|
09/21/2017, 11:51 AM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 271
|
Switching to Kalk via dosing pump
Hi All,
I'm thinking to switch my dosing from 2 part (Randy's recipe) to Kalk and would welcome any feedback on my intended setup. I can't use my ATO to dose as fluctuations in the evaporation rate vary too much for any type of consistency. My plan is to use a 5gal plastic water jug (or 5gal salt bucket with lid) and my Kamoer pump to dose saturated limewater. Don't really want to shell out for a Kalk stirrer just yet so I was thinking that if I keep the jug topped up with RO water and leave a slurry of kalk paste on the bottom (more than is required to reach full saturation) the solution should remain saturated at all times. Am I mistaken in this? Perhaps give it a stir every couple days? 5gal of limewater should meet the demands of my tank for roughly 30days. The dosing containers would be covered. Is 30days too much of a supply? Appreciate any feedback. |
09/21/2017, 01:38 PM | #2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,426
|
I just started adding kalk via dosing pump and I like it. Your idea about adding excess kalk would work, but obviously wouldn't be an exact science... But as long as you alway keep more kalk in there than is needed to saturate the water, you're good. You won't need to stir it most likely as long as the refill agitates it. 30 days is fine, just leave it sealed and still.
|
09/21/2017, 06:32 PM | #3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida, FWB
Posts: 3,389
|
I have a 32 Brute that holds my RO/DI Kalk mix, also add a little vinegar to enhance the Kalk saturation. My Kalk is added with a BRS 50ml/min pump from BRS. The pump runs for 4 min every 1/2 hour. This matches my evaporation so closely that I have no ATO. You could do something similar. Set the doser so that it almost matches the evaporation and let the ATO make up any differences.
I mix the Kalk one time upon filling and that's it. Put a lid on it and let it sit. I've not noticed and drop in concentration doing this. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant |
09/22/2017, 11:50 AM | #4 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,426
|
Quote:
|
|
09/22/2017, 12:12 PM | #5 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida, FWB
Posts: 3,389
|
Quote:
It goes about 3 weeks. It is my ATO/Kalk. I don't have a separate ATO, the 4 min every 1/2 makes up for all my evaporation. I have 300 gallons total so I probably have more evaporation than you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant |
|
09/22/2017, 01:02 PM | #6 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 2,055
|
I used to use 32g reservoirs but now I have elected to only make one weeks worth at a time just in case the highly unlikely yet possible scenario of my Litermeter failing happens.
|
09/22/2017, 01:05 PM | #7 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida, FWB
Posts: 3,389
|
Quote:
I don't fear mine failing. It's on a timer via APEX EB8 relay socket, if it fails it will fail in the off position. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant |
|
09/22/2017, 01:19 PM | #8 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 2,055
|
I guess if I had an $800 controller keeping watch I might mix huge quantities of limewater with reckless abandon, for now I will keep my small reservoir.
|
09/23/2017, 06:30 AM | #9 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 89
|
Don't mean to hijack. I just set up a reactor connected to the ATO myself. What mix ratio are you guys using to maintain saturation since the mix is constantly being diluted?
|
09/23/2017, 02:28 PM | #10 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 290
|
You will probably have to replace the dosing pump relatively frequently.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
09/23/2017, 02:34 PM | #11 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida, FWB
Posts: 3,389
|
Quote:
Only if the pump is in the limewater. If you use a pump like the BRS ATO pump 50ml/min like I do you won't have any Kalk/pump problems. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant |
|
09/23/2017, 02:34 PM | #12 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida, FWB
Posts: 3,389
|
Quote:
My point is all you really need is a decent timer. Then your set. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant |
|
09/23/2017, 03:01 PM | #13 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 290
|
Quote:
The calcium build up in the tube is still going to cause some issue. But you are right the pump itself should be fine since it doesn't touch the limewater. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
|
09/23/2017, 03:31 PM | #14 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida, FWB
Posts: 3,389
|
Quote:
There is no buildup in my 1.5 year old tubes. Only build up that occurs is at the very end of the output, that's it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant |
|
09/23/2017, 03:44 PM | #15 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 271
|
|
09/23/2017, 03:48 PM | #16 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 271
|
Thanks for all the input.
My dosers failed two days ago (my fault for not replacing the tubing) so I'm manually dosing at the moment. Will be switching to Kalk dosing (via kamoer doser controlled by reef keeper with ph probe) as soon as the new tubing comes in. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
09/23/2017, 03:53 PM | #17 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 290
|
Quote:
Wow I may give it try then! I thought the build up would be really good but reality beats theory! Thank you for sharing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
|
09/23/2017, 06:44 PM | #18 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Wooster, OH
Posts: 1,862
|
I used kalk for a few weeks and decided to go back to two part. I wasn't using my ATO but used a dosing pump. My ATO automatically fills so I couldn't go that route. More or less I went back because two part was set up and used for almost 8yrs and I didn't like change. Plus with PH fluctuations I didn't have a way to control things like I did with my two part, meaning if PH spiked I couldnt just turn off my kalk or else the tank parameters would drop. With two part, I was able to use carbonate or Bicarbonate if PH was high or low.
__________________
60x36x24 mixed reef. 40b sump. Regal 250int Varios. 4xHydra26HDs+t5s. 4xMp40wes. Apex2016. |
09/23/2017, 07:40 PM | #19 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida, FWB
Posts: 3,389
|
Quote:
Awesome, just don't use pH to control the Kalk. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant |
|
09/23/2017, 09:57 PM | #20 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 271
|
|
09/24/2017, 12:40 PM | #21 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Wooster, OH
Posts: 1,862
|
Quote:
__________________
60x36x24 mixed reef. 40b sump. Regal 250int Varios. 4xHydra26HDs+t5s. 4xMp40wes. Apex2016. |
|
09/25/2017, 07:54 PM | #22 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida, FWB
Posts: 3,389
|
Quote:
That's perfect, I've got mine set to shut off if pH is too high. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant |
|
|
|