Kalk and Ca reactor questions (several)

[Zero_Cool]

When setting up a new tank from scratch when do I bring the Kalk and Calcium reactors online?

Is it best to use a peristolic pump (DOS) to drive the kalk reactor vs relying on the ato only?

If using the DOS do I still pull fresh rodi water through the kalk reactor or do I pull saltwater and leave the ato to cover evaporation?

How do I determine the amount of kalk needed?

How about the calcium reactor - old method was to use a manifold to presurize the reactor and control output with a needle valve. I see the new preferred method is using a pump.

Is it best to maintain a constant efluent ph and then control amount dosed or maintain the dose and alter the efluent ph?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[shakacuz]

awesome questions! following along as i plan for a future build. still questioning kalk vs reactor vs dosing

 

[PeterC99]

Your questions need context before they can answered.

How big & old is your aquarium setup?

What are the Alk & Calcium needs of your aquarium (present and future expectations)?

Why the choice of a calcium reactor over dosing 2 part?

Why the need for Kalk?

What other method/choices have you considered.

 

[Zero_Cool]

Your questions need context before they can answered.

How big & old is your aquarium setup?

What are the Alk & Calcium needs of your aquarium (present and future expectations)?

Why the choice of a calcium reactor over dosing 2 part?

Why the need for Kalk?

What other method/choices have you considered.

Thank you. Here are some answers:

235g tank and 40g sump.

Has not been set up yet (will be 8 weeks or so from now).

Plan for SPS and LPS (acans mostly). So fairly high future need expected.

Already have both the CA and Kalk reactors from prior set up (12 years ago so I have forgotten a bunch of stuff). At that time these were the most efficient way of keeping up with the needs of a larger system as the costs of 2-part get pretty extensive at higher dosing per day.

Planned to use Kalk to offset alk and stabilize ph.

Ca reactor for calcium and trace elements.

I had not considered any other methods as I already have the equipment.

 

[PeterC99]

Thank you. Here are some answers:

235g tank and 40g sump.

Has not been set up yet (will be 8 weeks or so from now).

Plan for SPS and LPS (acans mostly). So fairly high future need expected.

Already have both the CA and Kalk reactors from prior set up (12 years ago so I have forgotten a bunch of stuff). At that time these were the most efficient way of keeping up with the needs of a larger system as the costs of 2-part get pretty extensive at higher dosing per day.

Planned to use Kalk to offset alk and stabilize ph.

Ca reactor for calcium and trace elements.

I had not considered any other methods as I already have the equipment.

This helps tremendously.

Since you have the Kalk reactor, that’s the place to start. This will meet your initial needs for Alk, Calc, & pH needs for quite awhile. When the Kalk reactor no longer keeps up with your coral needs, then it will be time to bring the calcium reactor online.

You won’t need the Kalk reactor till you start adding corals (figure around 3 to 6 months after initial startup).

 

[Zero_Cool]

Thank you. Yes, corals are a ways off.

I am planning the plumbing out now as well. Is it best to use the peristolic DOS pump for kalk when needed or use the ato?

 

[PeterC99]

Thank you. Yes, corals are a ways off.

I am planning the plumbing out now as well. Is it best to use the peristolic DOS pump for kalk when needed or use the ato?

Best is debatable. Either method works and depends on your situation.

I actually gave up on Kalk; found it very difficult to keep consistent. Went to a recirculating CO2 scrubber and much happier. pH consistently between 8.35 and 8.5 - and that’s with my Calcium reactor putting in low pH effluent to my sump.

Many ways to run a successful aquarium. Secret is to figure out which works best for you.