Simply for a friendly and informative debate...
" Jim is right, you have to be careful with the kalk mixture as the pH in there is very high. So, start with a low dose of kalk in your ATO. I'd start with 1 tsp/gallon and see how it affects your tank - that is, what your pH and Alk to make sure they don't go sky high. Adjust up or down as needed. Max dose on kalk is 2 tsp/Gallon."
Since the effluent of Kalkwasser wheather mixed and settled or in flurry form is 12.4 either way, You're using much more kalk per dose using a flurry than you would if you mix and settle. You can theoreticly put a pound of kalk in a gallon of water and the Ph will still be 12.4 when saturated. The Ph wont increase, only decrease as you dilute the solution...
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2. The slurry in the bottom is lethal to top off pumps, so what I did was I have the tube that goes into the reservoir resting about 1-1.5" from the bottom. This makes sure I don't suck up any slurry. When the water level is close to the bottom of the reservoir the end inlet of my tubing, that's when I mix up more kalk/Top off water.
Thats another benefit of using a reactor, no need to push the solution through a dosing pump, it gets forced out under pressure. What you're doing is working because you know the routine and needs of the tank. Basicly mixing the remaining kalk with fresh ro water, eventually settling. Id be curious what the Ph is as the resevoir empties. The pre-filter just throws good kalk down the drain. A well calibrated 24/7 Ph monitor is the only safe way to dose kalk via ATO... IMO!!!! Also lets you know when to recharge.
#4, Another reason for a reactor, an air tight mixing chamber,..
It really is what works best for you.