Calcium Reactor

[jamal-188]

I'm tired of dripping kalk and never seeming to be able to get my levels up and keep them up. I don't know too much about these but some people have recommended building one from this site http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/diycareactor.htm The only problem is the cost is around $600. Is that just what these bad boys cost or could I somehow get away with keeping it in the $300-400 range? I have a 110g now am going to eventually upgrade to a 180-220 so the reactor must be able to handle this. Any certain makes/models that are preferred?[/url]

 

[reefrunner69]

I'm tired of dripping kalk and never seeming to be able to get my levels up and keep them up.

I found that when I started dosing kalk 24/7 (adding vinegar to the kalk) that my levels stabalized very nicely and all I have to do is tweak one way or the other once per week or every other week. I find it unlikely that there are many people (although I am sure there are a few) that have as much calcium uptake (% per tank volume) than I do, and I don't find a CA reactor necessary.

For a DIY CA reactor, I think you can do one much cheaper than that. Seems like there is a decent DIY plans on www.melevsreef.com

 

[jamal-188]

What does adding the vinegar do? When I drip kalk during the day my pH hits 8.5 or so even if I drip it rather slowly. I think if I had a 5g bucket and a dosing pump it wouldn't be as big of a pain.

 

[reefrunner69]

it helps dissolve more kalk powder whin increases the carbonate and the CA that get to the tank, it basically supercharges your kalk. It also lowers the ph slightly.

 

[jamal-188]

So, how much kalk and how much vinegar do you add to each gallon of water?

 

[reefrunner69]

Keeping in mind that I have a heavily packed SPS tank...

I add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar per gallon of water and I add 1.5-2 tbs of ball's pickling lime per gallon. Dosed 24/7 via float switch and pump. Maintains my levels at about 400-420 CA and 7-9 DKH. Test once per week, and tweak either the CA or the Alk.