Kalk Stirrer and Pump?

[DavidRZ]

I'm planning a kalk stirrer, likely a K1 from Avast Marine, to add to my system. My question is about a pump to use. Ideally I'd run a constant drip as that seems to be the preferred method so accurate and consistent dosing will be very important.

What is the popular pump for this application? Is the Avast unit good or is the IceCap unit better with the magnetic stirrer?

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

I'm planning a kalk stirrer, likely a K1 from Avast Marine, to add to my system. My question is about a pump to use. Ideally I'd run a constant drip as that seems to be the preferred method so accurate and consistent dosing will be very important.

What is the popular pump for this application? Is the Avast unit good or is the IceCap unit better with the magnetic stirrer?

I use this on my K1

However, you can use the BRS pump if you have an outlet timer.

 

[dwest]

I use a Spectrapure liter meter 3 and a K2 stirrer for my system. Expensive but very reliable and almost a constant supply of RODI (small amounts about every 10 minutes).

 

[1ocean]

Just want to share what I been finding out about Kalk topic. First I do use it as my foundation and I use a ecotech versa dosing pump.. I have read so much on this topic, stir or not stir, and I have found most lean to NOT stir it again once it has mixed, so I mix mine, let it settle in a separate container and then siphon out the clear into my dosing container. Even on the product label it says not to restir or mix again...I also use a second container for rodi water... I replace rodi and kalk at equal parts...I figures out i lose about 1/2 gallon a day to evap...I did not buy a stirrer or use one as I feel it is just money thrown away....Please take into account this is just what I do and I can be right or wrong and with anything, we all have the right to offer suggestions of what works and does not and it is up to everyones freedom to make their own choice... Have a great day///

 

[DavidRZ]

The FX-STP seems to be what many use, but is it worth the extra money? Could I just go with a Versa or X1 Pro T instead?

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Just want to share what I been finding out about Kalk topic. First I do use it as my foundation and I use a ecotech versa dosing pump.. I have read so much on this topic, stir or not stir, and I have found most lean to NOT stir it again once it has mixed, so I mix mine, let it settle in a separate container and then siphon out the clear into my dosing container. Even on the product label it says not to restir or mix again...I also use a second container for rodi water... I replace rodi and kalk at equal parts...I figures out i lose about 1/2 gallon a day to evap...I did not buy a stirrer or use one as I feel it is just money thrown away....Please take into account this is just what I do and I can be right or wrong and with anything, we all have the right to offer suggestions of what works and does not and it is up to everyones freedom to make their own choice... Have a great day///

The problem with this method is that the Kalk will eventually fall out of suspension. If you are going through your resevoir of kalk mixture quickly..then generally a who cares event on to stir or not to stir. But over the course of a few days, the potency of the fluent will fall and thus change your tanks supply. With a kalk stirrer, it keeps the kalk in suspension on a reasonably consistent basis.

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

The FX-STP seems to be what many use, but is it worth the extra money? Could I just go with a Versa or X1 Pro T instead?

I had the X1 and loved it. It honestly comes down to how much you are dosing. If you are doing LARGE doses, the X1 can only do 12 doses per day. As such, you might be dumping in a lot of Kalk at one time. If you are doing relatively small doses...you should be fine with the X1

 

[DavidRZ]

That is an interesting consideration @BroccoliFarmer, and honestly one that I won't truly know till I start fine tuning the Kalk on my system. Then it will change as I add coral of course.

Will the Versa pump give me a bit more flexibility?

Other consideration with the FX-STP is the size of it. Seems massive to put in my stand.

I had the X1 and loved it. It honestly comes down to how much you are dosing. If you are doing LARGE doses, the X1 can only do 12 doses per day. As such, you might be dumping in a lot of Kalk at one time. If you are doing relatively small doses...you should be fine with the X1

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

That is an interesting consideration @BroccoliFarmer, and honestly one that I won't truly know till I start fine tuning the Kalk on my system. Then it will change as I add coral of course.

Will the Versa pump give me a bit more flexibility?

Other consideration with the FX-STP is the size of it. Seems massive to put in my stand.

If you are worried, just get this. Cheap, small, reliable and you controller it with an outlet timer. If you have a apex, you just just do it in there. Else plenty of timers on amazon.

BRS 2 Part Doser - 1.1 mL per minute

Why does BRS recommend this? The BRS 1.1 mL dosing pump is a very cost-effective yet long lasting stand-alone dosing pump perfect for trace elements and 2 part. By hooking the pump up to a simple timer or aquarium controller they can be one of the most inexpensive ways to get into an automated...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

If you are worried, just get this. Cheap, small, reliable and you controller it with an outlet timer. If you have a apex, you just just do it in there. Else plenty of timers on amazon.

BRS 2 Part Doser - 1.1 mL per minute

Why does BRS recommend this? The BRS 1.1 mL dosing pump is a very cost-effective yet long lasting stand-alone dosing pump perfect for trace elements and 2 part. By hooking the pump up to a simple timer or aquarium controller they can be one of the most inexpensive ways to get into an automated...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Oops. wrong pump. that is too slow.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/versa-peristaltic-dosing-pump-ecotech-marine.html

 

[TX_Punisher]

Whichever pump you decide on (versa or kamoer) make sure and order an extra dosing tube assembly. You don’t want to lose flow consistency or worse and not have one on hand or the tubing to make your own.

 

[Rjramos]

I'm planning a kalk stirrer, likely a K1 from Avast Marine, to add to my system. My question is about a pump to use. Ideally I'd run a constant drip as that seems to be the preferred method so accurate and consistent dosing will be very important.

What is the popular pump for this application? Is the Avast unit good or is the IceCap unit better with the magnetic stirrer?

This is the pump I am running with the avast K1. For the price you can’t beat it. Especially if you plan is to run constant at a slow rate. I have it set constant at 2ml/min. If you plan on periodic dosing like at night only, I would say no, you can’t set it up this way. The avast stirrer has been working great so far. I bought the build yourself version for a bit cheaper.

 

[polyppal]

I use this on my K1

However, you can use the BRS pump if you have an outlet timer.

These are running about $200 new on eBay RN!

 

[jetskiwilly]

DIY...poor mans option. I use a jebao 4 head doser. It runs at a dribble, faster than kalk can be dosed. So I run it to cut soda bottle with airline and manual drip controller. Jeboa runs every hour for about 40ml....fills bottle, then bottle slowly drips.

 

[1ocean]

The problem with this method is that the Kalk will eventually fall out of suspension. If you are going through your resevoir of kalk mixture quickly..then generally a who cares event on to stir or not to stir. But over the course of a few days, the potency of the fluent will fall and thus change your tanks supply. With a kalk stirrer, it keeps the kalk in suspension on a reasonably consistent basis.

i don't want to get into a debate over this. From what I have read and talking manufactures, once kalk powder is mixed it stays saturated and there is no need to restir it at all UNLESS you add more fresh rodi water. Which I do not.