Hooking up a Kalk Stirrer question

[porpoiseaquatics]

I picked up a Kalk Stirrer from another member. Everything works but I have a question.....I tested the unit and it filled up with my ATO pump but after the pump stopped, the water level in the reactor started dropping. I assume it backwashed to my ATO tank. Is there supposed to be a check valve in line to stop it from doing this? It used the 1/4" tubing to feed it from my ATO.

 

[ruadh]

Same thing happened to mine. Placed a check valve and it works fine now.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Ruadh;863424 wrote: Same thing happened to mine. Placed a check valve and it works fine now.

Where did you get the check valve? I was at Lowe's today and they didn't have any 1/4" check valves like the John Gest fittings (compression).

 

[ruadh]

I got it at my local fish dump (not reefworks). You may be able to find one at petco. I know Tunze makes a smaller one that should fit.

 

[ruadh]

Looks like this, and it fits very snug in the RO tubing once you push it in all the way.

>

class="gc-images" title="ImageUploadedByTapatalk1367706819.292176.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:400px" /></a>

 

[atmercure]

U can get them here. http://www.aqua-medic.com/products/dosing-pumps/">http://www.aqua-medic.com/products/dosing-pumps/</a>

I had a hard time finding them too.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Oh those are just normal air check valves for air pumps. Should be able to get those at any Petco or Petsmart. I'll go looking..thanks!!

 

[atmercure]

Yep. I use them on my aqua medic kalk stirrer.

 

[snowmansnow]

a check valves will eventually stick.

a better option is to buy a tubing "T". Connect the through to the ATO / stirrer like you normally would, but then run a short hose up from the T, that way there is no syphon.

B

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

SnowManSnow;864148 wrote: a check valves will eventually stick.

a better option is to buy a tubing "T". Connect the through to the ATO / stirrer like you normally would, but then run a short hose up from the T, that way there is no syphon.

B

I like that but what would prevent ATO water from going out the open leg?

 

[acroholic]

porpoiseaquatics;864171 wrote: I like that but what would prevent ATO water from going out the open leg?

My thought exactly. The water will go out the tube. Also, done that way, the reactor is no longer airtight, so CO2 from the air can enter the Nilsen and form calcium carbonate, which degrades the kalk solution.

I've used check valves for years, and they rarely, if ever, fail.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Acroholic;864203 wrote: My thought exactly. The water will go out the tube. Also, done that way, the reactor is no longer airtight, so CO2 from the air can enter the Nilsen and form calcium carbonate, which degrades the kalk solution.

I've used check valves for years, and they rarely, if ever, fail.

Thanks for the input Dave. That's the validation I was looking for.

 

[acroholic]

porpoiseaquatics;864212 wrote: Thanks for the input Dave. That's the validation I was looking for.

Unless snow was trying to communicate a different setup than what it sounded like.

 

[picoreefguy]

ive done something like snowmansnow was talking about the second open hose would go straight up and be attached high up so that gravity would make the water want to go down into the kalk stirrer. but in my setups i use a check valve on the end of that line with the flow arrow pointed back toward the tee to keep the water from going out that part that way both the co2 problem and the potential water leak problem are both solved

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Picoreefguy;864237 wrote: ive done something like snowmansnow was talking about the second open hose would go straight up and be attached high up so that gravity would make the water want to go down into the kalk stirrer. but in my setups i use a check valve on the end of that line with the flow arrow pointed back toward the tee to keep the water from going out that part that way both the co2 problem and the potential water leak problem are both solved

Now that makes more sense.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Ruadh;863826 wrote: Looks like this, and it fits very snug in the RO tubing once you push it in all the way.

>

class="gc-images" title="ImageUploadedByTapatalk1367706819.292176.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:400px" /></a>

Purchased one of these and tried it....no go! It causes way to much back pressure on the pump. I think I'm going to use a 1/2" standard flap check valve and just reduce it coming out to the 1/4" line that runs to the stirrer.

Edit:

Picoreefguy;864237 wrote: ive done something like snowmansnow was talking about the second open hose would go straight up and be attached high up so that gravity would make the water want to go down into the kalk stirrer. but in my setups i use a check valve on the end of that line with the flow arrow pointed back toward the tee to keep the water from going out that part that way both the co2 problem and the potential water leak problem are both solved

Actually, before I go the 1/2" check valve way...I may try this first. Seems simple enough and shouldn't add the back pressure to the pump.

 

[johniii]

Do you have a pic of your setup. I just picked up a stirrer from Dave and don't have this issue. It may be as simple as rerouting some piping.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

I can later. I've routed it a couple different ways with the same results.

 

[acroholic]

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=45126&d=1367706821" alt="" />

[QUOTE=][B]porpoiseaquatics;865025 wrote:[/B] Purchased one of these and tried it....no go! It causes way to much back pressure on the pump. I think I'm going to use a 1/2" standard flap check valve and just reduce it coming out to the 1/4" line that runs to the stirrer.[/QUOTE]

Jeff,
What kind of feed pump are you using for your ATO? I use a check valve just like that on my Osmolators and have no issues whatsoever. I use them with or without a Nilsen on the ATO system.

If you are running a Nilsen you really need to have a check valve right after the ATO pump output. I started using one after I set up the Nilsen I just sold to John a while back, and it back-siphoned into my ATO reservoir, getting Kalk in all the fresh RODI water.

I'd suggest you incorporate one of those air check valves and get a more powerful ATO feed pump. A check valve like that should not have any issues functioning in an ATO system. I use one of those dark plastic Tetra check valves, bought it at Petsmart.

[IMG]http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o698/JACKDANIELWELLS/1-126.jpg alt="" />

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Dave....I'm using a MJ1200 right now as my feed pump. I have it converted to the 1/4" poly hose that's on the stirrer. I purchased one of airline check valves from Petco the other night and it must've been bad straight from the package. No water got through it so I took it back off and tried to blow through it and could barely get any air through it. I'm going to Petsmart later and look for the Tetra brand.