Who's using Kalk reactor w/ Ca Reactor-I would like your input-Pleez

[reefnjunkie]

A little info before the question;

 

I have always used a Ca reactor and continue to do so. I have it hooked up to a MPP Ph Controller and everything is rock solid KH 10.8 Ca 460.

Someone recently had told me that over time I may experience low PH as a result of the Co2, and that adding a Kalk reactor would take care of the PH swings and keep in very consitent +/- .1- I assume

 

My PH swings, at night it dips (7.85) and during the day it stays right at around 8.17-I have never got it to stay above 8.17, but it is consistent-which I have also been told is key. I have had the PH drop to like 8 but the next day or later that night 8.17

 

If anyone reads this they can share their opinion on whether adding that will be useful or "needed". I would think adding the kalk reactor would mess with my KH and Ca that is controlled by the controller?

 

I'm sure I would then (need to ) buy like an Apex controller and sell the PH monitor and controller since the Apex will run everything-so now I get to dump about 800.00 dollars into something that I don't think is really needed but would love to hear from anyone who has some helpful insight/information

TIA

[ciao]

Not to highjack the thread, but how does a Kalk do that the calcium reactor doesn't? I thought both were just a means to getting calcium to the right amount?

[reefnjunkie]

Not to highjack the thread' date=' but how does a Kalk do that the calcium reactor doesn't? I thought both were just a means to getting calcium to the right amount?[/quote']

 

Read this persons reply-"jeffkeith_us" he mentions his opinion towards the bottom of his reply;

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/general-reef-aquarium-discussion/27728-difference-between-using-kalk-calcium-reactor.html

[huskerduck]

I use a kalkreactor and my PH stays at 8.3, if I dont use one it dips down to 7.9

 

The lowest I ever see my ph is 8.2, I also top off with the Kalkreactor at 9pm and again at midnight using this hooked to my Ro/DI

 

 

I also use a CA reactor, moreso for Alk than calcium which I always have plenty

[Smann]

I have used a Calcium reactor for years, I always thought my Ph was fine (color test) until I got a controller and it was 7.5 -7.9. I started using kalk in a DIY reactor (Grassi) and now it stays around 8-8.2. Kalk will also help with Calcium. 7.9-8.17 (or 8.2) is fine especially if its stable and consistent, I must have ran mine with the above numbers for years and my tank was fine, check out my gallery.

I run my Calcium reactor from 7am to 11pm then only stir my Kalk reactor at night. I also put in a second chamber so my effulent runs about 6.9-7.0, That would help and save you some money and more equipment to monitor

[reefnjunkie]

I also top off with the Kalkreactor at 9pm and again at midnight using this hooked to my Ro/DI

 

 

A couple questions if you dont mind

So you are running your Kalk reactor in addition you are adding it to your top off????

What do you use to run/control your Kalk reactor and is your reator the type that stirs the solution?

 

Thanks

 

I have used a Calcium reactor for years, I always thought my Ph was fine (color test) until I got a controller and it was 7.5 -7.9. I started using kalk in a DIY reactor (Grassi) and now it stays around 8-8.2. Kalk will also help with Calcium. 7.9-8.17 (or 8.2) is fine especially if its stable and consistent, I must have ran mine with the above numbers for years and my tank was fine, check out my gallery.

I run my Calcium reactor from 7am to 11pm then only stir my Kalk reactor at night. I also put in a second chamber so my effulent runs about 6.9-7.0, That would help and save you some money and more equipment to monitor

 

I have the controller to run the Ca reactor, if I was to add the Kalk reactor, I would sell the controller and monitor and get something like the Apex-(now since I passed up a freaking steal earlier).

This is why I started the thread about controllers-I had a feeling adding a Kalk reactor would be a good thing and I need something to control it

[reefnjunkie]

I run my Calcium reactor from 7am to 11pm then only stir my Kalk reactor at night. I also put in a second chamber so my effulent runs about 6.9-7.0, That would help and save you some money and more equipment to monitor

 

Do you find you are testing more to make sure you Ca reactor is keeping up with the Ca that's being depleted.

I use to run my reactor on a timer but I was testing more so I knew when the Ca was being depleted faster than it was being added-My MPP PH controller solved that-similar to the Neptune (I think) you have.

[Smann]

Do you find you are testing more to make sure you Ca reactor is keeping up with the Ca that's being depleted.

I use to run my reactor on a timer but I was testing more so I knew when the Ca was being depleted faster than it was being added-My MPP PH controller solved that-similar to the Neptune (I think) you have.

 

Not really, I found once its set the calcium is fine I try to keep the Alk 9-10, if it moves either way I adjust the time a little, I never change the reactor.

[reefnjunkie]

Not really' date=' I found once its set the calcium is fine I try to keep the Alk 9-10, if it moves either way I adjust the time a little, I never change the reactor.[/quote']

 

I must have mis-typed. I never changed the reactor, I changed the length of time my time ran my solenoid. I started about 5 hours and would bump it up like 15 mins or so after a month +/-. It just seemed I was testing the water alot to make sure things where in the right ranges- You should see my log I keep for params-LOL- can you say ANAL-or over zealous husbandry.

 

I found an apex for 460.00 delivered. Is your reactor the type with the stirrer?

Thanks Shawn (Sean ?)

[Smann]

Here is my DYI Kalk reactor. I run my ATO thru it all the time but only stir (controller) at night. Every three hrs from 11pm to 9 am for 3 mins

 

 

Same on my 180, I made a similar one out of a old Skimmer body and stir with a small Mag

[reefnjunkie]

It would have paid off making the meeting you hosted so I could see your set up-DOH!

 

Still soaking up information-Seems the best deal on a controller at this point iis the Apex for 460.00 delivered

I need to look into DIY Kalk reactor-I like to think I'm pretty handy-(whistle)

Thanks again

Brad

[Smann]

if you want to stop by sometime let me know, Always like showing off the stuff. That little reactor may be available in a week or so if you want to try it, I'm in the process of taking that system down

[huskerduck]

A couple questions if you dont mind

So you are running your Kalk reactor in addition you are adding it to your top off????

What do you use to run/control your Kalk reactor and is your reator the type that stirs the solution?

 

Thanks

 

My top off is through a Kalkreactor only, the 1/4" line out of the RO/DI runs into the Kalkreactor and then out to the tank.

 

Yes the reactor stirs the kalk using a timer that turns on its pump, this is in the early morning so it has all day to settle not dumping stirred kalk into the tank.

[andy]

Do you have problems with the effluent line out of the kalk clogging? I have to clean mine about once a month...

[Algae]

Just an aside. Where did you find an Apex for this price?

 

Still soaking up information-Seems the best deal on a controller at this point iis the Apex for 460.00 delivered

 

Brad

[reefnjunkie]

Just an aside. Where did you find an Apex for this price?

 

My store away from home-eBay. Sign up for Bings cash back (currently 8% off and its free).Bing used to offer 40% off when it was new trying to get people to use it-the discount varies so you need to check ,and its only on buy it now auctions-add that to the 2% cash back program I got with Fleabay and it makes it worth while for me.;

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180445493839&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[huskerduck]

Do you have problems with the effluent line out of the kalk clogging? I have to clean mine about once a month...

I have no troubles at all with the Kalk reactor/top off clogging but the CA reactor is a pain in the rear but I have a valve on the end of it and its one of those 1/4" plastic one from Lowes/Home Depot, they arent the best for trying to drip and not clog.

 

I dont think the Kalk can clog because I stir around 7 am and it tops off at 10PM and Midnight, the water is still above 9ph but the kalk has settled many hours earlier

[stylaster]

I also use a kalk reactor with calcium reactor, again to help balance out PH and keep my calcium levels up

[wanareef]

Brad

 

this is my DIY Kalk reactor and it's tied to ATO

 

[reefnjunkie]

I'm really trying hard to sell myself on "needing" it.

My Ca is at 460-24/7 and has been ever since I got my PH controller dialed in.

My KH stays at 10.8 again rock solid.

I have a PH monitor (you can see that in Roy's thread, what makes your tank run) and during the day when all the lights are on it reads around 8.13-8.17.

It will drop at night of course but there are times during the day it reads 7.95-8.05, but for instance at 6am with all the lights out, I look and the PH read 8.08.

 

I'm just not seeing the "need", could it be helpful-maybe, could it hurt-most likely not. Do I want to throw 700-800 dollars at the tank-not certain.

 

Because if I add the Kalk reactor, I got to add an Apex. I need everything perfected and knowing I have something that will turn on ALL of my equipment when need is nice-scary to have EVERY SINGLE EGG in one basket though.

 

Thanks for everyone's input-off to work to help pay for this addiction-:eek:

[reefnjunkie]

dup reply sorry

[reefnjunkie]

Brad

 

this is my DIY Kalk reactor and it's tied to ATO

 

 

Charles would you mind sending me a PM w/ your number. I'ld like to discuss this with you if you would not mind-also if there is a better time to call.

I'm in outside sales so I am available at varying times.

Thanks!

 

 

Thought I would throw this out there, this is an email from a buddy back East-he has set up a few tanks that have taken the "TOTM" on RC so I got to respect his opinion' here is his reply to my question regarding Kalk- I think he has been doing reefing for a little short of 25 years

I'm presume it will turn a few people off-(sad)

 

Buddy PH has never been a worry for myself, If my DKH is solid then excuse the expression but F*** Ph. if an eco system of any sort is alive be it the ocean a aquarium or you or myself its never static there are natural physical swings in any given 24 hr period.. Now if you have a refugium run that on a reverse photo period then at night the plants /weeds in that will consume the CO2 and give off oxygen when tank is in night mode that’s natural.. Now as for a Kalk reactor ? I use one of my design and I have a few guys on 3 reef using them also Otty is the 1st to come to mind and a couple of his buddies and Joe Grubbs and a few others , Nothing needed but a 10.00 timer to cut the mixing pump on once a day .. The only reason I use one is to help the Ca reactor out I have a lots of sps corals in a very small tank.. like 60 different types in a 90 .. But back to the original Ph question ?? Much ado about nothing a night time ph or 7.8 is nothing I'd look at twice at worry about for a [language filter] second.. And I'd put my corals against anyone's .. People just simply over think this crap .. Like a few guys on 3 reef I told one to leave that [language filter] Zeovite alone get his Ca reactor back on line , As the new magic fix Zeovite was just oven baked super clean dolomite (: he lost all of his beautiful corals main reason was night time Ph and trying to keep his system perfect ..

Thanks

Roger ******

Aquatic Arts Technologies So Hmmmm(scratch)

[huskerduck]

These things are so simple, look at the bottom of this page http://www.michiganreefers.com/forums/lighting-filtration-other-equipment/62137-lets-talk-about-kalk-reactors-2.html

 

I think I paid $75 for my PacificCoast one and had to replace pump once

[andy]

Why? As I read it he's basically saying that kalk is a good thing and is easy, both of which are true. You don't even need a reactor, you can add the lime directly to your top-off water (2 tsp / gallon) and as long as you keep the top-off water covered it's all good -- the reactor just lets you skip this step (adding lime every time you run the RODI). Randy Holmes-Farley (RC's aquarium uberchemist) just adds it to his top-off water, and he certainly knows what he's doing.

 

Kalk has other benefits besides adding balanced Ca/alk and maintaining pH stability; it also helps reduce phosphate levels. Check out What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime, it's good stuff.

 

I think dripping kalk is a fundamental "best practice" for reef aquariums. I wouldn't run a tank without it (either added directly to top-off water, or via reactor).

 

He also seems to be saying that all these goofy, expensive supplement schemes are snake oil -- something else I happen to agree with. This guy *does* know his stuff (laugh)

[huskerduck]

Why? As I read it he's basically saying that kalk is a good thing and is easy, both of which are true. You don't even need a reactor, you can add the lime directly to your top-off water (2 tsp / gallon) and as long as you keep the top-off water covered it's all good -- the reactor just lets you skip this step (adding lime every time you run the RODI). Randy Holmes-Farley (RC's aquarium uberchemist) just adds it to his top-off water, and he certainly knows what he's doing.

 

Kalk has other benefits besides adding balanced Ca/alk and maintaining pH stability; it also helps reduce phosphate levels. Check out What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime, it's good stuff.

 

I think dripping kalk is a fundamental "best practice" for reef aquariums. I wouldn't run a tank without it (either added directly to top-off water, or via reactor).

 

He also seems to be saying that all these goofy, expensive supplement schemes are snake oil -- something else I happen to agree with. This guy *does* know his stuff (laugh)

He may be talking about the Zeovit part, that was kind of the response I got from some trusted people I spoke with......they thought it was a company feeding on reefers obsessive compulsive disorders and hammering them with over priced voodoo.

 

What in this hobby isnt overpriced, its one of the worst in my opinion, put the word Reef or Fish on a product and jack the price double,triple, quadruple its real worth. Greed, not a good thing.