Kalkwasser reactor

[gnatp2]

Going to go for a Kalkwasser reactor to add to my system. I've done a little bit of searching and found that the Deltec or Barr Aquatics look the best to me. They also happen to be on the pricier side. Seems to me that the stirrer seems like the best way of mixing the kalk so that's why I'm thinking of these two units. I'd like to get a larger one since I'm planning on going for a bigger tank sometime in the future.

Anyone got a view?
Nate

 

[Jasonanatal]

Going to go for a Kalkwasser reactor to add to my system. I've done a little bit of searching and found that the Deltec or Barr Aquatics look the best to me. They also happen to be on the pricier side. Seems to me that the stirrer seems like the best way of mixing the kalk so that's why I'm thinking of these two units. I'd like to get a larger one since I'm planning on going for a bigger tank sometime in the future.

Anyone got a view?
Nate

Gnatep2, Deltec is by far my favorite supplier of all things meant for salty setups. I personally am going to purchase one to compliments my Deltec PF501 Calcium Reactor. Their great for stirring up the Kalkwasser mix and would recommend merging it within your autotop off unit. I personally wouldn't worry to much about getting such a big unit since Kalkwasser only remains fully active in water for about 3 days or so and you don't want to go dosing large amounts that you will not doubtly end up throwing out and changing for new water with new Kalkwasser. I would recommend this especially if you are growing SPS or LPS Corals. I have not seen a Thriving Reef Tank with these type of corals that has lasted past 6 months withouth the use of Kalkwasser at some point in time. If you need more information feel free to pick my brain since I have done many hours of research on this subject.

 

[noodleman]

Kalkwasser only remains fully active in water for about 3 days or so and you don't want to go dosing large amounts that you will not doubtly end up throwing out and changing for new water with new Kalkwasser.

sorry for the hijack, but what do you mean by fully active?

 

[Jasonanatal]

sorry for the hijack, but what do you mean by fully active?

Noodleman, Fully active is not the correct term that I should have used I apologize. I mean its actuall effectiveness within a Reef Aquarium. In my personal experience I used to get about 3 to 4 days effectiveness on 1 gallon of RO/DI Water mixed with Kalkwasser before I started to notice Polyp Retraction on my SPS Corals. When dosing with Kalkwasser my normally extended Polyps on my SPS Corals went from showing nicely to reaching to the ends of the eart. Beautiful and rewarding in my opinion.

 

[cali_reef]

Noodleman, Fully active is not the correct term that I should have used I apologize. I mean its actuall effectiveness within a Reef Aquarium. In my personal experience I used to get about 3 to 4 days effectiveness on 1 gallon of RO/DI Water mixed with Kalkwasser before I started to notice Polyp Retraction on my SPS Corals. When dosing with Kalkwasser my normally extended Polyps on my SPS Corals went from showing nicely to reaching to the ends of the eart. Beautiful and rewarding in my opinion.

You have no idea how a kalkwasser reactor works!!

 

[cali_reef]

Nate,

Deltec is expensive for what you get. Aquamedic makes two different size with the same type of stirrer system, I have the smaller one for about a year now and it works pretty well.

Stay away from mag stirrers, I have used the Barr and MRC, the mag bar pops off very often because the weak magnets they use and you waste a lot of kalk to reset the bar. I built one my self with a stirrer plate (I bought off ebay for $18), the whole reactor costed me about $75 to put together 5 years ago and it is still working today!

I also have two PM reactors, they use a maxijet to stir the kalk, work pretty well and the maxijet needs less cleaning than my Tunze powerheads.

 

[crox99]

Pierce

can you help me set up a PM reactor for my tank?

 

[cali_reef]

Pierce

can you help me set up a PM reactor for my tank?

A kalk reactor or Calcium reactor?

 

[gnatp2]

Thanks for the info Pierce. I've narrowed it down to the Deltec KM500S and the Aquamedic 5000. These guys are overkill for my current 120, but if I decide to go bigger in the future, they will will work for me and there's no harm in going with a larger one. Because of the price disparity on the smaller deltec vs the smaller aquamedic, I'd for sure go with an aquamedic, but the price gap shrinks a bit with these larger units.

Now time to debate with myself....
Nate

 

[crox99]

A kalk reactor or Calcium reactor?

kalk.:Hydrogen:

 

[ari5736]

I have the aquamedic 1000, and definitely don't recommend it. After only 4 months of use, the top inlet broke (which I think was just an aesthetic piece) and the bottom inlet needed a mod to prevent leaking. Customer service has not answered my emails and telephone calls for the past month. So much for the warranty. IME, as with most if not all equip., save yourself the headache and spend the extra money (on the deltec or anyother reputable unit).
P.S. With that said you have my 1000 for $100.00 :redface:

 

[gnatp2]

I went with the Deltec KM500S. Got it all set up and working. Probably paid way too much for acrylic tubing and a rotating stick, but I know it will be reliable and I'm just too tired of settling on 2nd tier stuff that I'm a little nervous about.

My one complaint about the unit is that you have to have the stirrer's output quite close and above the sump for it to drain in. No idea how I would design it, but I would like to be able to have this unit further away from my sump and be able to plumb a long piece of tubing from the unit to my sump. Since the output is gravity driven, it seems like there is a decent chance that the stirrer will overflow if you use a longer piece of tubing.

Nate

 

[jg2269jg]

hey not to steal the thread but i was wondering what you guys think of the Geo kalk reactor