Kalk Reactors, Stirrers & Dosers: How do you add Kalk to your reef?

[Bob Lauson]

I made my own 5 Gallon kalk reactor made with a piece of 12” diameter PVC and a custom made stirrer that’s also PVC and acrylic driven by a small motor. About every 45 days or so I add about 1-1/2 cups of kalk and I dose it based on pH. The Kalk stirrer starts 30 seconds prior to the starting the dosing pump. With that much Kalk, the stirrer is critical to keep the Kalk suspended in the water column. I use 2 pH probes to monitor pH in case one fails. I dose to get a target pH - usually 8.25 to 8.35. If my alkalinity is low I boost the range up to 8.30 to 8.40. I’ve been using this technic for over 5 years with no issues.

 

[Substantial Oof]

I use aquaforest 3 part alk/ca/mg with kamoer x1 dosing pumps. Works flawlessly.

 

[Mr Cypher]

I used a Nilson reactor hooked up to my apex set to mix for 90 sec twice an hour works well for me