Recommended auto Kalk Dosers/Mixers?

Interesting, sorry, bunch of questions though...
So this runs all the time?
have you checked to see if the effluent cloudy or clear?
Or checked the pH of the effluent?
The output line never clogs or just not as often?
How long have you run it?

 

Yes it runs all the time.

The effluent is cloudy at the bottom, where my ATO line feeds into it but it clears up at the top where it feeds into my sump. So you are dosing clear, saturated Kalwasser.

I have not checked the Ph of the effluent, but my tank Ph is stable @ 8.4.

No, the output never clogs. The output line it 1/2" tubing, not the standard airline tubing.

I've been running this stirrer since Aug. 2010.

Here is a link to a BRS video of the unit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YABfHvMdrsA&feature=player_embedded

 

It sounds nice. Probably quite similar to the mixer. I think that the pros and cons are mostly the same. The main difference is the timer. I'm still undecided if this is good or bad. I guess, if you have it in a timer, and have your dosing pump on a timer, where the dosing pump isn't set to come on until some time after the kalk mixes, allowing it to settle, you'd have less solids in the effluent. Of course with the stirrer, you could also do this. So, it's sort of a wash, but with the stirrer, if you don't care you don't need a pump. Also, you probably don't have to worry about replacing pumps as much though, so, that's a plus. So, overall, the stirrer does sound better than the mixer for sure.

I'm a little skeptical on the clogging though, as my mixer output line still clogs. I think if the lime is saturated, this is going to happen. That's why I asked about the effluent pH. If it isn't clogging, I suspect it isn't saturating. I just don't see any other physical way why saturated lime water would clog with a mixer, but not with a stirrer. Anything is possible though, and it isn't an issue if your keeping up with demand.

 

but with a 1/2" output line i cant see that clogging to fast. those dosing pump airlines clog so fast with kalk whats the out put line on yours?

 

Oh, I see, that makes sense then. This is a great idea! On my mixer actually, the output line unscrews, so, it could also be replaced with a 1/2 output. That would be a great idea if I wanted to keep it. I think you could also easily use 1/2" on a gravity fed system. It's may be tough to find a parasitical pump that can use 1/2" though. So, it sounds like lack of clogging is a benefit of a mixer, stirrer, or gravity fed drip, if you use larger output tubing.

I still think the buckets advantages of guaranteed potency, self-purification/lack of impurities and ability to supersaturate/carbon dose with vinegar. For me these are more important than clogging, but obviously, there is no "right answer".

If someone has a solution to these, then we are really getting somewhere.
I may have one, let me know what you think though. I think the gravity fed system could potentially do all this, but you might need to design your own. The only issue with the gravity fed, is the control would need to be on the air input side to the container, not the output side, as a valve or restriction in the output side could still clog. Still a clogged valve would be easy to unclog by soaking for a bit in vinegar. I think this is an easy fix though to just move to the air input side instead.

As I'm looking for an alternative to my mixer, unless anyone anyone has any other ideas? this may be my next diy project. I'm thinking, I'll take a container, put an air input tube with a valve on one side. Then a 1/2" output tube. On the output tube, I may put a solenoid (or could be on the input tube I guess too). the solenoid will be plugged into my ATO instead of a pump and the gravity feed will then turn on when needed.

Anyone see any issues with this? or have any suggestions? Matt, do you want me to move this to a different thread? if it is not in the spirit of this one, I don't mean to hijack it LOL. Maybe could put a stirrer, on a timer into the container

 

Nah we are still talking about kalk and dosing methods so it's not entirely off the rails.

I am telling you that kent marine setup I posted pics of with the float worked for YEARS without fail and only occasional maintenance. If I recall, I would only clean the end of it off every other water change or so. Never had problems with it. I am excited to get that setup going again. It doesn't get much easier. Do you need a fancy aquadose bucket over a $7 normal one? Of course not. Sometimes my old age makes me lazy though and I don't always DIY now.

matt

 

oh, ok, well maybe I'll see if I can get one of those then. A new project sounded exciting though

Edit: Never mind model or kit. figured it out... Need the kit for the solenoid LOL.

 

what i like about this is the ease. i found this unit at a good price on line just now. thinking i might like this set up

i mix my kalk in my ato. my problem is i turn the ato off and let the kalk settle for an hour. but i seem to forget to turn the ato back on at times. would be nice to just fill the ato and deal with kalk monthly. my other question was how hard is this to open to add kalk?

 

I used to run the Tunze kalk reactor and top-off. I now run a Precision Marine Kalk reactor with the Tunze auto topoff and I am very happy. The pump runs for 5 mins every 3 hours. I think I paid $179 at the LFS. It came with a Maxijet 400 but they went out every 3-5 months. Good thing is, maxijets are cheap and take about 30 seconds to replace. I have now upgraded to a Maxijet 600 and have had it running for almost 2 years without fail.

 

i just read that the Aquamedic Kalk Stirrer actually works better with the tom's aqualifter, that the faster dosers 8 gph cause a bit of cloud in the top water. were the aqualifters dont do that. i just emailed aquacave , i plan on trying the aquamedic. good thing is i have a aqualifter laying here in the closet will try it with that first on my jbj ato