How to set up a Kalk Reactor?????

Gina · 03-07-2006, 01:37 PM

I’m trying to figure the proper way to hook up a kalk reactor. Right now I have a top off system that is operated with a float switch. The water level goes down in the sump and a float switch turns a pump on that pumps water from a bucket of top off water into the sump. What I would like to do is in-between the top off water and the sump, place a Kalk Reactor. The way I understand it is done is illustrated in the drawing below.

Now instead of water being pumped directly to the sump, the water is pumped into the Kalk Reactor and that forces the excess water out the discharge hose into the sump. The theory is simple but here are a few of the thing I don’t understand.

The pump in the top off water starts pumping. The reactor is now full of water. When the pump shuts down, won’t the water in the reactor drain back into the top off bucket until the water level in the reactor is the same level as it is in the top off water bucket?
Is a check valve required here to prevent that?
If you have a check valve on the supply side of the reactor, won’t a little water siphon out of the reactor into the sump when the pump shuts down?

Mark

Woodstock · 03-07-2006, 01:39 PM

Great thread Mark/Gina! I will tag along .... I hope to purchase a reactor in the next 12 months and I have no idea how to do it!

Charlie97L · 03-07-2006, 02:11 PM

^^ ditto, someone please chime in on this who knows what's up!

fidojoe · 03-07-2006, 03:10 PM

Thats exactly how I would reccomend hooking it up. I would, however, reccomend getting a peri. dosing pump. They work as their own check valve. They are pricey (about $80-90), but worth the investment. The way I use mine is by using the peri. pump to draw water from the resevoir, and pump it into the reactor. You could have the pump draw water from the reactor, causing the reactor to draw from the resevoir, but this would severely reduce your drip rate, along with creating a constant need for new tubing in the pump.

If you have to use the powerhead method for supplying water, you would need a check valve. Being that the resevoir is full of RO, it wouldn't require much maintenance, but I still wouldn't trust it long term.

03-07-2006, 01:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,842 View Gallery Karma Komment	How to set up a Kalk Reactor????? I’m trying to figure the proper way to hook up a kalk reactor. Right now I have a top off system that is operated with a float switch. The water level goes down in the sump and a float switch turns a pump on that pumps water from a bucket of top off water into the sump. What I would like to do is in-between the top off water and the sump, place a Kalk Reactor. The way I understand it is done is illustrated in the drawing below. Now instead of water being pumped directly to the sump, the water is pumped into the Kalk Reactor and that forces the excess water out the discharge hose into the sump. The theory is simple but here are a few of the thing I don’t understand. The pump in the top off water starts pumping. The reactor is now full of water. When the pump shuts down, won’t the water in the reactor drain back into the top off bucket until the water level in the reactor is the same level as it is in the top off water bucket? Is a check valve required here to prevent that? If you have a check valve on the supply side of the reactor, won’t a little water siphon out of the reactor into the sump when the pump shuts down? Mark __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina Last edited by Gina : 07-06-2006 at 07:14 PM.

03-07-2006, 01:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,502 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How to set up a Kalk Reactor????? Great thread Mark/Gina! I will tag along .... I hope to purchase a reactor in the next 12 months and I have no idea how to do it! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

03-07-2006, 02:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Charlie97L Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How to set up a Kalk Reactor????? ^^ ditto, someone please chime in on this who knows what's up! __________________ 40 Breeder, 20H Frag Aquactinics T5s, CPR Fuge, Deltec AP600, AC Jr, WavySea

03-07-2006, 03:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,584 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How to set up a Kalk Reactor????? Thats exactly how I would reccomend hooking it up. I would, however, reccomend getting a peri. dosing pump. They work as their own check valve. They are pricey (about $80-90), but worth the investment. The way I use mine is by using the peri. pump to draw water from the resevoir, and pump it into the reactor. You could have the pump draw water from the reactor, causing the reactor to draw from the resevoir, but this would severely reduce your drip rate, along with creating a constant need for new tubing in the pump. If you have to use the powerhead method for supplying water, you would need a check valve. Being that the resevoir is full of RO, it wouldn't require much maintenance, but I still wouldn't trust it long term. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

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