Kalk Reactor Woes

[epon]

Ive got 2 reactors being fed off a single 32g rodi vessel on the floor with a litermeter and a rpm. Both reactors are stirred and feed triggered with a dual outlet timer for the ability to consistently stir and not worry about dosing too soon(timer creep). Both litermeter pumps are 5' above the ground. At 3' both reactors sit on a shelf and reactor 1 is a geo and doses to a sump sitting at 15" off the ground and a 10' run of 1/4" line with no issues.

Reactor 2 (Pic attached) is a DIY that pressurizes and exits out the top. The run to this sump is 35' and the sump is 12" off the ground. I get leaks at the top o-ring seal when placed after the litermeter and I get a lack of siphon (leaky oring) when placed before the litermeter.

The o-ring is a 6.5" size, no obvious tears and lubed with silicone. I'm not finding a replacement with my google foo for the 6.5" if anyone knows of one?

The only thing I can figure out (if I want to leave the litermeter and rpm in place) is to put the second reactor very near the sump with a very short output line to minimize pressure in the chamber. This causes the need to fab a 30' extension cable (or move the timer halfway between the two) for the stir or get a second litermeter and timer for the stir near the second tank. Or get a second reactor, maybe an overflow type so as long as the top of the reactor is higher than the sump it will always drain (given no clogs in the 30' run)

Ugh halp?

[epon]

I did swap reactor positions and got a back siphoning condition with the 10' run. I suppose another option is to locate the DIY kalk reactor on or near the floor for the 10' run tank.

[epon]

Appears moving the DIY unit to the floor (nearly level with sump) on the 10' run results in no leaks and no siphoning and I can even reach the timer to plug in the stirrer. Maybe this thread will help someone figure theirs out. Also added a check valve to the inlet of the second (higher ) reactor since its above the water level of the rodi vessel.

[bif24701]

I would ditch all that stuff and just set the litermeter to add Kalk on a timed schedule every half hour. I mix my Kalk in a 32 Brute once every few weeks and that keeps things super stable.


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[tkeracer619]

You can go to any tubing/hose supply house and have the oring made. Ace hardware can also probably do it.

[epon]

I like having a dedicated freshwater container, I suppose I could go that route and add another vessel and a powerhead at the bottom to stir once a day. Seems like it would make a mess as it mixes with air. Currently this is working albeit with a loud RPM ... think I need the new style since its near where I spend a lot of time and the noise is a bit much.

[bif24701]

Originally Posted by epon

I like having a dedicated freshwater container, I suppose I could go that route and add another vessel and a powerhead at the bottom to stir once a day. Seems like it would make a mess as it mixes with air. Currently this is working albeit with a loud RPM ... think I need the new style since its near where I spend a lot of time and the noise is a bit much.

No, once you fill and mix it your done. You don't ever want to disturb it. I fill my Brute, add Kalk and stir for a few minutes that's it, then put a lid on it. I use a BRS 50ml pump that turns on for 4min every half hour. Has worked flawlessly for 1+year and absolute stable. No switches or floats to get stuck, no over or under dose. Once it's mixed it stays the same and doesn't change concentration. You just need to figure out how much need to be added daily to keep your salinity perfect. Only took me about 3-4 days with my salinity probe, just make minor adjustments until the salinity doesn't change. It's perfect, I never have to worry about it. I might up grade some day and put a switch in it to tell me when it's low, but never for controlling it.


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[epon]

I should have known better ... dosed itself down below the intake tube even with a check valve in the pull config. Litermeter spins and no pressure builds. Changing to push with fingers crossed.

[bif24701]

Originally Posted by epon

I should have known better ... dosed itself down below the intake tube even with a check valve in the pull config. Litermeter spins and no pressure builds. Changing to push with fingers crossed.

With a BRS doser there is no risk of siphon, just a tube intake 1" from the bottom straight to the pump then a tube straight to the sump. I use a magnetic tube holder to keep the intake in place at the bottom so that I never pick up the stuff on the bottom or so it will not move to the top and just suck air.

I find that in this hobby where stability and RELIABILITY are more important that simple is just better. Simple systems that have less components to fail or be faulty.


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[epon]

Absolutely agreed... I guess Ive just been shy of the mess an unsealed vessel of kalk makes. Both reactors currently working, seems the push config was what it needed to keep it feeding.