A Man's Kalk Reactor

[NaCl_H2O]

Just picked this up from Pete's :D :D :D

Basically JimD's design on steroids, plus a few "extras" ;)

It is a 6" acrylic tube, 40" tall :o (had to match my skimmer ;)). Like I said it is basically JimD's design he shared with me last year with a few "tweaks":
- MaxiJet 600 to mix
- I will add a solenoid on the RO/DI inlet side
- I built a controller with a RadioShack SPDT relay
- When the topoff controller says it is time to add water,
- the RO/DI solenoid will open and force water through the reactor and into the sump (mixing pump will be off when dosing)
- When the sump is full, the RO/DI will be shutoff, and
- The MaxiJet mixing pump will turn on
- "Theory" is that the mixing cloud will not rise the full 40 inches
- Outlet to he sump is at the very top of the unit
- Added a PH probe holder and I will hang a PH monitor on it so I know when to add Kalk

Pete says to give it 24+ hours to "cure" - I don't know if I can wait :unsure

BTW - DON'T BUY FROM PETE ;) He makes great products, is enjoyable to work with, charges very reasonable prices, and "expects" you to benefit from his products - Jeez :roll

More pics & results when I get it going.

[brieman]

Looks good Steve, as always quality work from Pete. Let us know how well it works
Brian
P.S. Patience

[MikeyBoy]

Come on Steve, that pick does not do it justice............set a bucket next to it or something............people, you have to see this thing in person!!!! I was there when he picked it up!!! Its taller than Pete's 3 kids!!!

[::pete::]

Hey ... if its a mans kalk reactor whats it doing at your house!!! ? :D

Taller than my 3 kids ... there are 4 ... buddy!!

...and you had better wait!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

...and you had better wait!!!

Ok, Ok ... but if I wait and it leaks, I'm gonna blast ya ;)

BTW - I think it has a rust spot on it :lol

[::pete::]

...and you had better wait!!!

Ok, Ok ... but if I wait and it leaks, I'm gonna blast ya ;)

BTW - I think it has a rust spot on it :lol

The rust spot was free ... so dont complain!!! It will leak right in the tank!!! ;)

[MikeyBoy]

I know you have 4 kids, but the oldest just may be taller.............the three kids didnt comment didnt come out right..............anyway, its friggin big!!!

[::pete::]

SPDT .... simply put dont try!!! :P

Im sure Steve can help you out there.

[NaCl_H2O]

do you have a design for the controller with a RadioShack SPDT relay ??

It was a really simple "circuit" - I'll try to sketch it out and post later.

[motohead]

ummmmmmmm,looks kinda................professional.............

[scuba_steveo]

I'll take 2!

[scuba_steveo]

Can we get a discount if we get a group order going???

[JimD]

Theres one very important detail that separates my reactor from the rest, (Vortex reaction tube) I left that out when I gave you the info... lol :)

A possible problem I see with that design,,,, Since the output is at the very top and youre wanting the "mix cloud" to stay below that level, you may not get the full benifit of the 12.4 Ph and will be dosing less saturated effluent much quicker...

[::pete::]

Thats an easy fix to the quick connect with rigid tubing if necessary.

[NaCl_H2O]

Vortex reaction tube
You mean that fancy sticker on the front ;) I have an "Off The Reef" reacton tube :P


A possible problem I see with that design,,,, Since the output is at the very top and youre wanting the "mix cloud" to stay below that level, you may not get the full benifit of the 12.4 Ph and will be dosing less saturated effluent much quicker...
I agree, I am going to have to play with the angle of the MaxiJet outlet, I have a 45deg elbow pointed down at about 25deg for starters, and then as Pete suggested I can add rigid tubing on the inside of the outlet fitting. The PH probe should give me a good idea if I am dosing saturated Kalk water.

... More after I check it for leaks :)

[JimD]

On a reactor that size Id probably suggest installing a larger pump like a 1200 to get the mix all the way to the top and allow to settle. "play with the angle of the MaxiJet outlet" lol, thats where the top secret Vortex reaction tube comes into play... Aint no stinkin sticker! lmao. Ok Ok,,, take the output all the way to the bottom of the reactor and add a 45° fitting as close to the inner wall as possible, this will create the "vortex" or tornado like water movement that'll get the mix all the way to the top.. Can you get a pic of the inside plumbing at the pump?

[NaCl_H2O]

Ok, so I didn't wait a full 24+ hours ;) But it ain't leaking :P :P

I am using a ReefFanatic level controler Like This One (http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RF-RFLC&Category_Code=Dosers). I have the float sensors setup in a Max/Min configuration so the topoff/Kalk doesn't turn on until a decent amount of topoff (2-5g) is needed. The stuff hanging on the front of it is (from left to right):
PH Monitor (Duh)
110v Solenoid ($35) - opens when topoff controller is thirsty :D
Homemade controller - Solenoid On/Mixing pump Off, and vice versa

JimD: Pic one is PH after about 1 hour mixing, Pic 2 is PH after about 2 Hours dosing with no mixing. I'll be watching it for a few days, but so far it looks pretty good :)

Last picture is a full size shot, next to a salt bucket ... Just for Mikeyboy ;)

OK, How many more should Pete make? I get a free Beer for each one sold ... Already had three beers yesterday, so somebody needs to buy two more ;)

[MikeyBoy]

What I really think is that it needs more gadegtry hanging off of it. There must be something else you can add......some more switches, some more pumps, there just has to be something!!

[NaCl_H2O]

Hey, I could add a couple of CD players so it could play one tune when mixing, and another when dosing :P

[Tim Marvin]

Oh neat, that looks complicated...

[::pete::]

OK ... I just came up with something that will knok the socks off the "MansReactor" and Vortex? Ha, Im talking TSUNAMI !!!!! 1 Pump only for mixing!!!

[carlinsa]

lets get to the real question?? where do i get one of those rugs?

[NaCl_H2O]

lets get to the real question?? where do i get one of those rugs?

That's a MAASTard Wife secret ;) Got to get a MAASTard wife first ;) ;) Karen found it for me somewhere ... I'll ask :unsure

BTW - I took Jim's advise and changed out the MaxiJet 600 for a 1200, and it is MUCH better :D Kalk mix is working great.

This is now an AWESOME top off unit, and appears to be the "right" rate of Kalk addition for my large tank volume. My PH previously was in the range of 7.8 to 8.05. Now it is 8.1 - 8.2 everytime I have tested. Also, my dKH and Ca seem to be more stable: dKH=11-12, Ca holding at 400 now (was 375).

So far ... VERY Happy with my "Off The Reef" Kalk Reactor, designed by Steve, Inspired by JimD :D

[NaCl_H2O]

Update & slight design change! The MaxiJet 1200 quit working, so I draned the unit and took off the MJ ... All the impeller blades are gone :o and the metal shaft is badly worn :unsure
I am guessing the Kalk water is just to harsh for the MJ and the impeller blades became brittle and broke off ... I am replacing with a MAG2 - that should "Mix it Up" :skeezy

[Gator]

i would try a iwaki 70 or 100

[LoneStar]

Update & slight design change! The MaxiJet 1200 quit working, so I draned the unit and took off the MJ ... All the impeller blades are gone and the metal shaft is badly worn
I am guessing the Kalk water is just to harsh for the MJ and the impeller blades became brittle and broke off ... I am replacing with a MAG2 - that should "Mix it Up"


wow good timing in telling 'us'

I'm thinking about making my own and I was going to use a old 1200 but after hearing that I'll just have to sit back and see how your mag 2 works. :skeezy

[::pete::]

Same here ... Im going to the mag now ... thanks Steve ;)

[NaCl_H2O]

Well, it is working, but only time will tell if it "stops" working?

[::pete::]

It looks much neater too. Whats with the diaper?

[NaCl_H2O]

Whats with the diaper?
:lol It is still a very young Kalk Reactor :P

I put it there when I set it up to make sure it wasn't leaking, just never removed it.

[JimD]

Ive been using the same Maxi1200 for a year now, no problems at all, what kind of kalk are you using? Mag pumps and Maxi jet pumps both work on the same principle, if the Maxi isnt working, I doubt the Mag will last much longer,,... Did you start with a NEW Maxi? Also, how long, total, are you mixin in a 24 hour period?

[LoneStar]

Also, how long, total, are you mixin in a 24 hour period?


How long do you normally need to run the mixing pump on the reactor? All day? On a timer, say an hour here, an hour there?

[ratboy]

I really like my stir bar mixed kalk reactor. I had to cut it down a bit to fit under may tank but I just had to adjust the mix speed to prevent sediment in the lines. 2 years now and all I do is add Kalk - no maintenence! You can usually find them on ebay pretty cheap too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fisher-Scientific-Stir-Plate-Great-used-condition_W0QQitemZ7543987203QQcategoryZ26235QQssP ageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem