kalk reactor/ topoff tank siphon issue

liquidlunch · 07/26/2006, 06:29 AM

Hello,
I have a problem with my configuration. As shown in the picture, my auto top off system feeds the reactor and there seems to be a siphon problem. After the auto topoff pump feeds water to the reactor, it siphons the water back into the RO tank on the far left. Any tips to avoid this?

thanks
-Ray

ek9vboi · 07/26/2006, 06:38 AM

check valve or don't have the top off hose in the sump. leave it hanging within lets say 1-5"

liquidlunch · 07/26/2006, 06:43 AM

i understand the check valve tip but don't understand not having the top off hose in the sump. the siphon is between the reactor and the feed tank, not the sump. make the pain go away

Beastmaster · 07/26/2006, 07:55 AM

I had exactly the same problem and tried check valves but found them pretty useless. Now I have a peri-pump that prevents any back-syphoning when it stops pumping - which also might be a good idea as it would give a slower kalk dose rate and would prevent any localised precipitation in the sump. Not all peri-pumps are good at this though - some allow a certain amount of back-syphoning.

liquidlunch · 07/26/2006, 08:01 AM

thanks for the reply. I have been researching different peri-pumps. Which one do you have? I have come across the Aquamedic and the Reeffiller pumps. I would like one that is adjustible.

aiko670 · 07/26/2006, 08:55 AM

Make a small stand for the fresh water feed tank so it's above the calc reactor or use a peri-pump like beastmaster said.

aiko670 · 07/26/2006, 08:55 AM

Make a small stand for the fresh water feed tank so it's above the calc reactor or use a peri-pump like beastmaster suggested.

liquidlunch · 07/26/2006, 09:23 AM

I thought about doing that but I'm somewhat afraid that the feed tank will then siphon into the reactor, which in turn will siphon into the sump. I am seriously looking into peri-pumps as we speak. Dishing out another 2 bills is something I didn't expect

Milleme · 07/26/2006, 09:29 AM

Ya im setting up a DIY kalk reactor exactly like yours and am also looking for a good dosing pump. I was recomended the nautilis 2 but it was a bit more than I wanted to spend. Are there any other good ones that are cheaper? http://www.innovativeaquatics.com/pr...nautilis2.html

liquidlunch · 07/26/2006, 09:33 AM

I have my eye on this one right now but i'm open to suggestions:

http://www.championlighting.com/prod...cat=386&page=1

Conceyted · 07/26/2006, 09:51 AM

glad to see im not the only one with problems. i just rigged up a different style check valve that appears to be working properly. It is the ones found at petsmart.com and in the stores. I did do a little modification (drilled out inlet and outlet some) so the water would push through at a higher rate.

FuzzyLogic · 07/26/2006, 09:51 AM

I use a Spectrapure LiterMeter III. More expensive but its also more versatile and has better precision. The LMIII can be calibrated. If noise is an issue I would stay away from the Reef Filler.

Conceyted · 08/02/2006, 02:07 PM

found a check valve that works to fix backsyphoning of kalk reactors. The check valve is found here:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...duct%5Fid=7243
I ordered one as a last attempt after trying about 4 different types of airline check valves to no avail. This is the first to actually stop the water from backsyphoning while allowing the water to flow pretty much freely with little or no resistance when the pump is activated by your autotopoff. The onyl problem is that the airline BARELY fits on the end of the valve so I would recommend that you use silicone tubing or something a little more stretchy than nylon tubing.

liquidlunch · 08/02/2006, 02:21 PM

Thanks for the post. I went with a JohnGuest type fitting since I was using that type of hose. It seemed to do the trick and working great so far.
http://www.rowatersystems.com/catalo...2_products.htm

RicGio · 08/02/2006, 04:54 PM

Raise the RO tank to a level above the reactor. Add a float valve for make up in your sump...water cant siphon past a closed valve.

07/26/2006, 06:29 AM	#1
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	kalk reactor/ topoff tank siphon issue Hello, I have a problem with my configuration. As shown in the picture, my auto top off system feeds the reactor and there seems to be a siphon problem. After the auto topoff pump feeds water to the reactor, it siphons the water back into the RO tank on the far left. Any tips to avoid this? thanks -Ray

07/26/2006, 09:29 AM	#9
Milleme Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ATX Posts: 485	Ya im setting up a DIY kalk reactor exactly like yours and am also looking for a good dosing pump. I was recomended the nautilis 2 but it was a bit more than I wanted to spend. Are there any other good ones that are cheaper? http://www.innovativeaquatics.com/pr...nautilis2.html __________________ Fish swim in water. ><> ><> Current Tank Info: 45 cube build

07/26/2006, 09:51 AM	#11
Conceyted Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 1,123	glad to see im not the only one with problems. i just rigged up a different style check valve that appears to be working properly. It is the ones found at petsmart.com and in the stores. I did do a little modification (drilled out inlet and outlet some) so the water would push through at a higher rate. __________________ -Chris and Jaime Current Tank Info: Rimless & Sumped Biocube Clownfish/BTA Harem

08/02/2006, 02:07 PM	#13
Conceyted Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 1,123	found a check valve that works to fix backsyphoning of kalk reactors. The check valve is found here: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...duct%5Fid=7243 I ordered one as a last attempt after trying about 4 different types of airline check valves to no avail. This is the first to actually stop the water from backsyphoning while allowing the water to flow pretty much freely with little or no resistance when the pump is activated by your autotopoff. The onyl problem is that the airline BARELY fits on the end of the valve so I would recommend that you use silicone tubing or something a little more stretchy than nylon tubing. __________________ -Chris and Jaime Current Tank Info: Rimless & Sumped Biocube Clownfish/BTA Harem

07/26/2006, 06:38 AM	#2
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	check valve or don't have the top off hose in the sump. leave it hanging within lets say 1-5"

07/26/2006, 06:43 AM	#3
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	i understand the check valve tip but don't understand not having the top off hose in the sump. the siphon is between the reactor and the feed tank, not the sump. make the pain go away

07/26/2006, 07:55 AM	#4
Beastmaster Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 38	I had exactly the same problem and tried check valves but found them pretty useless. Now I have a peri-pump that prevents any back-syphoning when it stops pumping - which also might be a good idea as it would give a slower kalk dose rate and would prevent any localised precipitation in the sump. Not all peri-pumps are good at this though - some allow a certain amount of back-syphoning.

07/26/2006, 08:01 AM	#5
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	thanks for the reply. I have been researching different peri-pumps. Which one do you have? I have come across the Aquamedic and the Reeffiller pumps. I would like one that is adjustible.

07/26/2006, 08:55 AM	#6
aiko670 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Deerfield, IL Posts: 5,409	Make a small stand for the fresh water feed tank so it's above the calc reactor or use a peri-pump like beastmaster said.

07/26/2006, 09:23 AM	#8
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	I thought about doing that but I'm somewhat afraid that the feed tank will then siphon into the reactor, which in turn will siphon into the sump. I am seriously looking into peri-pumps as we speak. Dishing out another 2 bills is something I didn't expect

07/26/2006, 09:33 AM	#10
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	I have my eye on this one right now but i'm open to suggestions: http://www.championlighting.com/prod...cat=386&page=1

07/26/2006, 09:51 AM	#12
FuzzyLogic Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: South FL Posts: 258	I use a Spectrapure LiterMeter III. More expensive but its also more versatile and has better precision. The LMIII can be calibrated. If noise is an issue I would stay away from the Reef Filler.

08/02/2006, 02:21 PM	#14
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	Thanks for the post. I went with a JohnGuest type fitting since I was using that type of hose. It seemed to do the trick and working great so far. http://www.rowatersystems.com/catalo...2_products.htm

08/02/2006, 04:54 PM	#15
RicGio Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 658	Raise the RO tank to a level above the reactor. Add a float valve for make up in your sump...water cant siphon past a closed valve.