mogurnda July 7, 2004 Share July 7, 2004 Sounds good to me. Whenever you've got a free lunchtime. Coffee at the Cybercafe will work too. Edit: I'll send an email. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sph2sail July 7, 2004 Share July 7, 2004 Here's anotehr peristaltic pump to check out - this one's cheaper! http://iprocessmart.com/apt/so100.htm J Wow. I'm gonna call these guys. Could be a real value. Can be ordered with an ABS housing + Switch... I'll find out a bit more about the life expectency of tubing over the rollers, as that is the biggest problem with the medical pumps. s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Wombat July 7, 2004 Share July 7, 2004 Michael, The design looks good to me. I work in DC and am flexible about a lunchtime meeting or two. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisRD July 8, 2004 Share July 8, 2004 I have built (and still use) both a Ca and a kalk reactor. Scroll down in this thread to see pics (might give you guys some more ideas)... http://reefs.org/phpBB2....tart=20 A few notes for those interested in these types of designs... I found the 4"X2" reducer and 2" union top was both cost effective and much easier to seal than the big 4" cleanout plug tops shown on many DIY PVC reactor designs. Also, since those pics I have changed all fittings to John Guest speed fittings and plumbed everything with 1/4" OD plastic line (both reactors). The plastic line is cheap and commonly available in opaque colors (so that algae growth doesn't become a problem in the lines). I now use a JG ball valve fitting on the Ca reactor output line instead of the needle valve shown. Cheaper and seems to work well enough to make effluent adjustments (and works with the plastic line)... Another note - I found the the ball valve was not needed on the kalk reactor. A MJ400 provides gentle mixing even with the valve fully opened, so I never restrict it. I use a digital appliance timer to activate the mixing pump for a 1 minute run, several times a night (I only dose kalk at night). HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisRD July 8, 2004 Share July 8, 2004 BTW, for those looking for an alternative to using a peristaltic pump to feed your kalk reactor, a digital appliance timer controlling a feed pump (ie. small powerhead, vacuum pump, etc.) works pretty well. The digital timers are generally controllable down to 1 minute intervals and can have up to 14 on/off cycles per day. Total cost of pump + timer is about $30-$35. These timers can also be useful in combination with a float switch too. You can use the timer to limit how much the pump could run in a day in the event of a switch failure. You can also use it to control when the pump can run (ex. say you only want to dose kalk at night). Basically, you get all the benefits of using a float switch with a few added features. Just a few thoughts I have had after trying a bunch of different stuff (trial and error)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OUsnakebyte July 8, 2004 Share July 8, 2004 I want to come to the building party, as I am interested in a reactor. However, after reading through the thread, I wonder if I would be better served with building a calcium reactor or Kalk reactor...? Currently, I drip about 2 gallons worth of kalk a day that I mix up the night before. I have to do that just to keep up with the needs of the sps, clams, etc. I originally thought I would be building a calcium reactor, but now I'm not sure...? Would I be better served to build a calcium reactor or kalk reactor...? Cheers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller July 9, 2004 Share July 9, 2004 I would say to make a calcium reactor if you are currently topping off with kalkwasser. But, it's nice to have both. :D I'm making a calcium reactor in my spare time,(tube) and would like to see about making a kalk reactor at the building party or on my own later. Chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xeon July 9, 2004 Share July 9, 2004 Mike, I would start with a Kalk Reactor, in the very least it would save you from mixing kalk every day. All you would have to do is pump 2 gallons through the reactor each day. Also if the dripping is yielding good parameters, then you are in the green IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wirick21 July 11, 2004 Share July 11, 2004 Sound great guys. I'm in just let me know when. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryL July 11, 2004 Share July 11, 2004 i would like to be in also but still unsure about the cost and when it will be, let us know thanks what would we all need to bring for said activities rk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Stearns July 16, 2004 Share July 16, 2004 I'd be in for the Kalk reactor- Grav how is that home made drip design working? I still mix mine 1g each night - would sure like to get a 5+G canister to drip-- or a kalk reactor.Keep us posted when the party is happening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grav July 20, 2004 Share July 20, 2004 Lee, It has worked "okay" kept my water level alright while I was away, and has reduced the work of mixing calk every day or two. The the effect of gravity changing the drip rate is less than I had expected, however getting it "right" so that the water level neither goes up or down is a little tough. Perhaps this is extra tricky with a 33g with no sumo to compensate for water level changes. I swirl the 2L bottle about 2x per day. I put a lot of balls lime in there at the start and have yet to need to add more. Tank looks about the same, which is very good compared to 3 or 4 months ago before I was dripping Kalk at all, but the work is much much less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelg July 31, 2004 Author Share July 31, 2004 What is the status on the plans for building the kalk reactors. The Ca reactor people are hoping to build at the end of August. How many are there on the kalk end? We will probably have a cutting get together, and try to arrange the assembly at TRT. Did someone volunteer to be the lead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krish August 3, 2004 Share August 3, 2004 I want in on the Kalk Reactor DIY party. I already own a MTC Procal Ca Reactor, so would need only the Kalk reactor. -krish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctreptow August 5, 2004 Share August 5, 2004 I would also like to be in on this party, Is there any way we could get our acrylic needs together to join with the cal folks and maybe get a bigger discount? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grav August 18, 2004 Share August 18, 2004 Seems we have a lot of indians myself included and no chiefs. If we are not gonna do this, I may make a CA reactor with the other crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller August 18, 2004 Share August 18, 2004 Kalk reactor folks, look here for a post from "Chief Wannakalkreactor" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mmcaleer October 18, 2004 Share October 18, 2004 Is this ever going to take place or was it dropped? Sorry, I have been travelling for the past few months and do not know what has been discussed. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grav October 19, 2004 Share October 19, 2004 Mike, It happened, you missed it. We made 17 in all and each is spoken for. Check out the other thread, it's up to 11 pages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craby November 11, 2004 Share November 11, 2004 Are we doing a CA reactor group project? If so I'd like to make one as well. When are we getting started? It's been a while sense I've heard or read any news on the CA reactor. Luke C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryL November 14, 2004 Share November 14, 2004 me 2 :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller November 14, 2004 Share November 14, 2004 Someone was looking at making a square design one. I have one started but for some reason got stalled on it. Then we made the kalk reactors and I am really liking it a lot! As some of you know, I'm making a 2 tower 4.5" tube and now may put the pump inside like we did on our DIY kalkreactor. What kind are you all thinking of making? I may want to join in. I much prefer not to have the water flow down onto the media as it does on the square one in the second chamber. I believe it could/will begin to pack down on the "draw side" of the pump since it's really one chamber divided in two. Plus, since the way I'm using my kalk reactor and the stirring sequence vs water pump in(top off), are we really going to need a two chamber calcium reactor too? I can tell my calcium level is up by simply looking in. Just not how up. I own no test kits and a 10 year old ph probe. Anyone interested in coming over and testing my water? I'd sure appreciate it if nothing else. tng Chief Wannacalciumreactor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctreptow November 14, 2004 Share November 14, 2004 Ok I want one of these toooooooooooo.. SO lets get started. Chip you had some ideas on design. I can test your water if you like, I know my system is holding steady with Ca at 475 and Alk at 4 since I started up my Kalk reactor. I run the kalk reactor 24x7 my PH runs between 8.0 night and 8.2 day. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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