Top Off

[mikesommers]

Anyone using an Aqua Lifter for ATO? If so will they work ok with a kalk stirrer? Everything is all at floor level so there is no real lift. Just looking for ideas....

 

[weaglereefer]

If you're pumping fresh water into the kalk stirrer, then yes. If you're pumping kalk through the aqualifter, it won't last long.

 

[mikesommers]

au01st;552956 wrote: If you're pumping fresh water into the kalk stirrer, then yes. If you're pumping kalk through the aqualifter, it won't last long.

Fresh through the pump! That was the info I was looking for.

 

[snowmansnow]

im still confused how you're going to determine how much the pump pumps into the kalk reactor, and thus how much kalk into the tank.

Are you using the pump just till you get an ATO in place, I mean like a DIY ATO?

At any rate go from fresh water to the pump.. pump goes to the kalk reactor... no pumps on the "hot" side of the kalk reactor. It just falls into the sump for ATO.

Also, make sure to put a check valve on the feed TO the reactor...between the pump and the reactor to prevent any kind of back syphon. It wont damage anything the first time, but it will corrupt your top off water and you'll need to soak your pump to get the kalk out.



B

 

[mikesommers]

I have 2 float switches on a top off controller. You plug your pump into it. You have a switch that cuts top off off, then an over ride switch in case that one fails. Its just a set of magnetic switches with relays. Its a basic Auto top off system. Its store bought from autotopoff.com, and you use what aver you want for a pump.

SnowManSnow;553010 wrote: im still confused how you're going to determine how much the pump pumps into the kalk reactor, and thus how much kalk into the tank.

Are you using the pump just till you get an ATO in place, I mean like a DIY ATO?

At any rate go from fresh water to the pump.. pump goes to the kalk reactor... no pumps on the "hot" side of the kalk reactor. It just falls into the sump for ATO.

Also, make sure to put a check valve on the feed TO the reactor...between the pump and the reactor to prevent any kind of back syphon. It wont damage anything the first time, but it will corrupt your top off water and you'll need to soak your pump to get the kalk out.



B

I see. Interesting! So you run the tube up high enough to prevent the water from going up the tube, but when the pump shuts off you get a siphon break.

AndyMan;553015 wrote: Put a T junction on output of Aqualifter with the extra piece of pipe heading skyward about 4ft... prevents syphon and backflow

 

[mikesommers]

AndyMan;552996 wrote: I'm running a pair of aqualifters for ato

if pH < 8.35 = via Kalk
if ph >= 8.35 = straight RO

Now thats cool.

 

[mikesommers]

dawgdude;552995 wrote: Just watch your pH during the winter time. Your evap rates will change throughout the year and I personally notice an increase in the winter when the air in the house is drier.

Yea I have noticed this as well over the past 5 years. Winter is very dry. I have always hand mixed my kalk up by hand until I decided to buy a Nilsen Reactor.

Thanks for the heads up man

 

[mikesommers]

AndyMan;553046 wrote: Controllers DO work in this scenario... VERY WELL! YEAH, it uses 2 ports off a ReefKeeper/whatever BUT ... better safe than sorry

Thats on the list! Its just $$$$ and got to save it up:up:

 

[mikesommers]

AndyMan;553058 wrote: $99 gets ya started!

Going with an Apex. Need a little more $ maybe by November.