How do you dose Kalk with a Kalk reactor?

[AZMSGT]

I’m looking at getting a Kalk reactor to use as part of my dosing routine. But since I‘m still new at this I figure I would ask to see how others are setting this stuff up.

1. what reactor do you use?
2. when do you know to add more Kalk to your reactor?
3. how do you feed the reactor and in turn feed your tank?
4. do you auto feed?

In regards to #3 I was thinking about using a dosing pump fed from my ATO To push water through the reactor. Is this a good or bad idea?

 

[C. Eymann]

I used a precision marine kalk reactor, I usually added 1 cup of calcium hydroxide when initially filling it as it's a big reactor, I had it mix 3 times a day at 5 min increments, I had it plumbed inline with my Tunze osmolator, I added a 1/4cup via easy fill port as needed, usually once a month or so.

 

[AZMSGT]

I use a precision marine kalk reactor, I usually add 1 cup of calcium hydroxide when initially filling it as it's a big reactor, I had it mix 3 times a day at 5 min increments, I have it plumbed inline with my Tunze osmolator, I add a 1/4cup via easy fill port as needed, usually once a month or so.

Yea, I was considering running one inline with the Tunze as well. I pump 1.5-2 g of RO into the tank a day and was concerned that running inline with that I would Over dose the tank.

 

[C. Eymann]

Yea, I was considering running one inline with the Tunze as well. I pump 1.5-2 g of RO into the tank a day and was concerned that running inline with that I would Over dose the tank.

Dialing in automated means of replenishing minerals (kalk, 2 part, calcium reactors) is all about making adjustments, checking params, make more adjustments for about 3-4days until you find that sweet spot where params dont change anymore, then double check after another few days, after that, unless you are adding more calcifying critters/coral it's pretty much autopilot for a while, slight adjustments may be needed as growth takes off though.

 

[AZMSGT]

Dialing in automated means of replenishing minerals (kalk, 2 part, calcium reactors) is all about making adjustments, checking params, make more adjustments for about 3-4days until you find that sweet spot where params dont change anymore, then double check after another few days, after that, unless you are adding more calcifying critters/coral it's pretty much autopilot for a while, slight adjustments may be needed as growth takes off though.

Yep.. I understand. Just getting my head wrapped around things so that when I go all in I have a clue.

 

[C. Eymann]

Yep.. I understand. Just getting my head wrapped around things so that when I go all in I have a clue.

knowledge is gold in this hobby, smart for doing research.

 

[Crashjack]

I run an Avast K1. Instructions tell you how much kalk to add. You can dose with a dosing pump, run through your ATO, or both (I do both). I pull RO from my ATO reservoir with my dosing pumps. One pump goes straight to the stirrer and the other is controlled by my ATO and goes to a 3-way valve where I can run either kalk through the stirrer or straight RO. How much you dose depends on how much it takes to keep alk/Ca where you want.

 

[ShepherdTech]

I run a Avast K1 and use a Neptune DOS to feed it. So much easier to keep it fully saturated, rather than guessing at the concentration and how much is added due to evap when adding directly to the ATO reservoir.

 

[Montiman]

I run a DIY reactor fed by a Milwaukee peristaltic pump. I would definitely recommend a peristaltic pump. I use a pH probe in the reactor connected to my apex and add kalk whenever the pH drops below 12.