How does a Nelsian Reactor work?

[kipreefer]

I think that is how you spell it? But in other words how do i build one or how does it work. I have only heard bits and pieces on them but no details like what i see on clacium reactors and the sort.

 

[Anonymous]

A Nilsen reactor is basically a kalkwasser reactor, keeping a satured concentration of kalk water available and must be used with some form of top off system. The top off system should be one that slowly adds water back to the tank (ie not a powerhead hooked up to a float switch) since you don't want to introduce a great amount of kalk water in a short amount of time. When I built mine, I used the following links BillE's Nilsen Reactor and OzReef Nilsen Reactor. I actually used white PVC for mine to cut the cost even further and it has been working great for over a year, making maintenance even less and can spend more time actually looking at and enjoying my reef. I will concede that mine is not as pretty as some of the commercially built ones and the magnetic stirers are better, but for $35, not too bad.

 

[Mac1]

Fear not SKBok, mine cost me 10-bucks, and is by far, uglier

Used a plastic trash can, a 90-degree Threaded Elbow, and simply punched a hole in the side of the can near the top. Got a threaded nipple and some teflon tape to seal the 90-nipple connection against the plastic, and threw some old flexi-tubing on the end of the nipple, and into the sump. Dosing pump puts water into the can, and as the water level rises, it flows down the 90, through the tubing, and into the sump. Been using that rig for a little over a year now also. Works great!

- Mac

 

[Anonymous]

Most Nilsen reactors are made so that air will never be in contact with the water because CO2 in the air will react with the kalkwasser producing insoluble (at high pH) calcium carbonate. I cheated and made one out of a bucket that wasn't airtight, but I found a tip somewhere to cover the water in the bucket with a piece of styrofoam - it floats and protects the water from contact with air (or 95% of the water anyway, which was good enough for me!).

jayo

 

[Mac1]

Hi Jayo,

That's why I used the 90-degree fitting in my reactor. I placed the fitting on the inside of the container, so that the opening in the 90 was facing down, below the water level. Any of the precipitate that forms on the top won't get into the tank. I usually only load my Reactor once a month, and just let the stuff grow on there. I know it's wasteful, but w/ Kalk costing me under a buck a month... I don't sweat it

- Mac

 

[kipreefer]

Thanks for the info i think im going to make one i know i am getting a PH probe and monitor for my birthday. This is also alot cheaper then a Calcium Reactor.

Thanks again

 

[danmhippo]

I believe Kalk reactor raises Calcium in the tank where as Calcium reactor maintains the alkalinity. Kalk reactor would compliment calcium reactor, but my not entirely replaces benefits of having a calcium reactor.

I cheated with installing a kalk reactor and dose alkalinity on weekly basis.

 

[Mac1]

No Dan, Kalkwasser supplements both Calcium and Alkalinity. The Neilsen reactor is just an automated way of dosing and mixing it.

- Mac

 

[danmhippo]

Ok, Why is it that people Kalk and Ca reactor compliment each other? Is kalk just to offset the supressed ph of Ca reactor?

 

[SPC]

Posted by Dan:

Ok, Why is it that people Kalk and Ca reactor compliment each other? Is kalk just to offset the supressed ph of Ca reactor?

-Yes, a calcium reactor tends to drive down PH due to the CO2 injection, kalk raises PH. Why not just use kalk then instead of using a calcium reactor some may ask, the answer is in what level your calcium demands are. For those who have alot of calcium loving animals, kalk alone will not supply enough calcium to the system.
Steve

 

[danmhippo]

Thanks Steve.

 

[Mac1]

That's right Steve, thanks!
It is harder to add as much Kalkwasser as a system may require, as opposed to just cranking up the flow rate on a Calcium Reactor. That's actually why all this discussion about juicing Kalkwasser w/ Vinegar has come about. I ran into a similar problem in my tank, however was easily able to rectify it: Added a couple Fan's. By evaporating more water, I simply adjusted my Dosing Pump's Output (thereby increasing the amount of Kalk I was dosing), and got everything back to where I want it.

- Mac