advice wanted: setting up kalk reactor with ATO

Kenfuzed · 11/16/2009, 12:40 AM

I posted this in another area but thought I'd check with the local as well.

I recently picked up a PM kalk reactor and I'm having trouble with it back siphoning. Currently I have a container of RO water with a small pump (mini-jet 606) that is triggered by a float switch thru my RKE controller. I hooked the reactor inline but once the ATO pump turns off water back siphons from the reactor into the container which is the same level. The lower the water gets in the container the more back flow I get to the point where it half empties the reactor back into the container. When I elevate the container higher than the reactor I get the opposite, when the pump turns off the water continues to flow to the sump.

Thinking that a check valve would be the answer I took a check valve from my RO/DI to test this out. Placed inline between the pump and the reactor (only 18" of tubing) the pump doesn't seem to be able to develop enough pressure to overcome the valve. Maybe this valve from BRS is too strong?

The only other thing I could think of is to run an extra long output tube that arches several feet high in an attempt to break and siphon of the forward flow.

What are others out there doing to make sure that their top off is teminated without sending any saturated water from the reactor back to the container?

nava405 · 11/16/2009, 12:46 AM

what size is the hose from ur top off to kalk reactor ?

Kenfuzed · 11/16/2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nava405

what size is the hose from ur top off to kalk reactor ?

I had to use a reducer from the pump down to 1/4" since that is the size of the fittings on the reactor. Output is also 1/4" tubing.

nava405 · 11/16/2009, 01:02 AM

hmm i don't see why it doesn't work with a check valve, maybe you should check on marinedepot see if they have diff. types of check valve that would work.

however, when had aquamedic stirr b4, and i think it came with the same type of check valve that use for CO2, and it worked great. So maybe you can try it.

btw, if you place the outlet hose of the kalk reactor in the water, you might want to pull it out and see if it works.

11/16/2009, 12:40 AM	#1
Kenfuzed Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Riverview FL Posts: 2,557	advice wanted: setting up kalk reactor with ATO I posted this in another area but thought I'd check with the local as well. I recently picked up a PM kalk reactor and I'm having trouble with it back siphoning. Currently I have a container of RO water with a small pump (mini-jet 606) that is triggered by a float switch thru my RKE controller. I hooked the reactor inline but once the ATO pump turns off water back siphons from the reactor into the container which is the same level. The lower the water gets in the container the more back flow I get to the point where it half empties the reactor back into the container. When I elevate the container higher than the reactor I get the opposite, when the pump turns off the water continues to flow to the sump. Thinking that a check valve would be the answer I took a check valve from my RO/DI to test this out. Placed inline between the pump and the reactor (only 18" of tubing) the pump doesn't seem to be able to develop enough pressure to overcome the valve. Maybe this valve from BRS is too strong? The only other thing I could think of is to run an extra long output tube that arches several feet high in an attempt to break and siphon of the forward flow. What are others out there doing to make sure that their top off is teminated without sending any saturated water from the reactor back to the container? __________________ ============================================= In between tanks. Current Tank Info: Recently moved, will have a new tank up soon.

11/16/2009, 12:46 AM	#2
nava405 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA Irvine Posts: 2,818	what size is the hose from ur top off to kalk reactor ? __________________ I hate polyp extension... Current Tank Info: rimelss 48x30x20, sump 72x22x16, 2x mp40s, nano wavebox

11/16/2009, 01:02 AM	#4
nava405 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA Irvine Posts: 2,818	hmm i don't see why it doesn't work with a check valve, maybe you should check on marinedepot see if they have diff. types of check valve that would work. however, when had aquamedic stirr b4, and i think it came with the same type of check valve that use for CO2, and it worked great. So maybe you can try it. btw, if you place the outlet hose of the kalk reactor in the water, you might want to pull it out and see if it works. __________________ I hate polyp extension... Current Tank Info: rimelss 48x30x20, sump 72x22x16, 2x mp40s, nano wavebox