Kalkwasser Reactor Below Tank - Is it possible?

[trevorhiller]

I'm currently using Kalkwasser in my ATO reservoir and was curious about a "cleaner" solution. Is there any way to have a kalk reactor (or similar solution) that is below the level the of the tank? Most kalk reactors seem to overflow into a sump, but I have an all in one tank with no real space around it to accommodate something like that.

I'd like to keep my ATO pump out of the kalkwasser solution if possible, but this would require the kalkwasser reactor to be below the tank next to my reservoir on the floor (about 36" below the tank). I suppose it would have to a be a sealed unit or have a tall "exhaust" side tube to feed into the tank.

Anyone done something like this?

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

If your Kalk Reactor is sealed, wouldn’t your ATO Pump push water into the Reactor and Kalk out the Reactor?

 

[MGarrison]

You would need a pressurized Kalk Reactor. The only one that I know of is Geos.

 

[Water Dog]

GEO’s reef and MRC make a pressurized Kalk reactor. Although not a reactor, I believe the Tunze 5074 Kalk dispenser is pressurized as well.

 

[MichaelReefer]

I have a Kalk Reactor in my stand, feeds into my return pump area in sump. Runs off an X1 pump.

 

[trevorhiller]

If your Kalk Reactor is sealed, wouldn’t your ATO Pump push water into the Reactor and Kalk out the Reactor?

Yes, I just didn't know if a pressurized reactor existed. I don't want to trade pump maintanence for a wet floor.

 

[trevorhiller]

I have a Kalk Reactor in my stand, feeds into my return pump area in sump. Runs off an X1 pump.

I have an X1 pump for my All For Reef dosing, but was looking for options to use the existing ATO pump

 

[oreolk]

I assume you're dosing kalk for pH, since you are already dosing All For Reef. On my 20 gallon frag tank, I run an X1 with kalk in a dosing container. Just dose what you would be evaporating or a little less. The ATO can pick up the slack. I do the same method on a 320 display using a 10 gallon ATO converted to a dosing container with a neptune DOS.

 

[trevorhiller]

I assume you're dosing kalk for pH, since you are already dosing All For Reef. On my 20 gallon frag tank, I run an X1 with kalk in a dosing container. Just dose what you would be evaporating or a little less. The ATO can pick up the slack. I do the same method on a 320 display using a 10 gallon ATO converted to a dosing container with a neptune DOS.

Right. My pH started off around 7.8, so I added Kalk and a CO2 scrubber. It sounds like adding another X1 would be cheaper than MRC or Geos - they are both pretty $$$ options. I could replace a lot of Tunze ATO pumps before they paid themselves off.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I bought these, off of Amazon, proved to be reliable pumps. You could swap them out, while soaking one in Citric Acid.

2 Pack 63 GPH (240L/H ) Submersible Water Pump DC 12V 3.6W 9.8ft Lift for Fish Tank Pumping, Rockery Water, Bonsai Fountain​

 

[jabx1]

I have a 5 gallon bucket of saturated Kalk water next to my tank and use a dosing pump to pump small amount throughout the day.
I clean tubing w vinegar and replace the kalk about once a month.

 

[Midrats]

As mentioned look into the Tunze kalkwasser dispenser since you already use the Osmolator. It gets mounted right inside your ATO reservoir so no chances of leaks and it's a tidy install. Personally I prefer still reservoirs with dosing pumps over Nilsen reactors, it's just easier and cleaner, plus you have more control over the strength of the solution.

 

[trevorhiller]

As mentioned look into the Tunze kalkwasser dispenser since you already use the Osmolator. It gets mounted right inside your ATO reservoir so no chances of leaks and it's a tidy install. Personally I prefer still reservoirs with dosing pumps over Nilsen reactors, it's just easier and cleaner, plus you have more control over the strength of the solution.

I looked at the Tunze 5074. I think this is kind of what I would like. I may try to DIY something in the future. I can't believe they charge $100 for what is essentially a water bottle with plumbing fittings lol

 

[trevorhiller]

I just saw this on BRS and realized it might work for what I had in mind and for a decent price. Just in case anyone finds this thread in the future and wants to try something similar.

Seems you could load up the chamber with a few inches of kalkwasser and then place the outlet of the osmolator into the bottom (valved fitting) and have the outlet going to the tank coming from the top of the chamber. The osmolator turning on would stir up the kalkwasser and since the chamber is sealed it would pump the fluid up the tubing and into the aquarium.

 

[GSnake]

I just saw this on BRS and realized it might work for what I had in mind and for a decent price. Just in case anyone finds this thread in the future and wants to try something similar.

Seems you could load up the chamber with a few inches of kalkwasser and then place the outlet of the osmolator into the bottom (valved fitting) and have the outlet going to the tank coming from the top of the chamber. The osmolator turning on would stir up the kalkwasser and since the chamber is sealed it would pump the fluid up the tubing and into the aquarium.

Did u end up trying this. What did you do for the sumpless tank

 

[cpschult]

I have a 5 gallon bucket of saturated Kalk water next to my tank and use a dosing pump to pump small amount throughout the day.
I clean tubing w vinegar and replace the kalk about once a month.

This is what I do on my 25 gallon aio except for replace kalk monthly. A full buckets lasts me a long time lol

 

[trevorhiller]

Did u end up trying this. What did you do for the sumpless tank

I did not. I ended up with Kalkwasser in my ATO water for a bit, but I ended up upgrading to a bigger tank.