kalk reactor and calcium reactor.....whos using em? (1 Viewer)

[DMAX]

I have a 180 gallon reef with mostly sps and I am using a pm calcium reactor. My ph stays around 7.8-8.0 and was looking at adding a kalk reactor to boost my ph with my top off. Just wanted some input on the idea.

Thanks.

 

[jdeveaux]

I run that same setup. I have a PM dual chamber calcium reactor and PM's older large kalk reactor to maintain my ph. My tank stays between 8.0 and 8.2

I haven't really checked my alk in a while. My controller monitors the PH and if it drops or increases I check the alk to see if its a true problem or the probe needing to be calibrated.

I run three PH probes. One in the sump, One in the overflow of the tank and the third on the calcium reactor to control the CO2.

 

[Moto456r]

I also run the PM calcium reactor use to have the PM Kalk reactor on the tank but have since moved it over to the frag tank. On my 100 I just mix Kalk into my top off water and use a regular float valve to drip it in.

I have 2 of the 5 gallon jugs tied together for the top off this works well that that tank as I don't evaporate that much.

Then frag tank on the other hand has a lot of surface area and evaporates more so moving the Kalk reactor over there is just a little less work for me.

Tanks run 8.0-8.34 during a normal day.

 

[DMAX]

Ok. Any tips to setting it up with my calcium reactor? I have a digital aquatics controller monitoring the ph in the pm calcium reactor. Just add kalk and turn the mix pump on a couple times a day and let the top off water run thru it?

Thanks for the help guys. I am looking at the pm kalk reactor as well.

 

[DMAX]

Tested Saturday and....
Ca 400
Mg 1200
Ph 7.8
Phosphate 0
Dkh 8

 

[Moto456r]

You got it, I mix 3 times in a 24 hour period. Depending on your evaporation rate that will also help keep it mixed up.

 

[RR-MAN]

Ok. Any tips to setting it up with my calcium reactor? I have a digital aquatics controller monitoring the ph in the pm calcium reactor. Just add kalk and turn the mix pump on a couple times a day and let the top off water run thru it?

Thanks for the help guys. I am looking at the pm kalk reactor as well.

Kalk will increase the PH level (minor) at the same time it will boost the DKH (Alkalinity) level so keep an eye on that. It all depends on how much kalk you add versus the amount of evaporation.

 

[DMAX]

I just picked up a pm kalk reactor and it says to just mix kalk ( no more than 2" in the reactor) and pour it into the chamber. How do I adjust the kalk that I add? By the evaporation rate? Or by the amount of kalk powder you keep in the reactor?

 

[DMAX]

To be honest I am nervous to put it online with the chance of messing something up. Have heard of a lot of people over dosing and crashing their tanks.

And I really don't know what my evaporation rate is? I have the tank tied to a 55 gal. drum with Ro/di water as my top off.

 

[Moto456r]

The only way to adjust is with the amount that you evaporate. The amount in the reactor is not going to matter. A saturated kalk solution is only so much, the rest will fall to the bottom unless you are pushing alot of water through the reactor then you could push powder out.

 

[DMAX]

With my ph being 8.2 when I came home from work today and the reactor is not hooked up yet I am nervous that the ph will climb to high as well as my alk since it was 8 already.

And thanks for helping me out guys!

 

[bstac]

na

na

 

[DogHair]

If your really worried set up a side by side and just drip the Kalk a little bit with a timer while your current top off carries that load. You can then slowly adjust over as you see what changes you get. Cost of setting up would be worth your piece of mind.

 

[DMAX]

I HAVE SET IT UP THROUGH THE TOP OFF AND IT IS WORKING GREAT. MY PH WILL STILL FLUCTUATE BUT THE SWING IS NOT THAT BAD. I WISH I WOULD OF ADDED THE KALK REACTOR A LONG TIME AGO.

THANKS, MATT