Ca Reactor vs. dosing Kalkwasser

dtaranath · 02/08/2006, 07:12 AM

What's the difference between having a calcium reactor vs. dosing kalkwasser? Can anyone help me out with this?

bertoni · 02/09/2006, 01:32 AM

There are two types of calcium reactors. One is usually called a kalk or Nielsen reactor. This type simply stirs the kalk into water for you, and is usually connected to a water input.

The other type uses CO2 to dissolve calcium carbonate.

Dosing limewater is just the manual version of the kalk reactor. It has the advantage of letting various impurities precipitate to the bottom of the dosing container.

These articles might help:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

dtaranath · 02/09/2006, 07:38 AM

thanks!! those are exactly what I needed!

Dan Thrash · 02/09/2006, 08:48 AM

hopefully this isnt hijacking the thread...

do a lot of people use both systems or just one or the other? do you not necessarily need to have both types? i'm starting to plan a 90 gal mainly SPS tank and i' wasnt sure if i should plan on getting a calc and/or kalk reactor. what do you think?

bertoni · 02/09/2006, 03:35 PM

I'm sure somewhere someone is using any combination you can imagine.

You could start with a limewater drip, and if that doesn't add enough calcium, add a CO2-driven reactor. That's what I'd do.

The lime reactors aren't going to be able to add as much calcium as a limewater-vinegar drip can, and add more impurities to the water. They are more automated, though.

02/08/2006, 07:12 AM	#1
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	Ca Reactor vs. dosing Kalkwasser What's the difference between having a calcium reactor vs. dosing kalkwasser? Can anyone help me out with this?

02/09/2006, 01:32 AM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	There are two types of calcium reactors. One is usually called a kalk or Nielsen reactor. This type simply stirs the kalk into water for you, and is usually connected to a water input. The other type uses CO2 to dissolve calcium carbonate. Dosing limewater is just the manual version of the kalk reactor. It has the advantage of letting various impurities precipitate to the bottom of the dosing container. These articles might help: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/09/2006, 07:38 AM	#3
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	thanks!! those are exactly what I needed! __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

02/09/2006, 03:35 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'm sure somewhere someone is using any combination you can imagine. You could start with a limewater drip, and if that doesn't add enough calcium, add a CO2-driven reactor. That's what I'd do. The lime reactors aren't going to be able to add as much calcium as a limewater-vinegar drip can, and add more impurities to the water. They are more automated, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/09/2006, 08:48 AM	#4
Dan Thrash Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 578	hopefully this isnt hijacking the thread... do a lot of people use both systems or just one or the other? do you not necessarily need to have both types? i'm starting to plan a 90 gal mainly SPS tank and i' wasnt sure if i should plan on getting a calc and/or kalk reactor. what do you think?