How to stop siphoning from Kalk Reactor?

nanoguy · 12/04/2008, 02:18 PM

I have a Geo Kalk reactor that is placed on top of a modified gorilla rack. I'm having siphoning issues with the unit. Even when the aqualifter pump turns off the reactor continues to drip....it's operating like a gravity feed unit. Is there some type of check valve I can attach to the tubing to stop this when the pump turns off? I've attached a pic of the unit on the stand.....the feed line is on the right side of the sump.

jnb · 12/04/2008, 03:19 PM

Its feeding down to the tank below? - in my experience and many others as read on RC, check valves leak when they get ready to (ie not perfect) -

but perhaps get a hose or PVC (I like clear PVC) that is open at the top (not sealed to reactor exit) and slightly above the reactor to put the kalk exit hose in to so no siphon is enabled - I do this with my ato whose tank would very well otherwise siphon

liquidlunch · 12/04/2008, 03:20 PM

Before I went with a Litermeter, I had to buy one of these gizmos.

http://www.happcontrols.com/vending/acesor/check.htm

mc-cro · 12/04/2008, 08:02 PM

You have to have the output line go higher than the resovoir and the reactor at some point and then dump into the sump. otherwise its just a syphon tube.
I had that problem until I set my reactor on the floor, and then ran the top off lineback up abover the water resovoir(still on the shelf) and then back down to sump.

you wont be able to use a check valve, because then you couldnt pump water that direction.

nanoguy · 12/04/2008, 08:31 PM

Thanks for the replies. I didn't think there was a check valve for this situation of mine but wanted to get some other opinions. I will eventually get a dosing pump but the one I want just isn't within budget right now. I will probably just put the reactor on the floor until I purchase the dosing pump.

graveyardworm · 12/04/2008, 08:33 PM

I've used one of these solenoid valves for several years without fail, just hook it up so it gets powered at the same time as your aqualifter. http://autotopoff.com/products/solenoid/index.htm

nanoguy · 12/04/2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by graveyardworm
I've used one of these solenoid valves for several years without fail, just hook it up so it gets powered at the same time as your aqualifter. http://autotopoff.com/products/solenoid/index.htm

Cool.....thanks for the info and link David. I'm pick one of those guys up. The drip rate is so slow even with a failure it will not be an issue.......it will just replace my evap. Thanks!

Untamed12 · 12/05/2008, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by graveyardworm
I've used one of these solenoid valves for several years without fail, just hook it up so it gets powered at the same time as your aqualifter. http://autotopoff.com/products/solenoid/index.htm

This is exactly what I did with a similar problem. In my case, the gravity from the RO water storage was so strong that it was forcing it's way through my peristaltic pump, even when the pump was off. Now, I open the solenoid whenever the pump is running and shut the solenoid as soon as it stops.

crvz · 12/05/2008, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by graveyardworm
I've used one of these solenoid valves for several years without fail, just hook it up so it gets powered at the same time as your aqualifter. http://autotopoff.com/products/solenoid/index.htm

Those are nice, I've used them for years, but you can get them about $12 cheaper (though without the fittings and unwired) and powered with 12VDC (which are quite a bit safer) at www.mcmaster.com. Search for part 7877K5.

surge19us · 12/05/2008, 07:52 AM

On the inlet side of the reactor install a john guest "T" fitting inside the reactor as close to the top as you can get. The reactor will syphon until the T breaks the syphon in side the reactor. Ususally about 1" or less.

Jeff · 12/05/2008, 07:57 AM

I run a GEO kalk Reactor. Mine came with a checkvalve for the inout side. Did yours?

gastone · 12/05/2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jnb
Its feeding down to the tank below? - in my experience and many others as read on RC, check valves leak when they get ready to (ie not perfect) -

but perhaps get a hose or PVC (I like clear PVC) that is open at the top (not sealed to reactor exit) and slightly above the reactor to put the kalk exit hose in to so no siphon is enabled - I do this with my ato whose tank would very well otherwise siphon

Yep. Can't siphon at all this way. I can't comment on the nicer check valves, but I would guess that they will suffer from calcium carbonate build up the same way that the cheap ones do.

G.

Jeff · 12/05/2008, 11:01 AM

Agreed. I just received 4 new check valves from GEO's website. Mine last around 2-3 months before failing. I am not sure why either since they are on the freshwater side of the reactor. I cant find the plastic diaphram type at the local stores so I just order from GEO.

kevntw · 12/06/2008, 12:39 AM

Does anyone have any picture of how they break the siphon? I am having the same problem and can't figure out how to stop that.

jnb · 12/06/2008, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kevntw
Does anyone have any picture of how they break the siphon? I am having the same problem and can't figure out how to stop that.

kevntw · 12/07/2008, 05:49 PM

Thanks Nick for your picture. Are those 2 lines connected somehow? Do you use a pump to pump water in your sump? Can I see the complete picture?
Thanks again Nick

Rendos · 12/07/2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jnb
but perhaps get a hose or PVC (I like clear PVC) that is open at the top (not sealed to reactor exit) and slightly above the reactor to put the kalk exit hose in to so no siphon is enabled - I do this with my ato whose tank would very well otherwise siphon

ditto - this will work very well.

kevntw · 12/07/2008, 06:03 PM

Richard, can I see a picture of the set up you have for this please?
Thanks,
Kevin

jnb · 12/07/2008, 07:10 PM

yes, there are 2 lines going to the clear pvc - those are just 2 separate ATO's for redundancy - when I am away I try to make the system failsafe so the sitter does not have to freak. One is from a tunze ATO osmolator pump in the bottom of the rodi tank - the other one is from an aqualifter pump that is triggered my a Specturpure vacumn water level switch - no other picture will do anything but confuse - point is that none of the pumps are closed tubed down to the sump but the open pvc pipe which high point is above the rodi water tank

Quote:

Originally posted by kevntw
Thanks Nick for your picture. Are those 2 lines connected somehow? Do you use a pump to pump water in your sump? Can I see the complete picture?
Thanks again Nick

12/04/2008, 02:18 PM	#1
nanoguy OG Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 1,897	How to stop siphoning from Kalk Reactor? I have a Geo Kalk reactor that is placed on top of a modified gorilla rack. I'm having siphoning issues with the unit. Even when the aqualifter pump turns off the reactor continues to drip....it's operating like a gravity feed unit. Is there some type of check valve I can attach to the tubing to stop this when the pump turns off? I've attached a pic of the unit on the stand.....the feed line is on the right side of the sump. __________________ - JC

12/04/2008, 08:02 PM	#4
mc-cro (macro) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,238	You have to have the output line go higher than the resovoir and the reactor at some point and then dump into the sump. otherwise its just a syphon tube. I had that problem until I set my reactor on the floor, and then ran the top off lineback up abover the water resovoir(still on the shelf) and then back down to sump. you wont be able to use a check valve, because then you couldnt pump water that direction. __________________ Time is the most valuable thing you have... spend it wisely Current Tank Info: 60x26x24 AGE 3 sided starphire

12/04/2008, 08:31 PM	#5
nanoguy OG Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 1,897	Thanks for the replies. I didn't think there was a check valve for this situation of mine but wanted to get some other opinions. I will eventually get a dosing pump but the one I want just isn't within budget right now. I will probably just put the reactor on the floor until I purchase the dosing pump. __________________ - JC

12/04/2008, 08:33 PM	#6
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,251	I've used one of these solenoid valves for several years without fail, just hook it up so it gets powered at the same time as your aqualifter. http://autotopoff.com/products/solenoid/index.htm __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress

12/05/2008, 07:57 AM	#11
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	I run a GEO kalk Reactor. Mine came with a checkvalve for the inout side. Did yours? __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

12/04/2008, 03:19 PM	#2
jnb Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S.E. Florida Deerfield Beach Posts: 2,581	Its feeding down to the tank below? - in my experience and many others as read on RC, check valves leak when they get ready to (ie not perfect) - but perhaps get a hose or PVC (I like clear PVC) that is open at the top (not sealed to reactor exit) and slightly above the reactor to put the kalk exit hose in to so no siphon is enabled - I do this with my ato whose tank would very well otherwise siphon

12/04/2008, 03:20 PM	#3
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	Before I went with a Litermeter, I had to buy one of these gizmos. http://www.happcontrols.com/vending/acesor/check.htm

12/05/2008, 07:52 AM	#10
surge19us Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Willard, Oh Posts: 656	On the inlet side of the reactor install a john guest "T" fitting inside the reactor as close to the top as you can get. The reactor will syphon until the T breaks the syphon in side the reactor. Ususally about 1" or less.

12/05/2008, 11:01 AM	#13
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	Agreed. I just received 4 new check valves from GEO's website. Mine last around 2-3 months before failing. I am not sure why either since they are on the freshwater side of the reactor. I cant find the plastic diaphram type at the local stores so I just order from GEO. __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

12/06/2008, 12:39 AM	#14
kevntw Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yorba Linda, So Cal Posts: 94	Does anyone have any picture of how they break the siphon? I am having the same problem and can't figure out how to stop that.

12/07/2008, 05:49 PM	#16
kevntw Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yorba Linda, So Cal Posts: 94	Thanks Nick for your picture. Are those 2 lines connected somehow? Do you use a pump to pump water in your sump? Can I see the complete picture? Thanks again Nick

12/07/2008, 06:03 PM	#18
kevntw Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yorba Linda, So Cal Posts: 94	Richard, can I see a picture of the set up you have for this please? Thanks, Kevin