Read this and tell me if it will work

[porpoiseaquatics]

I've got an old Amircle counter flow protein skimmer. One that has the tube in the inside that goes to the bottom. I'm thinking about attaching it to the end of my ATO then filling it will Kalkwasser so that every time my ATO kicks on, I'll get Kalk sent to the sump.

Is there any reason this won't work?
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[porpoiseaquatics]

AndyMan;528672 wrote: dangerous mate unless you're using smething like an aqualifter for ATO

other question that comes to mind is .. how do you "mix" the kalk
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Well I was going to allow it to mix in the "chamber" before it overflowed and filled the sump. We're probably talking a quart or so at a time. I don't use an aqualifter (although I could)...instead I use a small pump.

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[porpoiseaquatics]

AndyMan;528743 wrote: If I read this right, you're gonna use 1 pump to squirt in fresh water to get kalk effectively mixing...

THEN, after it's settled a little, you're going to pump in more fresh water (to start the kalk fill -&gt; sump process) and hope that what ends up in your sump isn't straight kalk

Well no, was just going to have it pass straight through. Have the "reactor" filled with kalk (and RO water of course)....when the ATO kicks on, it would add water to the mixture of which some would overflow and fill the sump thus providing mixed-kalk to the sump. Is that not how kalk is generally added?

 

[johnr2604]

In theory it will work. I've seen people make kalk reactors out of RO filter housings by intalling a pipe to the bottom. However Like Andy said you need to be carefull. You only want to pull the effluent off the top and use a pump small enough to only stir it at the bottom without mixing it into the column. Its really not the best way. You would be best to devise a way to stir it seperate from the top off water. This way it will settle before exchanging the effluent on top.

 

[acroholic]

Hi Jeff,
Your idea is the principle the Tunze Kalk Dispenser works on, except it is sealed. I bought one of these before my first Nilsen, and I didn't like it.

Here is my review of the Tunze Dispenser from the Marine Depot website:
&gt;
OK for some...but. by DAVID G.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Posted on 4/22/2008 from ATLANTA, GA UNITED STATES
Comments: I bought this as an easy way to dispense Kalkwasser in conjunction with the Tunze Osmolator topoff unit I purchased. Basically, water enters the dispenser from the bottom, and water exits into your sump/tank thru the top. After about a week I took mine out and bought a Kalkwaser stirrer instead for a lot more money.......the issue? My tank is an SPS type reef and it uses a lot of calcium..so this product was not up to the task. I believe that this would work well in an LPS, mixed (Soft/LPS), or soft coral type tank where the rate of calcifiction is less. Anyone wanna buy a slightly used kalkwasser dispenser?
&gt;

Point of the above is: do this if you are itching to try a DIY, but for practical use in an SPS heavy tank it would probably prove inadequate, and either way you will probably end up buying a Nilsen stirrer.

MRC is at the high end of stirrer price points, but is a proven brand. Two Little Fishies has a brand new kalk stirrer out that operates without a pump. The water entering causes agitation of a manual stirrer inside the kalk slurry at the bottom, and water exits the top. I don't know how well this will work since it is a new offering.

Gray Seas Aquatics has a reasonable priced KalkStirrer as well. AquaMedic as well (online about $225).

 

[acroholic]

AndyMan;528818 wrote: now called "avastmarine.com"

their stuff is top notch!!!

That's right..avastmarine.

 

[acroholic]

Link for Reefbuilders/Julian Sprung video about the TLF kalk stirrer/reactor:

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

And of course their is always the "Andy Kalk-stirrer special"! I've seen it in action!