DIY Kalk reactor

[duke62]

So I was looking for a kalk reactor and the one I like was over 300 bucks. So I looked at the design and figured it should be easy to build one. The hardest part was finding the clear tube and the 3/8 fittings. Well I found a tube (Thanks Vio) and now I found the 3/8th fittings that Im picking up tomorrow. Schedule 80 fittings but the only place I found them was in holbrook which is 25 min away from me. I am going to use a maxijet 400 for the flow. Price list as follows
Clear tube FREE ( Thanks again Vio)
Maxijet 21- bucks
Acrylic plates-20 bucks
Fittings 20 bucks
Hoses free had them already
Weldon free ( Thanks Charliethetuna)
Taps free from friends.
Gas- about ten bucks
Now it probably would have been even cheaper if I ordered online but once I get something in my head I need to get it done and dont want to wait

 

[ravi197699]

Nice build thanks for sharing, Please post pictures when in action...

 

[duke62]

Pump is on,its siliconed up now just need 2 -3/8 elbows for the inside with some hose and this bad boy is complete

 

[strgazr27]

Looks good. If I can make a suggestion you may want to add a 90 pointing down to help stir up the settled Kalk. Most Kalk reactors have the lower piping very close to the bottom and the upper fitting very close to the top ensuring complete mixing of the solution.

 

[duke62]

Mentioned that already ( All I need is 2- 3/8 elbows) 3rd post. The bottom elbow will have another hose attached that goes into the kalk

 

[strgazr27]

Yeah didn't see that.

 

[strgazr27]

How are you securing the top? Is there a second flange on top to be able to add more Kalk? Any plans on a PH probe?

 

[charliethetuna88]

Looks good man

 

[duke62]

I just made a graduation cap top. Drilled a hole and tapped it for the hose from the top off container to the reactor. The water is only going to fill to the drain you can see in the pic so it didnt have to be water tight. Just so no dust gets in

 

[vio]

Nice job, i may build one, if u ask me about " Acrylic plates " (1/4" thick) i got that to. You're welcome.

 

[duke62]

I used 5/8 plates Thanks though Vio

 

[Mattl22]

Duke how exactly will this work with a timer and a ph probe to turn it off when ph gets too high?

 

[duke62]

Matt it gets hooked to my ATO. When my water evaporates instead of the ATO water dumping into my sump it will go into the reactor and from the reactor it will go into my sump

 

[garys reef]

I thought you were getting out cause of your electric bill

 

[duke62]

I talked to the wife and if I cant get some bills down by the middle of April I am shutting it down

 

[ravi197699]

Are you going to leave the maxijet on all the time?

 

[duke62]

No its going to turn on for 15 minutes 3 times a day

 

[duke62]

This is the top. I took a rubber ring gasket and put it around the top and wrapped it with electrical tape to make a nice seal

 

[vio]

Matt it gets hooked to my ATO. When my water evaporates instead of the ATO water dumping into my sump it will go into the reactor and from the reactor it will go into my sump

Duke, not sure if this , is the right way, let's say today you have 20% humidity ( so dry, in special winter , in basement) then in few days or next day 40-50 % (so nice) then 90 % humidity (less evaporates) your Ca. + Alk. go up and down according w/evap. instead of how much u corals (or tank life) I will track by dosing, also try to put two valves, one for input , one for ouput, to help when u service (clean the pump).

 

[strgazr27]

Be careful the ATO pump doesn't top off while the kalk is mixing. If you're using an aqualifter it can run for 1-2 minutes as you're
probably aware. The Ph in the reactor can really climb while it's mixing. I would find a way to tie the ATO pump in so it's delayed 15 minutes either side of the mixing pump running. This will allow for settling of the solution. You don't want to be adding concentrated kalk mix to the tank. You want the clear liquid that sits above the kalk after it settles.