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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/13/2007 12:35:30 PM
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| I have purchased a PM Kalk reactor and was under the assumption that all that was needed to deliver the kalk solution was a small dosing pump that draws from a Ro resevior and feeds to the kalk reactor that inturn pushes the mixed kalk solution into the sump. I was conversing with my (trusted) shop owner that said the best and most reliable way to ensure the kalk doesnt over dose and provides a consistant slow dose inorder to not stress the system was to employ a device like litermeter III. There are added benefits to this device but leaving that aside...is this device overkill for a simple kalk setup thats main purpose is to deliver kalk and top off my evaporated H2O?
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/19/2009 1:09:50 PM
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| there are so many devices employed to dose kalkwasser from low tech to high tech. None of them, however, knows neither the hygrometry of your house nor the rate of calcification in your tank. So regardless of what you chose to drip kalk with... you will still need to monitor the daily/weekly demand for calcium to know how much to administer to your tank. And you will need to know the rate of evaporation and track its seasonal changes to know how much water you can pump in to carry the calcium... in a phrase... pick which ever dosing system suits you best on price and ease of operation (to you). All will still be at the mercy of testing by you to monitor and adjust in time. This is one of the reasons why I like to dose kalk as a slurry, and keep evap top off seperate (float swicth). My replacements as such are concise and defined, versus the "moving train" of a constant drip system that continues regardless if you are late or forgetful or if/when evap or Ca demand changes suddenly (removal of coral, use of air conditioning, etc).
. Anthony Calfo
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/19/2009 1:09:50 PM
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| from Steve Skuyend: Question: | Hi Anthony, I really appreciate your insight and thoughts and look into your forum(s) frequently. That said, you mentioned that Kalk solution should not be areated as it would precipitate. Would this still have the same effect if I dripped it right before the skimmer? I ask because I've read somewhere else that if you drip at the skimmer it would help to remove phosphates by causing them to precipitate out. Am I doing myself a disservice by doing this? Thanks, Steve |
.Anthony Calfo
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/19/2009 1:09:50 PM
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cheers, Skuykend  Thanks for your kind words, my friend. Regarding your kalk drip question... there is a bigger risk than formation of insoluble calcium carbonate here. The drawing of kalk rich water through your skimmer pump will destroy that pump fast. I mean fast. Months in some cases. The lime deposits will wreck the impeller, reduce water flow and in time... reduce skimmer performance IMO. Even were it not so... I see little benefit to adding kalkwasser this way. Very good question though. Thanks for bringing it up, my friend.
. Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/4/2006 6:23:26 PM
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| So using kalk water out of an open conatiner for top off water is not the best idea? Would I be better off with a kalk reactor? Thanks Chris
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/12/2006 2:31:23 PM
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| Thanks for the reply Anthony. Ok, so I was going to move where I drip my Kalk (I have a poor built in sump skimmer) to after the skimmer, but I was thinking... how long till the kalk would disperse enough not to overly affect my return pump (or any other pump)? I'm sure this would depend on flow rate of both Kalk and water too. If you drip Kalk, where do you inject it at? Steve
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/19/2009 1:09:50 PM
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| dripping kalk from an open container is not so bad, Chris. You will notice that a chalky sheen or skin develops on the surface (the insoluble calcium carbonate) and the rest of the solution is fine long enough to drip into your system (hours) and this, Steve, is the thing that will largely spare your sump return pump: a slow drip over a long time into the larger open sump. Amelioration.
. Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/4/2006 6:23:26 PM
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| My topoff water/kalk water takes about 5-7 days to use up. So it sounds like this is too long for it to sit and I may be better off with a kalk reactor.
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/17/2009 10:33:37 PM
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/19/2009 1:09:50 PM
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excellent link/info from Randy! Thanks for linking this Mark
.Anthony Calfo
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