DON"T mix/store Kalkwasser in 5 Gal. water cooler jugs!

[Sidewinder]

The high pH must break down the plastic in these ubiquitous water cooler jugs. The first 3 to leak, no problem. I was there when they started. No mess. Not so with the last 2. Had about half of two (read 5 gals.) leak out overnight. What a mess.
The first two or three jugs I thought was a fluke, not anymore; they were also two different brands.
Just as nothing good happens fast in reefing, there are no coincidences in reefing. Beware..

 

[Sidewinder]

As a side note, what do all of you folks use to store/mix/dose kalk that is 5 gals. or more? With a 180, 1 gal. milk jugs are a PIA.
Thanx, Ed

 

[Anonymous]

I've always used 5G buckets for storing kalkwater with no problems at all. I recently started using the bucket that IO 200G salt mix comes in. These buckets hold about 7G's.

What kind of buckets are you using?

Louey

 

[brokekyle]

amazing!!! I've been using those water jugs for 9 years!!!in that amount of time I'll guess I had 10 of then crack..considering I fill it every other day I think that's a good track record for an $9 jug..I've noticed that the round ones are more durable than the square ones.. I also belive that the 5 gal is too heavy to manipulate around my sump.. I've added KW like this for years http://home.pacbell.net/kylesr/invert.html

 

[fishfarmer]

I've been using a 5 gal kerosene container that has a handle and cap. It is relatively clear and has gallon marks on the side.

 

[Sidewinder]

Thanx all so much for the input! FishFarmer, where did you obtain the translucent Kero containers?
Thanx again, Ed

 

[reefland]

This is exactly why a Nilsen Rreactor/Klak Reactor is so useful. No more mixing. I use a 5 gallon aqua doser jug, hooked upto my pump, which feeds the nilsen reactor. No wasted (or very little) kalk poweder too! I dose about 5 gallons of kalkwasser a day to my tank.

Once I had it in place, I felt so stupid for mixing that stuff up by hand for so many years.

 

[Sidewinder]

I've heard of the Nilsen/Kalk Reactor but don't know the specifics. I'm relatively handy, could I build one for not tooo muck scratch? It sounds like it would be a great addition to my Calcium Reactor. You dam skippy, I'm sick of mixing. Please elaborate... Thanx, Ed

 

[Anonymous]

I just throw a maxi-jet in the 7G jug to mix for a few minutes. Then mount the Maxijet in the bucket, about 1/2" from the bottom of the bucket. Connect to a flex hose that I extend up into the overflow compartment and pubb the MJ into a receptacle that is controlled by a level switch. (the Lifereef level switch is great for this application, though a bit pricey). Lastly, I throw out the last bit of water so that the scum on the top doesn't go in the tank.

I'm sure the Kalkreator is a little bit better than my method. I'd get one if my tank required more calcium than the above method can provide

 

[reefland]

I've heard of the Nilsen/Kalk Reactor but don't know the specifics. I'm relatively handy, could I build one for not tooo muck scratch? It sounds like it would be a great addition to my Calcium Reactor. You dam skippy, I'm sick of mixing. Please elaborate... Thanx, Ed

Pretty easy to build. Your best bet would be to use the search feature. Topic comes up once a week at least. Lots of DIY designs on the net.

 

[fishfarmer]

Sidewinder,

I found the jug at the LFS(Local Feed Store). Look in a hardware store or any place that sell kerosene supplies. I have mine set up pretty much like Louey's. Maxi jet(micro) in bottom with hose going to sump. Hooked to the pricey Lifereef float switch. I did have the float switch fail once though and send lots of kalk water to the sump.

I've pondered building a Nilsen reactor since I know someone who built one, but just haven't gotten to that point yet.

 

[xKEIGOx]

i have been using a small glass aquarium that i made my self for 1 year