DIY Kalk stirrer

[cl0wn]

here's the bits, i got the tub a while back from co-op for a quid or so. other bits and bobs i had lying around
lid had two holes drilled in pushed in some air hose connectors and use pvc pipe weld to glue. need several layers (5 or 6), tube needs to be heated in cup of boiled water and pushed on carefully.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/325_Vga.JPG


close up of the "stirrer" red hot small screwdriver used to make the holes, not shown but more holes on the reverse of othe yellow bit, so that water pushes kalk round.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/326_Vga.JPG
close up showing ro tubing used and warmed up over gas ring and pinched together using pliers.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/328_Vga.JPG
finished article ro tubing used and (blue) and elbow. air hose is the clear hose

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/330_Vga.JPG

in situ, perfect fit on my perc 90

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/331_Vga.JPG

top up starting to move kalk
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/332_Vga.JPG

bit later

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/333_Vga.JPG

later still

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/334_Vga.JPG


there you go, you may be able to see that i have put two anti returns stops the water being drained to the ro resevoir. any questions?

[mousehunter22]

Just one question!!!!!


HOW MUCH FREE TIME DO YOU HAVE PETER????:D:D:D


only jokin looks the dogs mate keep us posted on how well it works:D

[cl0wn]

didn't take too long to knock up. maybe an hour or so. can't test the ph of the effluent, as i don't have a kit that goes that high. but it is high!!!

[Tangman]

Hi Peter that looks the dogs m8, i will have to have a bash at making one for when i get my tank up and running. Twiggy:D:D

[dollydip]

nice one peter will be good to see how it goes:D:D:D:D

[cl0wn]

twiggy i've got some spare bits so i can knock you one up if you want.

[Tangman]

twiggy i've got some spare bits so i can knock you one up if you want.
Hi Peter now there's an offer i cant refuse:):), that would be good m8 i would like one very much thank you:D. Twiggy:D:D

[moorish]

very good peter you have yourself a lot of money.derek

[cl0wn]

twiggy may be a week or so before i get round to it, gonna trial this one for a week or so just to make sure it works ok, and have to go to coulby newham for a couple of hose connectors. then no probs;)

[Tangman]

twiggy may be a week or so before i get round to it, gonna trial this one for a week or so just to make sure it works ok, and have to go to coulby newham for a couple of hose connectors. then no probs;)
Hi Peter no probs m8 when your ready, i might in the next week or so have a ride up to Andy's as he wants some pics taking of his tanka nd as you live not far away we can come and see you as well. HTH Twiggy

[angel1]

Why do u need to add kalk like that? ive never used it, whats it for? sorry if i sound thick!:confused::D

LILYANN:p

[Timo]

Why do u need to add kalk like that? ive never used it, whats it for? sorry if i sound thick!:confused::D

LILYANN:p
Kalk is short for kalkwasser.

Some manufacturers info;

KALK+2 100G

• Contains calcium, strontium, and magnesium in the same ionic
ratios found in aragonite. This unique feature increases the
usefulness of Kalk+2 to reef-building invertebrates such as corals, clams, calcareous algae, etc.

• Provides temporary alkalinity and helps maintain pH within the
desired range when used as directed.

• Adds no conservative elements, such as chloride, to the
aquarium.

• Improves upon the industry-standard powdered calcium
supplement over the past three decades.

• Formulated by a marine scientist.

Reef Kalkwasser

Pure calcium hydroxide with unsurpassed purity and solubitly characteristics. Used to increase or maintain calcium concentrations at natural seawater levels. Easy-to-mix. Contains no phosphates.

Reef Kalkwasserâ„¢ is a pure calcium hydroxide with unsurpassed purity and solubility characteristics. Calcium hydroxide is used to prepare limewater (kalkwasser) solutions that will maintain calcium concentrations at natural seawater levels. Kalkwasser solutions maintain calcium directly and carbonate alkalinity indirectly. However, its capacity to perform these functions is dependent on evaporation rate and CO<sub class="subtext">2</sub> concentration. If the these two factors are insufficient you can provide additional calcium with Reef Advantage Calciumâ„¢, Reef Completeâ„¢, or Reef Calciumâ„¢, and carbonate alkalinity with Reef Builderâ„¢ or Reef Carbonateâ„¢ (do not mix these directly with a kalkwasser solution). While Reef Kalkwasser is a high purity and economical limewater mix, the beginner, or someone with not as much time to devote to their system, my prefer to use other less involved methods for maintaing proper ionic concentration levels.
DIRECTIONS: Never add this product directly to the tank. Add 3 g (1 teaspoon) to 4 L (1 gallon*) of water and mix to dissolve. If using pure water, a fully saturated solution is prepared by adding 6 g (2 teaspoons) to 4 L (1 gallon*). Drip this solution into tank. Monitor pH and carbonate alkalinity. Adjust rate of addition to maintain a stable pH (8.3–8.4). HINTS: Adding 4 L (1 gallon*) of a saturated kalkwasser solution to 150 L (40 gallons*) will raise calcium by 24 mg/L. Always use the clear supernatant (top solution) only and do not allow undissolved material to enter the aquarium. Keep this container tightly closed when not in use and minimize solution/air contact to avoid calcium carbonate formation/precipitation. Avoid contact or breathing dust. Do not eat or get in eyes. In case of contact, flush area with water for 5–10 minutes. In case of eye contact, wash eyes with water immediately (5–10 minutes) and seek medical attention.


New Reef Kalkwasser 1kg
Seachem Reef Kalkwasserâ„¢ is a pure calcium hydroxide with unsurpassed purity and solubility characteristics. Calcium hydroxide is used to prepare limewater (kalkwasser) solutions that will maintain calcium concentrations at natural seawater levels. Kalkwasser solutions maintain calcium directly and carbonate alkalinity indirectly. However, its capacity to perform these functions is dependent on evaporation rate and CO₂ concentration. If the these two factors are insufficient you can provide additional calcium with Reef Advantage Calciumâ„¢, Reef Completeâ„¢, or Reef Calciumâ„¢, and carbonate alkalinity with Reef Builderâ„¢ or Reef Carbonateâ„¢ (do not mix these directly with a kalkwasser solution).
While Reef Kalkwasser is a high purity and economical limewater mix, the beginner, or someone with not as much time to devote to their system, my prefer to use other less involved methods for maintaing proper ionic concentration levels.
Directions: Never add this product directly to the tank. Add 3 g (1 teaspoon) to 4 L (1 gallon*) of water and mix to dissolve. If using pure water, a fully saturated solution is prepared by adding 6 g (2 teaspoons) to 4 L (1 gallon*). Drip this solution into tank. Monitor pH and carbonate alkalinity. Adjust rate of addition to maintain a stable pH (8.3–8.4). HINTS: Adding 4 L (1 gallon*) of a saturated kalkwasser solution to 150 L (40 gallons*) will raise calcium by 24 mg/L. Always use the clear supernatant (top solution) only and do not allow undissolved material to enter the aquarium. Keep this container tightly closed when not in use and minimize solution/air contact to avoid calcium carbonate formation/precipitation.

[angel1]

mmm, now i wish id never asked!!!:eek::confused: Ill stick to zapping aiptasia with it.

LILYANN:p

[treeboa]

not having the r.o topping the system like that i am wondering if a dosing pump from a container will do a similar job, obviously on a timer system so it can go mad dosing

[cl0wn]

wouldn't have thought the doser would stir the kalk up enough. if you have a doser would be easier to dose calcium chloride. that's why i went with this method, saves me buying dosers.

[treeboa]

hhmmm you got me thinking now, i have a spare am dosing pump as well, just need to program the tronica to make sure it dont push too much in the tank at one go

[cl0wn]

if it does just dilute the swolution even further.

[treeboa]

time to do some research into this further, see if i can make a bomb lol

[cl0wn]

google randy holmes farley 2 part solution. plenty of articles on reefcentral, plus he posts there. u prolly know this anyway;)

[treeboa]

looked into it a few years ago, then something annoying happened ( a divorce :D) and it got put on the back burner and forgotten about

[cl0wn]

shame tetley doesn't post here anymore, tho he is on the darkside. he was a good authority on the balling method. like i say i can't justify shelling out for dosers.

[treeboa]

balling method.


well i can be on the balls up method :D:D

just had a look in the corner were my extensions are, what a mess lol, thank god the chair stops me seeing

[Tangman]

shame tetley doesn't post here anymore, tho he is on the darkside. he was a good authority on the balling method. like i say i can't justify shelling out for dosers.
Hi if you want to know about ballig method, Scooby UK does it on his tank. Lasgringo and i went over to see his tank yesterday and i must admit it looks well, and he says its easier than a calcium reactor. HTH Twiggy:D:D

[cl0wn]

ok been tinkering with this tonight and have put some big fat rubber washers on the joins where the holes are in the lid. will run some beads of sealant round tomorrow, cos it was leaking at the joins. will update later. otherwise it worked brilliantly.:(

[cl0wn]

hhhhmmm, seems this design is flawed, the pressure inside the container expands the container, when the flow from the ato stops the pressure is released and pushes water back towards the ato causing a back syphon. this gradually rots the membrane in the non return valves. then the kalk reactor empties. looking into hard plastic alternatives. anyone got a two little fishes phosban reactor going cheap. this could be converted into a kalk stirrer.

[Stevesfish]

Why dont you buy a food storage jar form debenhams or somewhere like that . i made my phos reactor and my carbon reactor out of a couple, also M&S do a tall sealable pasta jar made out of acrylic on there website .

[cl0wn]

cheers for the headsup.

[Stevesfish]

Always glad to help i like reading your diy threads , they prove that there is a method to reef keeping that doesnt break the bank :)

[stevieh]

i like reading them too it's a bit like blue peter:D:D:D

[Tangman]

i like reading them too it's a bit like blue peter:D:D:D
We will be using the middles out of toilet rolls next LOL.Keep it up Peter as all things are useful as well as saving money feeding the giants. LOL Twiggy:D:D

[cl0wn]

right got it sorted now, removed pot reactor anti return valve, left it looped up to prevent syphon and attached to body. turns out the effluent hose was too long, pic shows red line where i cut the hose and connected to the body to fix in place. that was the prototype, now onto the real deal.....
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/new kalk.jpg

[cl0wn]

real deal is gonna be the body of my diy phos/carbon reactor with the bracket also, so it can be external HOT. i will work on the first final design at the weekend.