Kalk stirrer & reactor question...

[alexandre]

Was wondering why people use both a kalk stirrer and a calcium reactor? Do they not do the same thing?

Apologies if the answer is obvious, I have checked the net and found no answers!

[alexandre]

anyone?

[Gouldian]

When using Calcium reactors, some reefers may experience a drop in pH.

By using Kalk reactors, the kalkwasser will safely maintain the pH at the desired level.

HTH

[hammy]

they are near same but somewhat different.In a nutshell,

Kalkwasser ( limewater ) supply Calcium and hydroxide to the system. Thus maintain ur calcium level and alkalinity as alkalinity is the total system of carbonate, bicarbonate and hydroxide.

hydroxide being alkaline will raise the pH if it is dose in large amount at one go.

For a Calcium reactor , basically they melt the media and release Calcium and carbonate into the system together with trace element in a balance formulae.

[pingpong]

they are near same but somewhat different.In a nutshell,

Kalkwasser ( limewater ) supply Calcium and hydroxide to the system. Thus maintain ur calcium level and alkalinity as alkalinity is the total system of carbonate, bicarbonate and hydroxide.

hydroxide being alkaline will raise the pH if it is dose in large amount at one go.

For a Calcium reactor , basically they melt the media and release Calcium and carbonate into the system together with trace element in a balance formulae.

hmm.. so which is better? seems that most reefer in SRC uses CR instead of KR....

[alexandre]

Thanks for the answers...

Still confused as to which is more suitable..

Is it right therefore to say that they complement eachother?

Is it also the case that top off water is fed through to a kalk stirrer before entering a tank whereas a calcium reactor will draw water directly from the sump?

[hammy]

Thanks for the answers...

Still confused as to which is more suitable..

Is it right therefore to say that they complement eachother?

Is it also the case that top off water is fed through to a kalk stirrer before entering a tank whereas a calcium reactor will draw water directly from the sump?

essentially they supply different ions other than the common Calcium ions. i would not say one is better than the other as both are different things. Just like a Manesium testkit measure different parameter from a Calcium testkit, not that a Calcium or a Magnesium test kit is better.

Yes i would say both complement each other and will reach a stable stage .

in theory , using a kalk reactor will raise the pH in your system due to the hydroxide ions and using a Cr will cause a drop in pH due to the carbonic acid use to melt the media . with both used concurrently, the system will benefit to a greater extend.

Normally, a kalkreactor is used together with a top up water system.

For a calcium reactor, water can be fed to the CR from anywhere in the system . =)

[alexandre]

thank you for the detailed answer!! Very helpful!