Question about Kalk reactor

[Robert Ranciato]

Hi I recently started using a kalkwasser reactor on my 90 gallon. I also dose brightwell alkalinity and calcium. My problem is I'm not sure the right way to use the reactor. Should I be adding kalkwasser in to the reactor ever day or should I be adding ever week, month . Also won't kalk build up on the bottom? And if I were to clean the reactor how would I know how much kalk to add right away. I use a stand alone doesing pump to add water into the reactor 12 times a day the water just gravity feeds into sump. Any advice would be great. Thanks

 

[MichaelReefer]

Generally I add half a cup about every 2 weeks. After two adds I generally empty it and clean the old Calk out and refill it. Once it hits 12.8 (I believe 12.8 is max saturation) @Randy Holmes-Farley. it will not go any higher. So technically you "Cant add too much." BUT most reactors with stirrers cant push that much, you could burn the motor out. I personally have an Avast Marine K1, which I use to supplement mainly my PH. I also dose Alk and Calcium to keep those up.

 

[dwest]

Hi I recently started using a kalkwasser reactor on my 90 gallon. I also dose brightwell alkalinity and calcium. My problem is I'm not sure the right way to use the reactor. Should I be adding kalkwasser in to the reactor ever day or should I be adding ever week, month . Also won't kalk build up on the bottom? And if I were to clean the reactor how would I know how much kalk to add right away. I use a stand alone doesing pump to add water into the reactor 12 times a day the water just gravity feeds into sump. Any advice would be great. Thanks

That sounds similar to my avast kalk stirrer. I put a cup or so in about once a month or when the level of solids gets low. I dump the solids out about once a year.

 

[Robert Ranciato]

When you say 12.8 I think you mean your ph probe right? I don't have one. Is it better not to use the reactor until I get one?

 

[MichaelReefer]

When you say 12.8 I think you mean your ph probe right? I don't have one. Is it better not to use the reactor until I get one?

I dont use a PH probe in mine. I would say a half a cup every two weeks is more than enough.

 

[Robert Ranciato]

I dont use a PH probe in mine. I would say a half a cup every two weeks is more than enough.

Will your Alk jump up and down? I would assume the Alk would be higher when you add it and lower towards the end of the 2 weeks

 

[MichaelReefer]

Will your Alk jump up and down? I would assume the Alk would be higher when you add it and lower towards the end of the 2 weeks

No, because it stays saturated. Thats why you add more after 2 weeks. It will stay steady until all of the alk is consumed from the Kalkwaser.

 

[Robert Ranciato]

No, because it stays saturated. Thats why you add more after 2 weeks. It will stay steady until all of the alk is consumed from the Kalkwaser.

Ok I might try that. Thanks

 

[dwest]

As long as there is some solid kalk on the bottom of the reactor, the solution above the solid should be at or near saturation.