KalK - ATO - ???

jeepboy_90 · 01/04/2009, 09:20 PM

I have read many books and just about every post on here and other forums about dosing with Kalk water in your ATO. I just want to make sure I am on the right track to setup my new ATO.

Option 1) Run two setups. One a ATO with RO/DI water and in conjuntion a timed aqualifter with Kalk water, not to exceed threshhold limits.(litler - 1/4t) So maybe have the timer on for 5 min 4 times a day. Something to that effect.

Option 2) Run the ATO and just put Kalk water in the reservoir and make sure that my floats are set to less than the threshold limits.

Tx

chris4869 · 01/04/2009, 09:44 PM

I would go with option 2. Keep it simple.

I'm not sure what you mean by setting your floats to less than the threshold limits in option 2. Care to elaborate?

patsfan1130 · 01/04/2009, 09:49 PM

I use option 2. Been working great

JohnnyBassMan · 01/04/2009, 09:51 PM

Option 2 sound good to me.

jeepboy_90 · 01/04/2009, 09:53 PM

As for the threshold limits, you dont want to does over a liter per hour of solution. So make sure the floats are set a less than a liter when they are activated. Does that help?

Playa-1 · 01/04/2009, 11:08 PM

I think you should use a standard ATO and then either drip the Kalk or use a dosing pump to deliver the Kalk. Something like the litermeter should work nicely if you want to go with a dosing pump. You've got lots of options.

There are many ways to get the job done but some of them are much safer then others. I'm not a big fan of float valve filling for Kalk as it's possible to introduce too much Kalk at one time and shoot your ph thru the roof. The Key to a successful kalk program is to have controls and/or safeguards in place.

I use a controller and a dosing pump to deliver a kalk solution from a 30 gallon Kalk reservoir. This acts as my ATO and kalk delivery system. The controller is set to deliver measured amounts thru-out the night that accounts for most of my evaporation. A float switch wired to the controller will also activate the dosing pump to topoff the sump if the water level drops. I've programmed the controller to over-ride the dosing pump if the ph exceeds 8.4 and then it will resume it's regularly scheduled program once the ph drops back below 8.4.

01/04/2009, 09:20 PM	#1
jeepboy_90 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: USA-CA Posts: 75	KalK - ATO - ??? I have read many books and just about every post on here and other forums about dosing with Kalk water in your ATO. I just want to make sure I am on the right track to setup my new ATO. Option 1) Run two setups. One a ATO with RO/DI water and in conjuntion a timed aqualifter with Kalk water, not to exceed threshhold limits.(litler - 1/4t) So maybe have the timer on for 5 min 4 times a day. Something to that effect. Option 2) Run the ATO and just put Kalk water in the reservoir and make sure that my floats are set to less than the threshold limits. Tx

01/04/2009, 09:49 PM	#3
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	I use option 2. Been working great __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

01/04/2009, 09:44 PM	#2
chris4869 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,006	I would go with option 2. Keep it simple. I'm not sure what you mean by setting your floats to less than the threshold limits in option 2. Care to elaborate?

01/04/2009, 09:51 PM	#4
JohnnyBassMan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 244	Option 2 sound good to me.

01/04/2009, 09:53 PM	#5
jeepboy_90 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: USA-CA Posts: 75	As for the threshold limits, you dont want to does over a liter per hour of solution. So make sure the floats are set a less than a liter when they are activated. Does that help?

01/04/2009, 11:08 PM	#6
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I think you should use a standard ATO and then either drip the Kalk or use a dosing pump to deliver the Kalk. Something like the litermeter should work nicely if you want to go with a dosing pump. You've got lots of options. There are many ways to get the job done but some of them are much safer then others. I'm not a big fan of float valve filling for Kalk as it's possible to introduce too much Kalk at one time and shoot your ph thru the roof. The Key to a successful kalk program is to have controls and/or safeguards in place. I use a controller and a dosing pump to deliver a kalk solution from a 30 gallon Kalk reservoir. This acts as my ATO and kalk delivery system. The controller is set to deliver measured amounts thru-out the night that accounts for most of my evaporation. A float switch wired to the controller will also activate the dosing pump to topoff the sump if the water level drops. I've programmed the controller to over-ride the dosing pump if the ph exceeds 8.4 and then it will resume it's regularly scheduled program once the ph drops back below 8.4.