My DIY Kalk Reactor / ATO

I used all left over parts from a previous setup.

1 - JBJ ATO
1- Ario 400 Pump (200 GPH)
1 - No namp power head (100 GPH ? if I get out and push)
3' - clear tubing
1 - Plastic clamp
1- 5 Gallon Bucket

I'm using my Nepture AquaController Jr but you can use two Home Depot timers if you choose.

So I mounted the float switch inside my sump.  Connected it to my JBJ ATO.  Hooked my Ario to the ATO unit as the pump to push water into my tank.

I connected the JBJ ATO to one of my outlets so my controller gives it power only between 11:00 PM and 9:00 AM.  So I will only top off my sump between 11:00PM and 9:00 AM.

I plugged my no name power head into another outlet so my controller gives it power between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM so it's stirring the water inside my bucket between those hours otherwise it's off.  I add 6 tps of Mrs Wedges Pickling Lime every time I top off the bucket.

So between 6:00 PM and 9:00 AM the Picking Lime (AKA Kalk) is settling in the bucket.  But I'm expecting my bucket to fully settle and saturate the water by 11:00 PM (5 hrs) and is ready to be used to top off.

What do you think?  It's not a uber efficient Kalk reactor that's continually mixing the kalk and only pushing the saturated solution but it should work ok.

I'm hoping between my fuge light and the top off water my pH will be super stable while giving the tank a slight boost in Ca / Alk.  I will still dose but I'm hoping it's not daily. 

So what do you think?






Edited by sterling18 - August 07 2010 at 11:46pm

Good idea on the mix cycle.

Yes it does have a tight lid on it.  Only time it comes off is when I put more water in.

Humm, you got a point there Jeff.