701/P8031098.jpg