does a calcium or kalk reactor exist that does not need gravity?

pompeyjohn · 01/14/2016, 09:33 PM

I need a reactor to go under an AIO tank. I guess one way would be to have the reactor output drip into a small reservoir and then use that for top off. However, I'd rather keep the ato line separate. Anyone know of a setup that would work?

jayball · 01/14/2016, 09:46 PM

I thought they all use some sort of feed pump. I know a kalk reactor does and I can not imagine how you would gravity feed a CA reactor.

pompeyjohn · 01/14/2016, 09:56 PM

yep, it has got me scratching my head as well.

ca1ore · 01/14/2016, 10:38 PM

Many folks simply mix kalk in their ATO reservoir; and every calcium reactor I can think of uses positive pressure from a pump to move the effluent.

Member No. 1 · 01/15/2016, 05:07 AM

Kalk reactor no, because you feed it with RODI water with a metered pump and it needs a little pressure to work correctly. I use a Litermeter 3 for mine.
Calcium yes, most of them if not all. If it can be feed by gravity, then it can be feed with a pump. Actually it works better with a pump. Much easier to control.
Some use a tee and valve off their return. I use this and it works great!
http://premiumaquatics.com/products/...ni-502404.html

dkeller_nc · 01/15/2016, 09:15 AM

Actually, there's at least one, possibly two, kalk reactors that can be operated in a sealed and pressurized manner, but neither one are "nielsen reactors" that incorporate a stirrer.

The first one is the Tunze kalk reactor/reservior that's designed to work with their Universal Osmolator, it's designated the "Calcium Dispenser 5074".

The second one I can think of is the Two Little Fishies Kalk Reactor 300.

Another possibility might be one of the kalk reactors that use a sealed chamber and a pump to stir the contents rather than a stirrer. The Precision Marine one found here would likely work, though you might need to call Precision Marine to verify that the reaction chamber is completely sealed.

rsaha · 01/15/2016, 05:30 PM

I ran a calk reactor (similar to precision marine) for years inline with my osmolator ATO. You just need a check valve to prevent back siphoning.

AZRippster · 01/25/2016, 01:11 PM

I just came across this one on ebay. It looks to be pressure driven vs gravity.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kalkstar-Kal...0AAOSw7I5Tr0If

01/14/2016, 09:33 PM	#1
pompeyjohn Registered Member. Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 890	does a calcium or kalk reactor exist that does not need gravity? I need a reactor to go under an AIO tank. I guess one way would be to have the reactor output drip into a small reservoir and then use that for top off. However, I'd rather keep the ato line separate. Anyone know of a setup that would work?

01/14/2016, 10:38 PM	#4
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Many folks simply mix kalk in their ATO reservoir; and every calcium reactor I can think of uses positive pressure from a pump to move the effluent. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

01/15/2016, 05:07 AM	#5
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	Kalk reactor no, because you feed it with RODI water with a metered pump and it needs a little pressure to work correctly. I use a Litermeter 3 for mine. Calcium yes, most of them if not all. If it can be feed by gravity, then it can be feed with a pump. Actually it works better with a pump. Much easier to control. Some use a tee and valve off their return. I use this and it works great! http://premiumaquatics.com/products/...ni-502404.html __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

01/15/2016, 05:30 PM	#7
rsaha Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 587	I ran a calk reactor (similar to precision marine) for years inline with my osmolator ATO. You just need a check valve to prevent back siphoning. __________________ Current Tank: 120G SPS dominated mixed reef, BK Mini 180, 2x250W Phoenix 14K MH/2xT5, 2 x 6105 and 1 6055, Apex, GHL Profilux standalone doser calcium/alk/mag

01/14/2016, 09:46 PM	#2
jayball Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,671	I thought they all use some sort of feed pump. I know a kalk reactor does and I can not imagine how you would gravity feed a CA reactor.

01/14/2016, 09:56 PM	#3
pompeyjohn Registered Member. Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 890	yep, it has got me scratching my head as well.

01/15/2016, 09:15 AM	#6
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	Actually, there's at least one, possibly two, kalk reactors that can be operated in a sealed and pressurized manner, but neither one are "nielsen reactors" that incorporate a stirrer. The first one is the Tunze kalk reactor/reservior that's designed to work with their Universal Osmolator, it's designated the "Calcium Dispenser 5074". The second one I can think of is the Two Little Fishies Kalk Reactor 300. Another possibility might be one of the kalk reactors that use a sealed chamber and a pump to stir the contents rather than a stirrer. The Precision Marine one found here would likely work, though you might need to call Precision Marine to verify that the reaction chamber is completely sealed.

01/25/2016, 01:11 PM	#8
AZRippster Diver & Reef Aquarium Nut Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 1,127	I just came across this one on ebay. It looks to be pressure driven vs gravity. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kalkstar-Kal...0AAOSw7I5Tr0If