ATO for KALK

kratosxxl · 02/25/2015, 03:58 PM

Hi All im petty new here so ill need an advice
I have read a lot about different ATO's and lot of people said that HYDOR ATO wont work if you dose KALK, actually all of ATO reviews said that, so im confused what is the best ATO to dose a kalk ?
Is it better to DIY ATO ? cuz its pretty cheap compared to TUNZE
Thank you

wetWolger · 02/25/2015, 04:22 PM

I believe the tunze would have the same issue the hydor has for kalk. Which is the fact that it has a 10 minuet safety timeout, meaning you would have to dose the ato/kalk likely too fast into the tank. (unless there is some other reason the hydro is not favorable for kalk that I am not aware of?)

I would DIY it personally, and always have. If you have a controller it's very easy, and you can get extra bonuses (alerting when the sump is too high, shutting down the skimmer, etc).

kratosxxl · 02/25/2015, 04:33 PM

thank for input
i heard something about kalk affecting sensor not because of overdose maybe its a rumor
im looking to buy this
http://autotopoff.com/products/DS1/
what you think ?

kratosxxl · 02/25/2015, 04:34 PM

or maybe use single dosing pump with ATO would be better option ?

tkeracer619 · 02/25/2015, 04:44 PM

This is what I have used for kalkwasser for years without a single issue. Granted, it may be a bit pricey compared to the option you were looking at.

There is no timer involved. I use a coleparmer fixed speed economy drive. It is setup to pump a very slow rate. Basically, it can only surpass my evap by 50% each day so if something went wrong I would have time to catch it. Instead of 5gal in a 500g system if it were to be stuck on it would dose 7.5 gals a day. Would hardly cause an issue.

I use a dual float switch from autotopoff.com to control it.

I use an Aquamedic Kalk reactor 1000.

I have never had or heard of a failure from the autotopoff.com stuff and have used it in many installations over the years. Good stuff. If you need help sourcing a pump please let me know your avg daily evap rate.

Total setup would be a couple hundred.

kratosxxl · 02/25/2015, 04:58 PM

sounds great
so im thinking to use autotopoff dual with TOM aquarium pump (3.5 gph) , kalk mixed with vinegar (in 5 gal container with RO/DI)
Well im in the 2nd floor so overfilling will cause huge problems for me, if its safer ill rather add RO/DI manually daily or weekly

Portsie · 02/25/2015, 09:35 PM

I use my tunze 3155 with kalk in the ato and have had zero problems in 2+ years (knock on wood). Very reliable and the 10 minute shutoff is great, impossible to overdose.

tkeracer619 · 02/25/2015, 09:54 PM

Make sure if you do it manually that there is a fail safe in case you forget.

kratosxxl · 02/26/2015, 12:11 AM

well i think ill try tunze 3155 as Portsie said , we will see from there
thank you everyone

02/25/2015, 03:58 PM	#1
kratosxxl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: GLENDALE CA Posts: 182	ATO for KALK Hi All im petty new here so ill need an advice I have read a lot about different ATO's and lot of people said that HYDOR ATO wont work if you dose KALK, actually all of ATO reviews said that, so im confused what is the best ATO to dose a kalk ? Is it better to DIY ATO ? cuz its pretty cheap compared to TUNZE Thank you

02/25/2015, 04:22 PM	#2
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	I believe the tunze would have the same issue the hydor has for kalk. Which is the fact that it has a 10 minuet safety timeout, meaning you would have to dose the ato/kalk likely too fast into the tank. (unless there is some other reason the hydro is not favorable for kalk that I am not aware of?) I would DIY it personally, and always have. If you have a controller it's very easy, and you can get extra bonuses (alerting when the sump is too high, shutting down the skimmer, etc). __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20

02/25/2015, 04:44 PM	#5
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	This is what I have used for kalkwasser for years without a single issue. Granted, it may be a bit pricey compared to the option you were looking at. There is no timer involved. I use a coleparmer fixed speed economy drive. It is setup to pump a very slow rate. Basically, it can only surpass my evap by 50% each day so if something went wrong I would have time to catch it. Instead of 5gal in a 500g system if it were to be stuck on it would dose 7.5 gals a day. Would hardly cause an issue. I use a dual float switch from autotopoff.com to control it. I use an Aquamedic Kalk reactor 1000. I have never had or heard of a failure from the autotopoff.com stuff and have used it in many installations over the years. Good stuff. If you need help sourcing a pump please let me know your avg daily evap rate. Total setup would be a couple hundred. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/25/2015, 09:35 PM	#7
Portsie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 741	I use my tunze 3155 with kalk in the ato and have had zero problems in 2+ years (knock on wood). Very reliable and the 10 minute shutoff is great, impossible to overdose. __________________ 90g corner overflow, 33g sump, Apex, Vertex IN-100, 2x MP-10w ES, 1X MP-40w, Tunze Osmolator, 60lbs Caribsea oolite, 85lbs live rock, 4x54w T5 with LED moonlights

02/25/2015, 09:54 PM	#8
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Make sure if you do it manually that there is a fail safe in case you forget. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/25/2015, 04:33 PM	#3
kratosxxl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: GLENDALE CA Posts: 182	thank for input i heard something about kalk affecting sensor not because of overdose maybe its a rumor im looking to buy this http://autotopoff.com/products/DS1/ what you think ?

02/25/2015, 04:34 PM	#4
kratosxxl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: GLENDALE CA Posts: 182	or maybe use single dosing pump with ATO would be better option ?

02/25/2015, 04:58 PM	#6
kratosxxl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: GLENDALE CA Posts: 182	sounds great so im thinking to use autotopoff dual with TOM aquarium pump (3.5 gph) , kalk mixed with vinegar (in 5 gal container with RO/DI) Well im in the 2nd floor so overfilling will cause huge problems for me, if its safer ill rather add RO/DI manually daily or weekly

02/26/2015, 12:11 AM	#9
kratosxxl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: GLENDALE CA Posts: 182	well i think ill try tunze 3155 as Portsie said , we will see from there thank you everyone