DIY Kalk Stirrer

[mitch91175]

Well since getting my calcium reactor I have been battling lower pH than I would like, so I am thinking about converting a NextReef MR1 reactor to a kalk stirrer. Here is a pic of the reactor (sucks they went out-of-business):

Modeling my DIY stirrer after this video:


But also looking to mirror the Geo KR615 some as well:

So here are my parts list thus far:
1 - NextReef MR1 reactor

and that's all I currently have. Started adding stuff to my cart in Amazon for the DIY project (now I will not buy everything from Amazon because I can save $$ getting else where, just a holding place for everything I need):

Only part that I haven't been able to find are the push connect fitting to replace the existing NPT elbows that came with the reactor.

If anyone has an idea of where I can find some that will allow me to put 1/4 acrylic tube in it and still be able to screw it into the top of the NextReef, that would be awesome.

Will decide early next week if I will go through with the project.

Stay tuned.

 

[mitch91175]

Adding another part to the list. Want to put a pH probe in it so I can know when it is either time to refill or turn on the pump.

 

[crusso1993]

Well since getting my calcium reactor I have been battling lower pH than I would like, so I am thinking about converting a NextReef MR1 reactor to a kalk stirrer. Here is a pic of the reactor (sucks they went out-of-business):

Modeling my DIY stirrer after this video:


But also looking to mirror the Geo KR615 some as well:

So here are my parts list thus far:
1 - NextReef MR1 reactor

and that's all I currently have. Started adding stuff to my cart in Amazon for the DIY project (now I will not buy everything from Amazon because I can save $$ getting else where, just a holding place for everything I need):

Only part that I haven't been able to find are the push connect fitting to replace the existing NPT elbows that came with the reactor.

If anyone has an idea of where I can find some that will allow me to put 1/4 acrylic tube in it and still be able to screw it into the top of the NextReef, that would be awesome.

Will decide early next week if I will go through with the project.

Stay tuned.

You may be able to find the fitting you're looking for on the link below;

https://www.h2odistributors.com/john-guest-fittings

Hope this helps!

 

[mitch91175]

You may be able to find the fitting you're looking for on the link below;

https://www.h2odistributors.com/john-guest-fittings

Hope this helps!

Thanks will check it out.

 

[crusso1993]

Thanks will check it out.

Let me know if they carry what you're hoping to find.

BTW - maybe you're already familiar with this but, in case you're not, below is a great site for finding all things PVC.

https://flexpvc.com

 

[ReefHog]

Here’s mine. PVC parts under $10. Motor $8. Push connect fittings and tubing I had laying around. I will feed it through my Apex with a Neptune 24 volt top off pump but could easily be fed with a cheap Tom's Aqua Lifter pump on a timer.

 

[mitch91175]

Here’s mine. PVC parts under $10. Motor $8. Push connect fittings and tubing I had laying around. I will feed it through my Apex with a Neptune 24 volt top off pump but could easily be fed with a cheap Tom's Aqua Lifter pump on a timer.

This is exactly what I am wanting to do with mine. Does the motor you bought spin fast enough to keep it stirred? If so I would rather do it like yours to save a little space. Any links to your parts list?

 

[ReefHog]

I actually started thinking about this project a few months ago. Your post gave me the inspiration to move forward with it. I saw a YouTube video of another DIY stirrer and he was using a similar motor. If you search for
Synchronous motors in Amazon, a ton of them will come up. I believe you want around 18 RPM. I grabbed this one cause it was cheap for testing purposes. I tested it in the reactor you see with a half cup of salt in place of the Kalk as I didn't want to waste the Kalk for the trial run. It worked perfectly. I thought about using a uniseal for the discharge pipe but I was worried about Kalk creep, so I drilled the hole and used acrylic glue to attach the 1/2" outlet pipe. I plan on hanging mine off the side of the tank which is why I attached the hanging bracket. If your going to drip it in the sump, you wouldn't need that part. The motor does get a little warm/hot after five or ten minutes run time which is normal I hear. I will only run the motor for five minutes or so every couple hours so I'm really not concerned. My Neptune ATO solenoid gets way hotter. They sell mini heat sinks if it's a concern. Or I believe you can buy the motor Avast Marine uses on their stirrer. Think it was $25-$30.