- What is Kalkalator?
- Kalkalator is an automated kalkwasser reactor designed to maintain stable calcium and alkalinity levels in reef aquariums by continuously dosing kalkwasser (calcium hydroxide solution).
- How does Kalkalator work?
- It mixes calcium hydroxide powder with fresh RODI water, in a sealed chamber and delivers it to your aquarium via a controlled dosing system.
- What are the benefits of using a kalkwasser reactor?
- Kalkwasser supplements calcium and alkalinity, without accumulation of sodium chloride, as with two-part systems. It also reacts with dissolved carbon dioxide, resulting in an increase in pH. This increase is extremely beneficial to coral growth and health.
- How often do I need to refill Kalkalator with calcium hydroxide (kalk powder)?
- This is primarily determined by how much you dose per day. Each litre dosed consumes approximately 1.5 grams of dry kalk powder. We include saturation monitoring, so once the saturation drops below 90% you know you need to add more kalk powder.
- Can I overdose kalkwasser using this reactor?
- When set up properly, the risk is very low. We reccomend not dosing more the 3% of your total tank volume per day.
- How do I clean and maintain Kalkalator?
- Rinse and clean out sediment buildup every few months, precipitated calcium carbonate can accumulate over time. Inspect tubing, EC probe, and pump operation during routine maintenance. Any build up on the gold probe electrodes can be cleaned with vinegar or dilute citric acid.
- Will Kalkalator raise my aquarium’s pH?
- Yes, kalkwasser naturally raises pH, which can be beneficial to coral growth and overall health, especially in low-pH systems.
- What size tank can Kalkalator support?
- Suitable for nano to large reef tanks. Much depends on your tanks evapouration rate and calcium / alkalinity demand, but the standard model can support a 1,200 Litre (320 gallon) tank with 2% evaporation daily with weekly kalk powder top ups. Smaller, lower demand tanks reduce the frequency of kalk powder top ups. We can also build custom sized reactors for much larger systems. Reach out if you'd like more information on custom sized Kalkalator.
- Is it safe to run the reactor 24/7?
- Kalkalator is typically run continuously. It's best to add at a slow constant rate to avoid dramatic pH increases. Some people opt to dose while the lights are off, to stabalize the natural drop in pH that occurs as photosythesis stops.
- Does Kalkalator require an internet connection?
- Kalkalator connects to the internet via WiFi for a number of features. It is required for automatically setting the date and time after unplugging the device. It can also be used to configure the device using our Spectra Connect app, as well as to record and store data such as the saturation level of the kalkwasser, and changes in dosing rate and period, on our Specta Connect servers.
- Can I contine to use Kalkalator without Spectra Connect servers?
- You can control and configure Kalkalator settings directly on the touch display of the device, without the need for the Spectra Connect app, or interaction with our servers.
