Here is a review of the Kalkwasser Reactor manufactured by Reef Octopus and distributed by Aquariatech. Before i proceed, pls. click on the link below to give you an idea what Kalkwasser is and why a kalkwasser reactor is better than ordinary dripping.
Review:
The Kalk reactor made by reef octopus is made of Acrylic, which was cut clean and smooth with no sharp edges. The pump provided was strong and silent.
I did not experience any leaks or any problems with assembly. An illustrative instruction was provided for the assembly of the unit.
The kalk reactor had a big flange cover with a key hole locking mechanisim , which was held by nylon thumb screws and was made leak proof by a silicon gasket underneath the top flange(cover). The cover was easily removed by simply loosening the thumb screw and because of the key hole locking mechanism, you just have to turn the cover counter clokwise and lift, presto, the cover is removed. No need for tools and no need to remove the thumb screw.
In my initial test i added 4 heaping tablespoons of CaCO3 powder. I used a timer to turn-on the mixing pump 8 times a day for 2 minutes every time. RO/DI water came from a reservior and was controlled by a float switch, which was set to do auto-top off during the lights off period of my tank. The kalk reactor provided clear kalk saturated water to my tank, leaving behind the precipitated and undissolved kalk powder within the reactor body. Even when the mixing pump was running no undissolved powder went to my tank, when mixing was on-going the slurry of undisolve kalk powder and water only reached upto the middle part of the reactor which ensured that only clear kalk saturated water goes into the tank. The kalk powder i added lasted for more than 3 weeks, this greatly reduced the time i spend on daily maintainance, which allowed me to sit down relax and enjoy my tank more
.
Pros:
Great design and workmanship
Good quality pump
Less time mixing kalk and more time relaxing and viewing the tank
Great value for your money
Cons:
No detailed instructions manual
Overall:
this is a good investment. no more daily mixing of kalk and no more waiting for the kalk precipitate to settle before dosing. Definitly, one of things that can make reefkeeping a little easier
Happy reefing
