flowerseller November 4, 2004 Author Share November 4, 2004 I got the check valve and after some fussing around with and watching the good news unfold on TV, my reactor is online and functioning superbly now for 24hrs. The valve is awesome, the swing style, and very well made. Since I use a float valve, want to continue with this system, and wanted to put the reactor where I wanted to, it quickly became apparent I had to have a check valve to accomplish all my goals. I must say however: This thing ROCKS! I use the digital timer so the stiring becomes automatic too. I'm pretty sure stuffs growing already. What are you all seeing in the functioning of your $70.00 kalk reactor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clownfish4 November 4, 2004 Share November 4, 2004 My reactor is working great! I haven't tested my calcium or anything, but my corals look nice and healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craby November 4, 2004 Share November 4, 2004 I fill up a bucket w/ ro water & pump it into the reactor w/ a float switch, but when the water level in the bucket is lower than the top of the reactor it backflows into the bucket, the same problem of backflow w/ my set up as Chip had. Krish told me about using a solinoid valve and float switch. I've got the switch, but don't have a valve. Any comments on pros & cons of solinoid vs. check valve? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller November 4, 2004 Author Share November 4, 2004 I like the simplicity of the check valve. I used the 1/2" swing style from McMaster Carr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clownfish4 November 4, 2004 Share November 4, 2004 What kind of pump are you using? I have a 5g bucket that is completely above my reactor and I just gravity feed with no back siphoning. But I would like to get a pump, check valve, and bigger container. So suggestions on good but cheap pumps is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craby November 4, 2004 Share November 4, 2004 You need a small pump so that it doesn't dump alot of kalk very quickly, but a large enough pump to pump water up to the head hight of the reactor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craby November 4, 2004 Share November 4, 2004 Chip, I checked on the McManster Carr website & only found metal check valves. Did you find a plastic valve, or is a metal valve a non issue because the RO water is non corrosive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller November 4, 2004 Author Share November 4, 2004 Plastic valve and got plastic (nylon) wing nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller November 8, 2004 Author Share November 8, 2004 Here's the link to the 1/2" npt plastic swing check valve I used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller November 8, 2004 Author Share November 8, 2004 :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PDang November 9, 2004 Share November 9, 2004 Does any body have 8 plastic 1/4" - 20 wing nuts left that I can buy? If you do, email me at phong.dang@uspto.gov Thanks, Phong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryL November 9, 2004 Share November 9, 2004 Phong the lowes in woodbridge has them. if you want i can pick them up for you, then we can meet some were. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krish November 9, 2004 Share November 9, 2004 The Lowes in Sterling has them as well. I picked up a few this weekend. However, they were out off the 1/4-20 1 and 1.5" nylon screws. -krish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller November 27, 2004 Author Share November 27, 2004 Has anyone had to add more kalk to thier reactor since they set it up? I started out with about 1.5 cups and had not needed to add. I used 1/2 my reagent hydroxide and 1/2 mississippi lime in order to make a transistion over to the lime. I can't tell you enough how happy I am with this thing and am clearly seeing a difference. While I'm in OH I'm finishing a skimmer for Howard and working on my twin Tube Calcium Reactor that got interupted by the kalk reactor which first got interupted by the pizza oven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctreptow November 27, 2004 Share November 27, 2004 Hey Chip I had to add kalk once after the initial load. The kalk in the bottom never fully dissolved but I noticed my PH started going back down. So I tested the kalk and found the PH of the kalk mix dropped to 10. I added more and it's been solid ever since. I agree with you my growth has exploded, my staghorn frag I got at the meeting has put almost an inch on since I got it. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krish November 28, 2004 Share November 28, 2004 Never had to reload mine. The pH is still holding up at 12. New coraline is now beginning to grow in small patches. This means, there is enough Ca left after the SPS have sucked up their share. -krish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller December 25, 2004 Author Share December 25, 2004 I just replaced the powerhead in my reactor. I have no idea how long it has been making noise but I noticed it 2 days ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctreptow December 25, 2004 Share December 25, 2004 Mine started making noise about 2 weeks ago. It still seems to be mixing fine so I thought I let it be for a while. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller December 25, 2004 Author Share December 25, 2004 There are still a couple of softer gaskets Ruh Roh cut out, first come first serve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryL December 25, 2004 Share December 25, 2004 mine has been making noise from about the 1st couple of weeks. it still mixes though. i think its just from the kalk building up around the magnet of the impeller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller January 10, 2005 Author Share January 10, 2005 I'm curious how often you guys have your kalk stir up? I'm at once a day for 5 minutes and that seems to be fine. I don't see a formation on the bottom and it seems to be fluffy. Chip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller January 11, 2005 Author Share January 11, 2005 So no ones mixing thiers or just not telling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craby January 11, 2005 Share January 11, 2005 I have mine on a digital timer from HD ($20) set for 2 min. every 4 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryL January 11, 2005 Share January 11, 2005 4 times a day for 5 min Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clownfish4 January 13, 2005 Share January 13, 2005 I am doing a full cleaning of mine right now because it isn't mixing as well and is pretty nasty. I added kalk once. One problem is I have a small leak through the electrical fitting. So I am going to slap some silicone or something on it. Overall I am VERY happy with the results! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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