diy kalk reactor

[slandis3]

Ok i am a little slow on posting this but i have some time tonight, so here goes.


Tools I used

7/16" drill bit
59/64" drill bit
tape measure
1/4" pipe tap
3/4" pipe tap
pvc primer
pvc glue
marker
cordless drill

Supplies I used
4" clean out cap
4" closet drain w/psi cap
4" pvc pipe
3/4" pipe
3/4" unions
1 - 3/4" unions
3 - 3/4" elbows
1 - 3/4" female x slip fitting
3 - 3/4" mpt x slip fittings
1/4" ballvalve
external pump (what ever you have laying around)

[slandis3]

you can use uniseals instead of pipe taps. I had the pipes and most of the fittings on hand.

Start by laying out all your fittings. Next dry fit the fittings to the pump, before gluing them together. After you glue them together, attch them to the pump using pipe tape.

[slandis3]

next measure on the tube where you'll need to drill your holes. Mark the with a stright edge. try to get the stright up and down from each other.

[slandis3]

drill the holes with the 59/64" drill bit. if you cant find this bit anywhere you can use a 15/16 just make sure you tap the holes all the way. If you use a 59/64" bit run the tap about mid way in. If you use the 15/16" run it in about 3/4 of the way in.

[slandis3]

Mark and drill the exit hole. make sure to get it as close to the top of the tube but leave enough room to install the top cap.Next install the base and pump.

[slandis3]

On to the top cap. Drill the center of the cap with the 7/16" drill bit. The run the 1/4" tap about half way through. Then install the ball valve. I used the JG style so i can plumb my auto top off stright to it.

[slandis3]

lastly install the top cap. Make sure you know the differenc between male and female slip fitting. Or in my case just pay attention. I bought a male slip cap and i had to go buy a 4" coupler. Opps. Let it set for a day or so the fill with water and check for leaks. I use the closet base ( I think thats what they are called), because you can mount them to a peice of wood for a nice sturdy base. I clean mine out 2 - 3 times a year. You can make this any size you want. The one for my main tank is 4 foot tall. I put a cup of mrs wages pickling lime in it once a month. I started it out with 3 cups.

Feel free to ask any questions. Also mods, you can move this around if needed. I give the club full permission to use this info as you wish.

[MechanicalEngineer]

Very cool!  A definite project to try later...like I don't have enough already.     Let us know the long-term performance of it!

[slandis3]

fter about 6 months or so the thread tape gets weak and needs to be replaced. Thats another reason i clean it out 2 -3 times a year.

[ohioreef]

slandis,

If you write this up as a doc file and email it to me I will add it to the DIY link at the top.

[ohioreef]

Where does the water go in and then come out at? I see the valve at the top, but there has to be another input/output.

[slandis3]

Where does the water go in and then come out at? I see the valve at the top, but there has to be another input/output.

The water goes it to the valve on the top and comes out the 3/4" fitting towards the top. I will post a close pic of the out put.

[ohioreef]

I saw that fitting on the side and wondered if maybe that was the outlet.

[Amstar]

so how is this working out for you?

[slandis3]

i have been using one for over  year now. I have stopped adding calcuim so its keeping up
 

[Amstar]

okay so dumb question.  what exaclty does kalk do for your tank?? 

[slandis3]

It helps add calcium back into the tank as well as helps dissolves phosphates in the water.