Before I start Kalkwasser, am I doing this correctly ?

tigastt · Aug 31, 2017

I'm going to start using Kalk from BRS, is this the correct parameters and way

So after doing a water change 8/21 using Fritz Salt (First time use of this salt, came from reef crystals)

I monitored my PH, CA, MG (per Kalk instructions) and amount of water that evaporates

My PH when lights are on 8.15 off 7.7
CA since water change 8/21 is 470-500
MG since water change 8/21 is 1410-1470
Water that evaporated from 8/21-8/31 = 5 Gallon (RODI water container)

All tests are done using salifert test kits, and done every 2 days (except PH)

TDS level using Digital Aid TDS-EC is 1

My tank is 40G Breeder with tons of zoas, a couple of euphyllias, a couple of SPS, mushrooms, two RBTA, 6 lines wrasse, Mandarin Goby, Starry Blenny, tons of CUC

My sump is 10 G with refugium in the middle so I think I’m between 45-47 gallons of water. In the sump I have chemipure elite and purigen where the pump is.
In addition I am running a Seachem Phosguard reactor which is not really helping since I still have a little bit of GNA.

I am running a skimmer 70% max

Tank has been running for more than a year

I water change between 2-3 weeks.

So here’s my question. The 5 gallon Container I’m planning on using it as ATO with the Kalk mixed in.

Do I start with the 2 teaspoons per gallon ? or start with 1 tsp per G?

McArcher · Aug 31, 2017

Mark Callahan did a good vid on this:

Smashville · Aug 31, 2017

Start with a 1/2 tsp per gallon.

Flippers4pups · Aug 31, 2017

I use kalkwasser in my ATO and I'm at the max of 1 1/2 tsp per gallon. 16 gallon ATO. I adjust my calcium and alkalinity around what it doses in to my system.

If starting out. I would start at 1 tsp per gallon and see what it does to your alkalinity. I strive to keep my alkalinity at 8-9dkh. Mostly SPS and LPS.

tigastt · Aug 31, 2017

McArcher said:
Mark Callahan did a good vid on this:

I did watch this, but I still want replies here hahaha thanks though

Smashville said:
Start with a 1/2 tsp per gallon.

Will do!

Flippers4pups said:
I use kalkwasser in my ATO and I'm at the max of 1 1/2 tsp per gallon. 16 gallon ATO. I adjust my calcium and alkalinity around what it doses in to my system.

If starting out. I would start at 1 tsp per gallon and see what it does to your alkalinity. I strive to keep my alkalinity at 8-9dkh. Mostly SPS and LPS.

Thanks! I will start with the 1/2tsp per G then on my 5 gallon ATO.. Also the reason why my SPS doesn't really grow that much, a couple of my hammers are weird.. but zoas are blooming!

McArcher · Aug 31, 2017

tigastt said:
I did watch this, but I still want replies here hahaha thanks though

I use 1tsp/gallon now but started with 1/2 that.
To spread it out better, I figured the average amount of time my ato ran per day and divided by 20. I run it for 20 seconds per hour and have it off when my ph is naturally rising during peak light hours. I also use a high ph shutoff.