Kalkwasser on an Ecotech Versa?

[PizzaOven]

Does anyone use a Versa for kalkwasser (not stirrer)? I need to dose ~750mL daily. I'd like to dose it continuously instead of hourly, would this be noisy?

 

[Alexander1312]

First of all, dont use Kalkwasser. But if you cannot help it, I used the Versas do dose several times of that daily and it was not an issue - and they are not noisy if well maintained.

 

[PizzaOven]

First of all, dont use Kalkwasser. But if you cannot help it, I used the Versas do dose several times of that daily and it was not an issue - and they are not noisy if well maintained.

CLOSE YOUR EYES!!

Thanks, sounds like it could work. Were you running it continuously or in discrete doses?

 

[Alexander1312]

CLOSE YOUR EYES!!

Thanks, sounds like it could work. Were you running it continuously or in discrete doses?

Hourly during lights off. Running it 24/7 is only 31 ml over 60 minutes, so this should not create any noise. I am running a higher amount of alkalinity / highly diluted hourly over a 10 minute timeframe and do not hear much.

Did I mention you should not do this? And don't complain about algae or cyano issues later....

 

[Patio]

Does a stirrer change the noise level? I use it on a stirrer. It’s pretty quiet.

 

[Alexander1312]

Just a little visual in case this helps…

 

[CaseyP]

What @Alexander1312 thinks happens when you add kalkwasser

 

[FinalPhaze987]

It shouldn't be loud at all. Im dosing roughly the same amount throughout the day and can hear the pump going off.

 

[PizzaOven]

Does a stirrer change the noise level? I use it on a stirrer. It’s pretty quiet.

Just thought I'd mention I'll be dosing from pre-mixed kalkwasser in case it changes the answer. I'm not super familiar with stirrers. Good to hear it's quiet for you! I think I'll pick up a Versa.

 

[Alexander1312]

Just thought I'd mention I'll be dosing from pre-mixed kalkwasser in case it changes the answer. I'm not super familiar with stirrers. Good to hear it's quiet for you! I think I'll pick up a Versa.

Versas are still the best all-rounder dosing pumps. The Hydros sole seems to have some challenges, and the newest Hydros dosing pumps intended for water changes are VERY promising, but also VERY (!) expensive. They are in my pipeline of personal birthday gifts (no. 1 Aquawiz, no. 2 Hydros Duet).

 

[RandyC]

I have many versas. They're great for periodic dosing of liquids that do not crystallize, precipitate or draw anything that may have solids in it (like tank water). They're not so great for continuous duty cycle applications like a calcium reactor.

The barb they use on the inside of their tubing is very small and easily gets clogged. In addition, the tubing material they chose gets hard from the rollers fast (<6 months of continuous duty cycle - ~25-30ml/min) and they need to be replaced like clockwork.

They're are not too loud, however, depending on where it's located it potentially could annoy you. They can sometimes make a slight, faint clicking sound so if they're close to where you spend a lot of time it could potentially be annoying. Also, if you mount them on a wall, they create the perfect vibration that carries through wall and I could hear a constant whirring sound on the second floor above where they were mounted (could just be my house). They were running between 25-30ml/min for my calcium reactor.

I have a couple spare backup versas if you want to try it out first. Probably have to get new tubing for them if you want to try them out. But I went back to using masterflex peristaltic pumps for my calcium reactors because my versas were getting clogged so much.

 

[PizzaOven]

They're great for periodic dosing of liquids that do not crystallize, precipitate or draw anything that may have solids in it (like tank water).

I'm guessing saturated Kalkwasser would clog the small barb on the Versa fairly quickly? I'm starting to see the benefits of a Kalk stirrer which only puts RODI thru the pump.

I have a couple spare backup versas if you want to try it out first. Probably have to get new tubing for them if you want to try them out.

Appreciate the offer! I think I'll bite the bullet and order one, but switch to a Kalk reactor to extend the life of the tube/motor.

Versas are still the best all-rounder dosing pumps. The Hydros sole seems to have some challenges, and the newest Hydros dosing pumps intended for water changes are VERY promising, but also VERY (!) expensive. They are in my pipeline of personal birthday gifts (no. 1 Aquawiz, no. 2 Hydros Duet).

This is the first I've heard of the Hydros duet! I like that it will be functional as a standalone unit, which is one of the reasons I've avoided the DOS for so long. But yah, over 2x the price is a tough sell for me

 

[SeanMc]

I've been using saturated Kalk on a Versa for a couple months.

I have it dosing very small amounts, ~30-80ml per day spread over several hours. At that low rate, you cannot hear it. It's in my bedroom. I doubt 750ml spread over 24 hours will be very loud. As a data point, to me, 30ml per minute is audible, but not loud, at least where mine are.

No clogs yet, but like @RandyC said, and I've seen elsewhere online, they apparently require regular maintenance. I personally can't comment on long term maintenance. I had it doing ESV 2 part at an even lower volume for about 4 months with no issues.

I also mounted mine with 2lb command strips, fwiw, and that worked really well. I've moved and remounted them several times.

 

[Alexander1312]

I have four of them, two on each tank. Never had any of the issues others are stating. I replace the tube annually.

 

[L/B Block]

Does anyone use a Versa for kalkwasser (not stirrer)? I need to dose ~750mL daily. I'd like to dose it continuously instead of hourly, would this be noisy?

For that amount you could use a Red Sea doser -I did with an avast stirrer -worked nicely. The doser was quiet.

 

[PizzaOven]

For that amount you could use a Red Sea doser -I did with an avast stirrer -worked nicely. The doser was quiet.

That’s what I’m using to dose kalkwasser now (ReefDose-4). I find it kinda noisy even at the lowest setting. I guess “noisy” is subjective and depends on other factors. How much are you dosing per day?

 

[L/B Block]

That’s what I’m using to dose kalkwasser now (ReefDose-4). I find it kinda noisy even at the lowest setting. I guess “noisy” is subjective and depends on other factors. How much are you dosing per day?

I am no longer dosing kalk. But I was dosing 500-600 ml depending.

The tubing size for the Red Sea doser may be an issue and that “noise” may be the precipitation building in the tubing. Does it make that noise with other dosing liquids.

Using the avast was a big plus as it just pumped water in and didn’t have to worry about lines precipitating. Just take every 3 months -empty and wash out precipitation from tubing from avast (a must or water will flow through top)

I won’t comment on @Alexander1312 opinion but for me the kalk didn’t work so well with my PH issue (co2 scrubber to the rescue) & really tripped up the AFR dosing as I had to compensate for alk but then CA and trace elements were too low.

 

[Alexander1312]

I am no longer dosing kalk. But I was dosing 500-600 ml depending.

The tubing size for the Red Sea doser may be an issue and that “noise” may be the precipitation building in the tubing. Does it make that noise with other dosing liquids.

Using the avast was a big plus as it just pumped water in and didn’t have to worry about lines precipitating. Just take every 3 months -empty and wash out precipitation from tubing from avast (a must or water will flow through top)

I won’t comment on @Alexander1312 opinion but for me the kalk didn’t work so well with my PH issue (co2 scrubber to the rescue) & really tripped up the AFR dosing as I had to compensate for alk but then CA and trace elements were too low.

I am still counting you to the anti-kalk camp haha.

 

[yosemiteclimber]

Just a little visual in case this helps…

View attachment 79482

/dumps kalkwasser down the drain

 

[L/B Block]

I am no longer dosing kalk. But I was dosing 500-600 ml depending.

The tubing size for the Red Sea doser may be an issue and that “noise” may be the precipitation building in the tubing. Does it make that noise with other dosing liquids.

Using the avast was a big plus as it just pumped water in and didn’t have to worry about lines precipitating. Just take every 3 months -empty and wash out precipitation from tubing from avast (a must or water will flow through top)

I won’t comment on @Alexander1312 opinion but for me the kalk didn’t work so well with my PH issue (co2 scrubber to the rescue) & really tripped up the AFR dosing as I had to compensate for alk but then CA and trace elements were too low.

I am still counting you to the anti-kalk camp haha.

I am not totally against it—but I think it’s use is quite limited