Should I get Kalk Reactor? ALK is dropping

Brent Thomann · 08/17/2007, 11:20 AM

I've been getting by using a Schuran Jetstream 1 Calcium Reactor for my ALK/CA needs, but my ALK has been dropping lately as I've been adding a lot of corals.

I use a Litermeter3 to feed my SJ1 Reactor and have maxed out so I can't increase the performance of my JS1 CA Reactor.

Should I add on a Kalk Reactor to help increase my ALK and have it run with another litermetter external pump? Not exactly sure how the Kalk Reactors work but I'd probably like to use my litermeter pump if I can as its very reliable.

I do understand that the Kalk Reactor needs fresh ro/di water. Not sure how I'd hook it up to my current automated top off system which is a 80 foot line from my ro/di unit in basement to a simple float valve in my sump. Maybe with a "T" or something?

Total water approx 300 gals with LPS/SPS

Your help and knowledge is greatly appreciated,
Brent

ShapeGSX · 08/17/2007, 12:14 PM

You could just use kalk exclusively for topoff water. That's what I do. But I have a 46 gallon tank. 300 gallons would mean a lot more evap.

Sk8r · 08/17/2007, 12:17 PM

Just take a scissors, cut the ro/di delivery line, connect in the reactor in the "up" direction, and let the same old pump power it. A kalk reactor has no moving parts, just lets ro/di sojourn there to be mixed [the stirrer] with powdered kalk, and thence travel on its merry way to the tank.

How is your mg level? That's usually somewhere in the equation, with falling alk.

mm949 · 08/17/2007, 12:20 PM

not sure the kalk doser will help w/dKH....if u have too much calcium ur dKH will drop....Kalk is high in calcium and pH...u might what to mess with the pH of the effluent to adjust levels...??

seapug · 08/17/2007, 01:03 PM

or....forget the XP2000 Space Modulator and get a box of Arm & Hammer and a teaspoon.

Brent Thomann · 08/17/2007, 01:22 PM

I keep my mag at 1400, calcium has been 420 to 430. My alk drops at least one or more digits a day, goes from 9 to 8 or less in 24 hours.

I've been using B-Ionic "ALK" to keep raising it everyday.

My PH goes from 8.3 to 8 throughout the day and night.

seapug · 08/17/2007, 01:30 PM

I had the same problem-- Calcium was great, Alk was dropping by 1-2 dkh/day. Since I started adding a couple teaspoons of the Arm & Hammer to my topoff water Alk stays high all the time. IMO, It's been one of the easiest water quality problems to fix.

Brent Thomann · 08/17/2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seapug
I had the same problem-- Calcium was great, Alk was dropping by 1-2 dkh/day. Since I started adding a couple teaspoons of the Arm & Hammer to my topoff water Alk stays high all the time. IMO, It's been one of the easiest water quality problems to fix.

the problem with that is I have no way to add anything to my topoff as its a direct line from my ro/di unit into my sump. I also want my system to as maintenance free as possible and thats why I thought adding a kalk reactor would be the ticket and keep my alk and PH in check?

I guess my question now is how can I automate system so that my alk stays in check, so I don't have to keep manually raising it every day?

seapug · 08/17/2007, 02:56 PM

I usually mix the baking soda with RO water but I've read that it can be added directly to the sump with no real worries. Perhaps an auto fishfeeder could be modified to dispense the baking soda? My setup is very low tech, but there has to be something out there made for adding measured amounts of dry stuff to water -- like an auto saltwater mixing system.

aninjaatemyshoe · 08/17/2007, 08:02 PM

One problem with using kalkwasser, if you are not using it on a pH controller, is that you can raise the pH too high. High pH can drop alkalinity.

I'm personally starting to lean towards the automated two-part system. It seems to be the easiest, least fuss method and you have more room for error than you do with kalk or even calcium reactors. Also, 2-part is easy and cheap enough to make yourself. You already have the LiterMeter, so you could easily go for it.

08/17/2007, 11:20 AM	#1
Brent Thomann Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: T. Tonawanda, NY Posts: 1,825	Should I get Kalk Reactor? ALK is dropping I've been getting by using a Schuran Jetstream 1 Calcium Reactor for my ALK/CA needs, but my ALK has been dropping lately as I've been adding a lot of corals. I use a Litermeter3 to feed my SJ1 Reactor and have maxed out so I can't increase the performance of my JS1 CA Reactor. Should I add on a Kalk Reactor to help increase my ALK and have it run with another litermetter external pump? Not exactly sure how the Kalk Reactors work but I'd probably like to use my litermeter pump if I can as its very reliable. I do understand that the Kalk Reactor needs fresh ro/di water. Not sure how I'd hook it up to my current automated top off system which is a 80 foot line from my ro/di unit in basement to a simple float valve in my sump. Maybe with a "T" or something? Total water approx 300 gals with LPS/SPS Your help and knowledge is greatly appreciated, Brent

08/17/2007, 12:14 PM	#2
ShapeGSX Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 439	You could just use kalk exclusively for topoff water. That's what I do. But I have a 46 gallon tank. 300 gallons would mean a lot more evap. __________________ Josh Cars and Coral '97 Eclipse GSX 12.21@118mph 46 gallon bowfront (not installed in the car)

08/17/2007, 12:17 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Just take a scissors, cut the ro/di delivery line, connect in the reactor in the "up" direction, and let the same old pump power it. A kalk reactor has no moving parts, just lets ro/di sojourn there to be mixed [the stirrer] with powdered kalk, and thence travel on its merry way to the tank. How is your mg level? That's usually somewhere in the equation, with falling alk. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/17/2007, 12:20 PM	#4
mm949 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 1,843	not sure the kalk doser will help w/dKH....if u have too much calcium ur dKH will drop....Kalk is high in calcium and pH...u might what to mess with the pH of the effluent to adjust levels...?? __________________ 219"x30"x48" - 1350gl reef Current Tank Info: ...18ft of double sided goodness

08/17/2007, 01:03 PM	#5
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	or....forget the XP2000 Space Modulator and get a box of Arm & Hammer and a teaspoon. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

08/17/2007, 01:22 PM	#6
Brent Thomann Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: T. Tonawanda, NY Posts: 1,825	I keep my mag at 1400, calcium has been 420 to 430. My alk drops at least one or more digits a day, goes from 9 to 8 or less in 24 hours. I've been using B-Ionic "ALK" to keep raising it everyday. My PH goes from 8.3 to 8 throughout the day and night.

08/17/2007, 01:30 PM	#7
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	I had the same problem-- Calcium was great, Alk was dropping by 1-2 dkh/day. Since I started adding a couple teaspoons of the Arm & Hammer to my topoff water Alk stays high all the time. IMO, It's been one of the easiest water quality problems to fix. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

08/17/2007, 02:56 PM	#9
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	I usually mix the baking soda with RO water but I've read that it can be added directly to the sump with no real worries. Perhaps an auto fishfeeder could be modified to dispense the baking soda? My setup is very low tech, but there has to be something out there made for adding measured amounts of dry stuff to water -- like an auto saltwater mixing system. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

08/17/2007, 08:02 PM	#10
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	One problem with using kalkwasser, if you are not using it on a pH controller, is that you can raise the pH too high. High pH can drop alkalinity. I'm personally starting to lean towards the automated two-part system. It seems to be the easiest, least fuss method and you have more room for error than you do with kalk or even calcium reactors. Also, 2-part is easy and cheap enough to make yourself. You already have the LiterMeter, so you could easily go for it. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"