Kalk Reactors

[Dez]

I used to use both Kalk and Calcium reactor, but after starting zeo, the main guy on the zeo forum recommended that I cease using the Kalk reactor because the Kalkwasser has binding properties for P04. I have since taken it offline and my ph sits a little lower constantly, but everything is still growing fine. I'm not sure if you're a zeovit user, but this was the info I got from the zeo forum.

[Delphinus]

Yeah they don't like you running kalk if you're doing Zeo.

Other than the interference with Zeo, there's nothing wrong with running a calcium reactor and/or kalk reactor. "Old school" doesn't mean it doesn't work, just that it's not the newest bandwagon fad.

[whatcaneyedo]

In the first article I posted Randy talks about how the addition of kalkwasser helps to reduce phosphate by several different methods. Binding to precipitated calcium carbonate or forming calcium phosphate and becoming coated with organic molecules that are skimmed out are two of them. Hardly a reason to stop using it in my opinion. What was the zeo guys rational?

[Delphinus]

Probably on account that it's competing for PO4 (zeo will pull down PO4 as well). Apparently in some cases a slight amount of PO4 (or more specifically the ratio of NO3 to PO4) is more important than the actual numbers themselves (and both are used up organically) so maybe running both simply depletes it too much perhaps. I'm just guessing. It would be a good question to ask over at zeovit.com to see what spin they will have on that. If you do happen to do that please post back here what they say.

I hope I didn't put you off by calling it old school - not my intent. Like I said, it works great, it's just an idea that's been around a while (I was running both ... in 2002. ). I don't anymore though, I use my CO2 on my FW planted tank and just dose the reef tanks (using a ghetto but automated setup). It's more economical for me this way since I run multiple reef tanks.

One nice thing about a kalk reactor is that the output can be split to different tanks so it lends itself well to the many-tank-syndrome people. Calcium reactors cannot.

[whatcaneyedo]

Thats okay I was just curious. I've only been doing this for 5 years but I buy so many things second hand that I've become old school because the old electricity sucking equipment is so cheep to buy used.

[Delphinus]

Yeah, no worries, don't fix it if it ain't broke.

[globaldesigns]

K, I think I am confused... Isn't Kalk Reactors used to maintain calcium... Or are they different from actual Calcium reactors.

I was wanting something to help maintain calcium, automatically. Any help would be appreciated.

[whatcaneyedo]

Did you have a look at the first article I posted? BTW Lime, pickling lime, kalkwasser, kalk, and calcium hydroxide are all different names for the same thing. This is what is in the article:


"* What Is Lime?
* Where To Get Lime
* Purity Of Commercial Lime
* What Is Limewater?
* How To Dose Limewater
* Vinegar And Limewater To Reduce pH
* Vinegar And Limewater To Boost Limewater Potency
* What Else Is In Limewater Besides Calcium And Alkalinity? Metallic Impurities
* What Else Is In Limewater Besides Calcium And Hydroxide? Mg++ and Sr++
* What Gets Left Behind On The Bottom Of The Limewater Container?
* Does Limewater Degrade Over Time? The Degradation Reaction
* What Else Does Limewater Do In An Aquarium? Raise pH Whether You Want It To Or Not
* What Else Does Limewater Do In An Aquarium? Raise pH When You Need It
* What Else Does Limewater Do In An Aquarium? Reduce Magnesium
* What Else Does Limewater Do In An Aquarium? Reduce Phosphate
* Limitations To Limewater: Limits To The Addition Of Calcium And Alkalinity
* Dosing Other Additives in Limewater
* Lime Safety
* Summary"

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

[Delphinus]

Two different beasts but work toward to a similar goal.

A kalk reactor is a just a fancy kalk mixer. Some use powerheads, some actually use stirring devices. You can dose kalk without using a kalk mixer. The simplest setup is a bucket and a dripline and poof, done.

So the reactor makes it so you don't have to mix up new kalk as often.

A calcium reactor on the other hand uses CO2 to lower pH inside of it to dissolve calcium gravel. The CO2 diffuses out of the water after mixing into the tank water, leaving behind just liquid calcium. As such, it's a little more complicated, but can be adjusted to output a very high degree of calcium.

If your calcium draw is low to medium, the kalk reactor will serve your needs. If your calcium draw is extreme, however, it possibly won't be able to keep up.

But as stated, kalk can be used to precipitate phosphate out of the water column. This makes a kalk mixer still useful even if you have a calcium reactor.

[whatcaneyedo]

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

K, I think I am confused... Isn't Kalk Reactors used to maintain calcium... Or are they different from actual Calcium reactors.

I was wanting something to help maintain calcium, automatically. Any help would be appreciated.

I suck at explaining things but the last article that I posted:
How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
summarized the differences between kalk reactors, calcium reactors and 2 part supplementing methods.


EDIT: oops you just beat me too it. lol I really should get off the computer and go do something else.