DIY Kalk dispenser help wanted

[bmk]

Hi
I am going to try and make i Kalk dispenser (similar to the Tunze) this weekend but cant seem to find any bottles that are strong enough plastic. I have managed to find a Lucozade bottle that is the ideal size/shape and is also strong enough but it is made from 'orange' coloured plastic/pvc, just wondering if it will be ok to use it (scared it might leech something when sat in Kalk water).

Many thanks in advance.

Barry

[Sk8r]

I doubt it would leach...but what are you using for a topoff reservoir? That would be easiest. Lid it, creating a gasket of sponge for the hose/power cord, put a shelf in it for the pump to keep it off the bottom (I used a round-cut bit of lighting grid) dump in 2 tsp per gallon of kalk powder, and refill at need. Dosage doesn't matter: ro/di naturally dissolves only what it can carry, and new ro/di will dissolve what didn't dissolve the last time. I do reduce the 1/2 outflow hose to 1/4 inch.
That way you've got a good big lot of kalk going and won't have to do anything about it (or fuss with a cranky stirrer) until the topoff needs a refill. That one stir does the trick, no need for further stirring.

[bmk]

Hi Sk8r
I read your article last week and decided to give it a try last weekend, I am going to do water testing this weekend.

The reason I wanted to try the dispenser way of dosing was to save the life of the pump (Tunze osmolator ATO in a 22L RO/DI reservoir) as I work away and the girlfriend looks after the tank, and, if/when the pump failed I wont be there to replace it straight away.

Barry

[bmk]

Bump

[Sk8r]

Ah.
THose are pricey.
Tell you what, first thing to do is to give the gf a short lesson in how to change out a pump in a crisis. tell her its a rubber glove operation, pull plug here, get screwdriver here, etc, and that if she ever has to do it you will take her to the chick flick of her choosing or buy her new earrings, whatever works. Write her out the instructions and put them somewhere she can find them, plus the type of pump, and what can sub for it and where to buy it.

That done, you'll at least know your tank will be taken care of. Outside of a sensible fear of water, electricity, and screwdrivers---she probably is worried about doing something wrong. Promise her the evening out for learning it, again if she ever has to use that knowledge, and she'll likely come around.

but on to your problem: there is absolutely nothing aggressive about kalk powder, in terms of eating at anything. It's pretty inert---more inert than ro/di water, which is hungry stuff and wants to dissolve whatever it hits---except it's fairly impotent against metals and plastics. So that bit should be safe: a bottle meant to hold something acidic like a soft drink should not dissolve or leach stuff with ro/di, which is the big problem. So I'd say you're safe to go ahead with your plan.

[bmk]

Thanks Sk8r
I will attempt to make my 'Kalk dispenser' tomorrow and give it a try, if it doesnt work out I will revert back to your original idea and buy a spare pump just incase. I realise that doing it with the dispenser I will always have a 'saturated' dose and will have no control over it. I will let you know how it goes.

PS a spare pump costs £14 plus postage here in the UK

Barry

[Sk8r]

Ouch. If you need to do it, I've found the Maxijet 1200 is a reliable pump for kalk: the only thing likely to wear out is the impeller and those you can buy.

[sjm817]

I use Aqualifters for kalk topoff. They last for years, and are ~ $12 in the US. If you have to replace one, you dont even have to get your hands wet.