Keep and run my kalk stirrer?

[ChrisQ0904]

Not sure if this is the proper spot for this and if it is not then I apologize.

Anyone using a kalk stirrer? How do you like it? I have an avast kalk stirrer that came with my new tank and was never shown any interest from others to buy. So now I am thinking I should just keep it and start running it but I have never ran one so not sure if its a good move or bad.

Thanks for the help in advanced.

 

[ca1ore]

Have run Kalk on my reefs since the beginning. Built a whole series of DIY monstrosities ..... then finally bought the Avast. Works really well and dead easy.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

That's the brand i have, I believe it's the bigger model

 

[ReefEco]

Hey Chris, Avast makes good stuff. Only caution with the kalk stirrer is the obvious concern about over-dosing kalk if something fails on, but they are convenient and low-maintenance. I prefer dosing kalk just like you would with any additive, with a doser, so you can track inputs and how it effects your levels, rather than connecting the kalk reactor to your top off water input (not sure if you are doing that or not). If your evaporation varies, so will your calcium and alk...

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Hey Chris, Avast makes good stuff. Only caution with the kalk stirrer is the obvious concern about over-dosing kalk if something fails on, but they are convenient and low-maintenance. I prefer dosing kalk just like you would with any additive, with a doser, so you can track inputs and how it effects your levels, rather than connecting the kalk reactor to your top off water input (not sure if you are doing that or not). If your evaporation varies, so will your calcium and alk...

After reading a bit I decided if I do keep it then I will put it on a BRS 1.1ml pump or something similar and run it at night. If I did my math right I can run it for 12hrs and it will add .2 gallons overnight which is a little less than what I evaporate but I think that would be fine. If not then please correct me.

 

[ReefEco]

Yup, that is a good way to do it - and essentially functions as a reservoir then. Just set up the doser to pull from the stirrer, rather than push through it - so in the event it gets clogged, you won't build up pressure. ( I forget if the Avast is a completely sealed reactor - if not, ignore this). Also, if you are using this as your sole CA and Alk supplement, you might dose at least a little during the day to keep levels up. If not, your alk especially can drop quite a bit during the day as corals consume it without any additions.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Yup, that is a good way to do it - and essentially functions as a reservoir then. Just set up the doser to pull from the stirrer, rather than push through it - so in the event it gets clogged, you won't build up pressure. ( I forget if the Avast is a completely sealed reactor - if not, ignore this). Also, if you are using this as your sole CA and Alk supplement, you might dose at least a little during the day to keep levels up. If not, your alk especially can drop quite a bit during the day as corals consume it without any additions.

I have a full 2part system running on my current tank and once I transfer the corals over then the 2 part will transfer as well. I'm going from 75g to 187g.