Kalkwasser and ATO

D_Rock · 12/28/2017, 11:42 AM

Hello!

I recently started to treat my tank with Kalkwasser by applying small doses to my ATO. Since my evaporation is out of this world I rely on this system heavily.

Recently I noticed my ATO pump clogging due to the Kalkwasser. I do not have the pump touching the bottom of the bucket but still am running into this.

Has anyone encountered this or have any suggestions?

Thank you

nereefpat · 12/28/2017, 11:52 AM

What kind of pump? Most pumps can't handle full strength kalk.

D_Rock · 12/28/2017, 12:19 PM

Its the stock pump that came with the Tunze Auto top off system.

TokiHacker · 12/28/2017, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D_Rock

Its the stock pump that came with the Tunze Auto top off system.

Yeah... that probably will cause some problems. I use a magdrive (The old ones) and it seems to be invincible. It has been going and still going now for 5-6 years.

hkgar · 12/28/2017, 01:50 PM

You might consider using a Kalk reactor rather than adding to the ATO storage. I add 1 tsp/gallon to my 24 gallon brute with no problems, but I use a Cole Parmer Masterflex and pump out through a bottom bulkhead into 1/4 tubing.

D_Rock · 12/28/2017, 02:04 PM

hkgar, thank you for the info. Im newish to the hobby. Could you break this down a bit further for me? Im not familiar with a kalk reactor or how to add that to my current flow.

hkgar · 12/28/2017, 02:35 PM

Here you go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYxrlv0r8hs

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video...er-demo-video/

Mark Bianco · 12/28/2017, 02:43 PM

Tunze approved

https://www.amazon.com/Tunze-USA-507.../dp/B000N10MSQ

D_Rock · 12/28/2017, 02:57 PM

WOW! Mind Blown! Thank you for all the info. I have some research to do now.

bearpeidog · 12/28/2017, 10:52 PM

I actually went to a kalk stirrer. No pumps. I have it plumbed to a liter meter and set the amount I want dosed in 24 hours. I then let the ATO do its thing as it needs to. It seems very stable throughout the day using this method. I realize this doesn’t answer your question but in this setup, there is no pump in the kalwasser - just the LM3 pushing in RO water.

scuzy · 12/29/2017, 02:54 AM

Kalk reactor is a good way to add kalkwasser you just pump the top off water into it.

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italquam · 01/22/2018, 08:19 PM

Does anyone ever experience a overdose of Kalk and run into a tank crash??

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

scuzy · 01/22/2018, 08:39 PM

There's plenty of those stories. You just got to have a controller and other failsafe setup. Cut out due to pH or mechanical float.

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italquam · 01/23/2018, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuzy

There's plenty of those stories. You just got to have a controller and other failsafe setup. Cut out due to pH or mechanical float.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

How do you create the fail safe ? I use a Tunze ATO and I am thinking about getting Kalk reactor ......how would i set it up to prevent an overdose??

scuzy · 01/23/2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italquam

How do you create the fail safe ? I use a Tunze ATO and I am thinking about getting Kalk reactor ......how would i set it up to prevent an overdose??

Using a mechanical float on the output so it cannot ATO over a limit is one. Having your controller monitoring pH and shutting off ATO pump or a solenoid is another.

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italquam · 01/23/2018, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuzy

Using a mechanical float on the output so it cannot ATO over a limit is one. Having your controller monitoring pH and shutting off ATO pump or a solenoid is another.

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So is that something I could program into an apex using a float switch or ph Alert through apex

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AlSimmons · 01/23/2018, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italquam

Does anyone ever experience a overdose of Kalk and run into a tank crash??

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

I've never had a crash due to this, but the ATO has overdosed the tank 2 or 3 times over the years without any problems. This was all my fault though. I just forgot to unplug the ATO when I was doing a water change. The tank looked like milk for 6-8 hours or so and then it slowly cleared up. The link below might help.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm

italquam · 01/23/2018, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlSimmons

I've never had a crash due to this, but the ATO has overdosed the tank 2 or 3 times over the years without any problems. This was all my fault though. I just forgot to unplug the ATO when I was doing a water change. The tank looked like milk for 6-8 hours or so and then it slowly cleared up. The link below might help.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm

Are you using a Kalk reactor? Do you have any pictures of your setup using Kalk??

scuzy · 01/23/2018, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italquam

So is that something I could program into an apex using a float switch or ph Alert through apex

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

Use something like this in the out put line

So your water in sump can never rise above it. If it does it closes the ATO line.

Then program apex to check if pH > 8.3 then turn off the ATO pump if you are doing from ATO. This is assuming it's done through ATO.

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italquam · 01/23/2018, 11:32 AM

I use the Tunze ATO as of now but not in conjunction with my Apex....not sure if Tunze ATO can be used with Energy bar so i might be better off with a float valve

AlSimmons · 01/23/2018, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italquam

Are you using a Kalk reactor? Do you have any pictures of your setup using Kalk??

No reactor, just an Ultralife float switch and a 5 gallon bucket right next to the tank. Here's a picture of the sump when the tank was first set up. You can see the float valve attached to the back glass and the vinyl hosing on the right is coming from the 5 gallon reservoir. Just a very simple set up that works quite well actually.

italquam · 01/23/2018, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlSimmons

No reactor, just an Ultralife float switch and a 5 gallon bucket right next to the tank. Here's a picture of the sump when the tank was first set up. You can see the float valve attached to the back glass and the vinyl hosing on the right is coming from the 5 gallon reservoir. Just a very simple set up that works quite well actually.

I don't see the picture, did it not attach???

italquam · 01/23/2018, 11:41 AM

never mind now i can see picture...lol

12/28/2017, 11:42 AM	#1
D_Rock Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Mount Kisco, NY Posts: 65	Kalkwasser and ATO Hello! I recently started to treat my tank with Kalkwasser by applying small doses to my ATO. Since my evaporation is out of this world I rely on this system heavily. Recently I noticed my ATO pump clogging due to the Kalkwasser. I do not have the pump touching the bottom of the bucket but still am running into this. Has anyone encountered this or have any suggestions? Thank you

12/28/2017, 11:52 AM	#2
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	What kind of pump? Most pumps can't handle full strength kalk. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

12/28/2017, 12:19 PM	#3
D_Rock Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Mount Kisco, NY Posts: 65	Its the stock pump that came with the Tunze Auto top off system. __________________ Derick Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon, Protein Skimmer, UV Sterilizeer

12/28/2017, 01:50 PM	#5
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	You might consider using a Kalk reactor rather than adding to the ATO storage. I add 1 tsp/gallon to my 24 gallon brute with no problems, but I use a Cole Parmer Masterflex and pump out through a bottom bulkhead into 1/4 tubing. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

12/28/2017, 02:04 PM	#6
D_Rock Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Mount Kisco, NY Posts: 65	hkgar, thank you for the info. Im newish to the hobby. Could you break this down a bit further for me? Im not familiar with a kalk reactor or how to add that to my current flow. __________________ Derick Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon, Protein Skimmer, UV Sterilizeer

12/28/2017, 02:35 PM	#7
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Here you go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYxrlv0r8hs https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video...er-demo-video/ __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

12/28/2017, 02:43 PM	#8
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	Tunze approved https://www.amazon.com/Tunze-USA-507.../dp/B000N10MSQ

12/28/2017, 02:57 PM	#9
D_Rock Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Mount Kisco, NY Posts: 65	WOW! Mind Blown! Thank you for all the info. I have some research to do now. __________________ Derick Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon, Protein Skimmer, UV Sterilizeer

12/28/2017, 10:52 PM	#10
bearpeidog Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Milton, Vermont Posts: 560	I actually went to a kalk stirrer. No pumps. I have it plumbed to a liter meter and set the amount I want dosed in 24 hours. I then let the ATO do its thing as it needs to. It seems very stable throughout the day using this method. I realize this doesn’t answer your question but in this setup, there is no pump in the kalwasser - just the LM3 pushing in RO water. __________________ Bill Current Tank Info: 180 gallon Starfire, 3-Radion G1, Tunze with 7091 Controller, 2- ecotech mp40s, MP60, Panworld 250 return pump, TunzeATO, XP2000ss Reef Octopus Skimmer, Theiling rollermat

12/29/2017, 02:54 AM	#11
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	Kalk reactor is a good way to add kalkwasser you just pump the top off water into it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

01/22/2018, 08:19 PM	#12
italquam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 384	Does anyone ever experience a overdose of Kalk and run into a tank crash?? Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk __________________ "Steel Curtain" Current Tank Info: 110 gallon Oceanic Fish Only with Live rock, Purple Tang,2- Oscellaris Clown, Foxface Lo, Royal Gramma, and Coral Beauty

01/22/2018, 08:39 PM	#13
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	There's plenty of those stories. You just got to have a controller and other failsafe setup. Cut out due to pH or mechanical float. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

01/23/2018, 11:32 AM	#20
italquam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 384	I use the Tunze ATO as of now but not in conjunction with my Apex....not sure if Tunze ATO can be used with Energy bar so i might be better off with a float valve __________________ "Steel Curtain" Current Tank Info: 110 gallon Oceanic Fish Only with Live rock, Purple Tang,2- Oscellaris Clown, Foxface Lo, Royal Gramma, and Coral Beauty

01/23/2018, 11:41 AM	#23
italquam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 384	never mind now i can see picture...lol __________________ "Steel Curtain" Current Tank Info: 110 gallon Oceanic Fish Only with Live rock, Purple Tang,2- Oscellaris Clown, Foxface Lo, Royal Gramma, and Coral Beauty