Kalk Dosing Questions

[chefrepo]

OK, Been reading alot on the benefits of kalk dosing. Figured I would post what my plans are and make sure I am doing this right.

My plans are to use my 10 gallon top off tank and just let it dose when my ATO kicks on. I located the top off line to just in front of the skimmer output so it would be in a heavy flow location in order to help mix a bit more and hopefully avoid calcium buildup in my sump. In my 10 gallon I am using pickling lime and am using the formula of 2 teaspoons per gallon of top off water which seems to be the general consensus on most of the articles I have read.
I have an MJ 900 laying around so I am going to toss in the tank so the lime dosent settle to the bottom.

All parameters such as PH, ALK etc are in line and checked weekly/bi weekly with Salifert tests.


Questions........... Anybody see any flaws in this plan? Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Second, Since I am going through about 10 gallons a week in top off due to running the heat,fireplace,dry conditions in the house etc., I will probably go through less top off water in the summer due to running the AC thus translating into the amount of kalk going into the tank being less. Will I need to increase the amount of kalk I add to the top off in the summer to compensate for using less water?

 

[jeffmuse]

I am looking to do a similar setup, so I am interested in everyone's feedback. From your description, it sounds like it would work well... again, I am just getting into the world of Kalk dosing and look forward to hearing how your this system works out.

 

[son of adam]

chefrepo;476516 wrote: Will I need to increase the amount of kalk I add to the top off in the summer to compensate for using less water?

"Inquiring minds want to know"

The gear sounds good to me. As long as it can't over dose with ATO for some reason.

GrouperTherapy had a thread on his setup some where. Seams like he had some good stuff to look at again. Oh here it is http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=36253">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=36253</a>

You may have seen it though.

 

[chefrepo]

JeffMuse;476522 wrote: I am looking to do a similar setup, so I am interested in everyone's feedback. From your description, it sounds like it would work well... again, I am just getting into the world of Kalk dosing and look forward to hearing how your this system works out.

Me too. Since it is something that could have a major impact on my system, both good and bad, I figured it would be wise to ask first then do it and even though I have been doing alot of reading on this nothing replaces real world experience.

Son of Adam;476525 wrote: "Inquiring minds want to know"

The gear sounds good to me. As long as it can't over dose with ATO for some reason.

GrouperTherapy had a thread on his setup some where. Seams like he had some good stuff to look at again. Oh here it is http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=36253">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=36253</a>

You may have seen it though.[/QUOTE]


Nope, did not see that one dude. Thanks for the link.
As far as the ATO goes mine has 2 switches, one that signals to the pump to turn on and another above it that will cut the pump off if it reaches a certain level in the sump just in case the on switch gets stuck for some reason. Its a really nice feature of the JBJ and will probably save my arse one day.

 

[weaglereefer]

One flaw I see is that you have no way to control the top off if the pH spikes. Saturated kalk has a pH of around 12 and can really do a number on the pH in your tank if you're not watching it.

 

[chefrepo]

Well my shut off is about 1/2" above the switch that signals it to turn on. Would it be better to have it say 1/4" or perhaps closer?

 

[grouper therapy]

au01st;476719 wrote: One flaw I see is that you have no way to control the top off if the pH spikes. Saturated kalk has a pH of around 12 and can really do a number on the pH in your tank if you're not watching it.

+1
This is the very reason that I drip mine 24/7 at a rate that is impossible to overshoot my PH. The JBJ is a good product and setting the float switches really close together will make the dose smaller but what happens if the switch gets stuck and the JBJ runs until it's timer cuts it off 5 minutes later?
How many gallons is you total system?

 

[chefrepo]

Ahhh. That makes sense. Actually that makes alot of sense. That's the reason I figured I would ask before doing.
Probably around 200 total volume.

grouper therapy;477131 wrote: +1
This is the very reason that I drip mine 24/7 at a rate that is impossible to overshoot my PH. The JBJ is a good product and setting the float switches really close together will make the dose smaller but what happens if the switch gets stuck and the JBJ runs until it's timer cuts it off 5 minutes later?
How many gallons is you total system?

 

[snowmansnow]

hey man some folks are afraid of a kalk dump into your system with the ato hookup. That being said i run mine the same way. Just make sure your ATO is reliable (you don't want it getting stuck on).

Also make sure that no syphons will be created. I have my ATO about the same height as my kalk reactor, but keep a check valve inline.

Something else that can help avoid a back syphon is to keep your the line from your reactor to your sump OUT of the water a little. You don't want it going back into the kalk reactor either.

so..

1 - quality ATO (I use an osmolator)
2 - look out for syphons (careful what is higher than what)
3 - when in doubt use a good check valve

Good luck you should be fine