Who is interested in a Kalk stirrer?

[bad coffee]

Next month I'm building a kalk stirrer for myself. Since I'll have everything out to build one, I can build a few at a time with out much trouble.

Mine will be a stir rod style, not a Maxi Jet pump style. I'm using cast acrylic, and decent components. So it's not gonna be a $10 reactor. But it's not going to be the $450 price deltec charges, either. I think I'm doing mine in an 8" tube. If you want smaller, let me know, I can do it. I can basically build them to any specs you want.

I'm not looking to make a killing on these money wise, just defer some of my costs- cast tubing isn't cheap! I'm thinking they're going to end up costing around $200 or so. Probably (HOPEFULLY) quite a bit less.

I'll be ordering supplies in the next few weeks, so let me know. Before i plunk down the cash for anything other than mine, I'm going to ask for a deposit, which will guarantee you won't back out.

All profit I do make will be donated to the site.

b

 

[GreshamH]

How did it turn out, got pics?

 

[House of Laughter]

I've seen this bad boy - functionally efficient and I am sure the second time around will be much cleaner.

House

 

[Dace]

Where are the pics :arg:

 

[GreshamH]

Where are the pics :arg:

It's not really pointless, I just like the pic :lol:

 

[bad coffee]

EEK. I haven't updated this in a while.

I made a prototype of the motor/stir housing for Randy.

Did I take pictures? Um, No. Not that I didn't have the camera, but I just didn't take pictures. Maybe Randy will post some here.

I do have a pic of the 6" tube I cut yesterday to start working on the reactors. (I know, I said "next month" in December, but my work schedule has been a bit hectic this year.)

In the pic you see:
20" reactor tube
18" reactor tube
a bunch of ~3.25 motor housing tubes
7" cutoff that I'll use as a jig for molding pieces.

I still have a 60" piece of uncut tube, I figure I have enough stuff for 4 total reactors

B

 

[bad coffee]

Mine is most likely going to be 18" reactor tube.

Here's a quick drafting, I haven't drawn in the in and out plumbing.

B

 

[Solace Aquatics LLC]

Dang it Brett! I just bought a GEO, had I known you were going to start producing these I would have held off!

Thanks a lot Brett.

 

[[email protected]]

So how much does one cost?? and what kinda deposit do you need?
Rick...Schenectady

 

[Reef Mongoose]

I am interested in one of these, PM me details

 

[Dace]

Mine is most likely going to be 18" reactor tube.

Here's a quick drafting, I haven't drawn in the in and out plumbing.

B

Dude, where the heck have you been. i just bought the deltec Km500s today. Shhhttttt.

 

[masterswimmer]

Looking forward to seeing a completed one. You know better than anyone, posting something like this in the DIY forum, without pix, is equivalent to posting a thread in the photography forum without pix. :smash:

swimmer

 

[bad coffee]

here's the first motor housing. This is kinda ugly so it's gonna be mine.

my tap kept melting in the holes for the top cover, so I had to repair a hole. I figured out a better way than drilling-tapping-screwing the cover on.

B

 

[Solace Aquatics LLC]

Brett,
Look for a Interrupted Thread Tap, they are the best for tapping acrylic.

If you get one with a spiral point, you can tap with a drill press or mill. Just remember to keep the tap clean on the way in and the way out.

Super Sweet Tapping/Cutting Fluid for Acrylic
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=5886948&PMT4NO=


LOOKING SWEET!

 

[bad coffee]

Leo, I ended up using lotion soap for the screws. (I bought thread-cutters to skip a step)

This pic is the ring and the o-ring that are going under the motor housing. I might cut the o-ring and just sit the motor down on the tube.

I ran out of acrylic while 'experimenting' on the best way to cut the ring. Tomorrow morning I'll hit the plastic store and get more.

What's left to do:
Make the bottom half of the reactors:
---Cut the tubes to size
---Glue the tubes to the bottom pieces, Add the gussett band around the bottom, rout off the excess.
---make the input/output holes and shims for the fittings.
---Make a jig and make the stir rods. I've got to do a little work on the motor-to-stir rod connection.

I'm waiting for the switches and power supplies to get here so I can finish the electrical.

 

[artie1209]

when taping the screw use plenty of oil and cut the tap by hand making sure you use the properly matched drill bit, Acrylic is pretty soft material it only takes an extra minute.

Also check out this site they have a nice simple design that I am using for my inspiration for my build.
http://www.austinoceans.com/products-kalkreactors.html#kalkreactors

 

[jg2269jg]

hey can you still make these i am interested in one if it is still available and do you have the price for these bad boys thanks Jeff

 

[bad coffee]

Also check out this site they have a nice simple design that I am using for my inspiration for my build.
http://www.austinoceans.com/products-kalkreactors.html#kalkreactors

mine will be motor-on-top and be less than the cost of a magnetic stirrer. I'm thinking a 24" will be around $200.

which is about 2 gallons kalk.

I think they're all spoken for, but I'll let you know if any more are available.


B

 

[artie1209]

Sorry did not intend to infringe or insult you. Your stirrer design seemed very complicated to me. I did not know if you were aware of this design and was trying to help. I am handy but not an engineer. I was able to buy the stirrer for under 100 bucks and 20 bucks for the timer, had some acrylic leftover from previous projects. Was only suggesting this design because it seemed less labor intensive not a better product.

 

[bad coffee]

How did it turn out, got pics?

It turned out nice. Not exactly perfect, but definitely usable. I decided to put my in and out plumbing 90deg. apart, rather than 180. It will fit my application this way.

Things I'll do differently on the next ones:

Smaller bottom dimension on the stir bar. This one is about 1/32 away from the wall. I'm probably going to rebuild this one as well. I'll probably just cut and glue it, and be done with it. Or I might just make a new one when I make the next three.

Get a sharp router bit when I cut the bottom plate. I used one I had and it's quite dull. (anyone know of a saw sharpening shop?)

I tried 'gusseting' the inside of the bottom with Weldon 16. It worked, but it's just plain ugly. I need to figure out something different.

anyhow, here's the finished product!

B