Avast Kalk Stirrer & pH probe

[Water Dog]

For those using an Avast Kalk Stirrer, do you guys use a pH probe as an indicator to add more kalk powder? I’ve read that fully saturated kalk has a pH of 12.4. I’d like to be sure that if using a reactor or a stirrer, I’m actually dosing fully saturated kalk solution and stay on top of replensishing the kalk power as needed. I’ve also read that conductivity is a better measure of kalk saturation. Is anyone using a conductivity probe to monitor kalk saturation in your stirrers?

On my new tank, I’d like to start with an Avast Kalk Stirrer, dosing with a peristaltic pump, not through the ATO. Then as consumption increases, I’ll hook up my GEO CaRx and keep the stirrer for pH boosting purposes.

 

[ca1ore]

The Avast unit works really well, and comes with a probe port/holder. I have not personally used a pH probe; though I would thing it'd work just fine. I just make sure to keep an inch of slurry in the bottom and use it on my ATO. Plus it's not my main source for minerals, rather pH boost.

 

[Water Dog]

How often do you replenish the kalk powder in your stirrer? Is the 1” slurry your baseline indicator for when it’s time to add more powder?

 

[joseserrano]

I’d like to add the question of how often do you have to clean/do maintenance on the probe?

 

[dwest]

For those using an Avast Kalk Stirrer, do you guys use a pH probe as an indicator to add more kalk powder? I’ve read that fully saturated kalk has a pH of 12.4. I’d like to be sure that if using a reactor or a stirrer, I’m actually dosing fully saturated kalk solution and stay on top of replensishing the kalk power as needed. I’ve also read that conductivity is a better measure of kalk saturation. Is anyone using a conductivity probe to monitor kalk saturation in your stirrers?

On my new tank, I’d like to start with an Avast Kalk Stirrer, dosing with a peristaltic pump, not through the ATO. Then as consumption increases, I’ll hook up my GEO CaRx and keep the stirrer for pH boosting purposes.

Ca1ore is giving good advice. I got my avast k2 kalk stirrer about 6 months ago. After using kalk in ato for about 20 years, I decided to run through the stirrer with my spectrapure liter meter 3. I also use the pH probe as an indicator. However, I think you you can go with the recommendation to use the 1” slurry on the bottom as the time to add more. I’ve also switched from mrs wages lime to brs version. For just a little more cost, the solution is clearer so I can see the slurry layer much better.

 

[Water Dog]

I’d like to add the question of how often do you have to clean/do maintenance on the probe?

I’m not sure how often you need to calibrate the pH probe, but I’ve read that using 7 & 10 pH calibration solution is not ideal when measuring for 12.4 (saturated kalk solution). So perhaps it would be better to calibrate at 10 and 12.4 solutions. The 12.4 being 2 teaspoons of kalk power in a cup of RO/DI water, when you can be assured that the cup of RODI is fully saturated by the 2 teaspoons of kalk powder. I read this from an old Randy Holmes-Farley post on the subject.

 

[Water Dog]

Ca1ore is giving good advice. I got my avast k2 kalk stirrer about 6 months ago. After using kalk in ato for about 20 years, I decided to run through the stirrer with my spectrapure liter meter 3. I also use the pH probe as an indicator. However, I think you you can go with the recommendation to use the 1” slurry on the bottom as the time to add more. I’ve also switched from mrs wages lime to brs version. For just a little more cost, the solution is clearer so I can see the slurry layer much better.

Using your pH probe as an indicator, at what pH do you add more powder?

 

[dwest]

I’m not sure how often you need to calibrate the pH probe, but I’ve read that using 7 & 10 pH calibration solution is not ideal when measuring for 12.4 (saturated kalk solution). So perhaps it would be better to calibrate at 10 and 12.4 solutions. The 12.4 being 2 teaspoons of kalk power in a cup of RO/DI water, when you can be assured that the cup of RODI is fully saturated by the 2 teaspoons of kalk powder. I read this from an old Randy Holmes-Farley post on the subject.

For sure you can do that and its the way that will give you the most accurate reading. However, I calibrate with 7 and 10 solutions. Then I get a pH of 12.3 when it is saturated at tank water temperature ( my stirrer sits in my sump). When it drops below 12.3, I add more kalk. So, far I am controlling my alkalinity much tighter than in the past.

 

[dwest]

Using your pH probe as an indicator, at what pH do you add more powder?

When it drops, I add more. It will stay 12.3 as long as it’s saturated. I haven’t yet had to deal with the probe drifting, but as some point it will need to be recalibrated.

 

[dwest]

Using your pH probe as an indicator, at what pH do you add more powder?

FYI, I added kalk on oct 13. The probe hasn’t budged from 12.3 since and was about 11 just before I added more. I see about half an inch of slurry now. I’m going to let it go until the ph drops, then check slurry, then try to remember to report back.

 

[Water Dog]

Thanks you your insight. Much appreciated!

 

[FLSharkvictim]

For those using an Avast Kalk Stirrer, do you guys use a pH probe as an indicator to add more kalk powder? I’ve read that fully saturated kalk has a pH of 12.4. I’d like to be sure that if using a reactor or a stirrer, I’m actually dosing fully saturated kalk solution and stay on top of replensishing the kalk power as needed. I’ve also read that conductivity is a better measure of kalk saturation. Is anyone using a conductivity probe to monitor kalk saturation in your stirrers?

On my new tank, I’d like to start with an Avast Kalk Stirrer, dosing with a peristaltic pump, not through the ATO. Then as consumption increases, I’ll hook up my GEO CaRx and keep the stirrer for pH boosting purposes.

Very good choice on your Avast Kalk Reactor they work awesome! I Also bought there Diaphragm pump to transfer fresh RODI water from my saltwater mixing station thats installed in my garage. I transfer fresh RODI water through my Avast Diaphragm pump to my Kalk reactor which then dumps into my sump.. Plus, I use my 50 gallon mixing station for Automatic water changes with a GHL MaxiSA doser.. I use GHL P4 controller to monitor my ph. I never tried adding a probe to my Kalk reactor.. All the best..

 

[bbhs23]

The instructions that came with the reactor say to rinse it out every month and add fresh RODI water and kalk. This seems like a waste to me. For those of you that are just maintaining an inch of slurry on the bottom, how often do you rinse out the reactor?

 

[FLSharkvictim]

The instructions that came with the reactor say to rinse it out every month and add fresh RODI water and kalk. This seems like a waste to me. For those of you that are just maintaining an inch of slurry on the bottom, how often do you rinse out the reactor?

How are you testing your PH if you don't mind me asking currently? As far as your questions goes, i clean out my Avast Kalk Reactor every other month and I have had zero issues. Maintenance, HECK that's the fun part b/c it only takes about 5 mins if you have it hooked up the proper-way.
Good luck and let us know what you decide on.....

 

[Karl M]

I run an Avast K1 stirrer with a ph probe to monitor the kalk saturation , which mine runs 12.8 with a little over a inch of Kalk slurry (3/4 cup). I will add a couple of tablespoons once my 12.8 drops and will continue to do this for six weeks. I then dump the slurry rinse the container and lightly clean the probe.

At the four month mark I will soak the stirrer,container and the probe In a vinegar water bath then recalibrate the probe. I would not be to concerned what number reading the probe has 12.3,12.5 12.5,etc as long as it steady and then add more kalk once that number decreases. I use BRS Kalk as well.

 

[FLSharkvictim]

I run an Avast K1 stirrer with a ph probe to monitor the kalk saturation , which mine runs 12.8 with a little over a inch of Kalk slurry (3/4 cup). I will add a couple of tablespoons once my 12.8 drops and will continue to do this for six weeks. I then dump the slurry rinse the container and lightly clean the probe.

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Very cool! I have the Same Stirrer, i have the #avast k1 model and mine runs off there Diaphragm pump that connected to my saltwater mixing station since i DON'T have a reservoir under my tank.
I also, bought there ATO system with the the digital output option for the ProfiLux4 controller , so that just plugs right into the back of the P4 and a second float valve for redundancy.

 

[Flameback Pair]

Anyone know of any other kalk stirrer with a port for a pH probe? The lid on the Avast is not secure, has anyone spilled their reactor? @ca1ore @dwest @FLSharkvictim @Karl M when did you start using your stirrer in the history of your Cal/Alk intake? Was it before your demand for it could keep up with the amount dosed. What happens in an overdose?

 

[dwest]

I have not spilled over my avast k2. You’re right that it won’t hold pressure and would leak if the outlet nozzle clogged. I keep mine in my sump for that reason. I hooked the stirrer up after using kalk in my ato for many years. I now pump 4.2 liters of kalk per day through my stirrer via my liter meter 3, then the remainder of my evaporation goes through my ato.

I’m not sure I answered your question though... in a minor overdose, my alkalinity would increase. But a major overdose could wipe out my system. I would say that would be the same with any alkalinity supplement though.