BRS 2 part vs kalk

[shoelaceike]

Hi, I currently dose 2 part but I wonder if using kalk will be easier?

How do I go about using kalk? I currently have my top off water in a 5 gallon bucket. Anyway I can use it here? My water volume is 200 gallons. TIA

 

[kendavjac]

First, do a search in the chemistry forum. Hundreds of posts. I prefer to add my kalk to my top off water. I use Mrs. Wages pickling lime, much cheaper then the stuff at the LFS. I started off slow, only added about 1/4 tsp per gallon of top off water then increased the amount as needed. I measured my Alk and Calc and then adjusted it with 2 part. Added 1/4 tsp per gallon of top off water. When I ran out of top off water (about 6-7 days), measured Alk/CA, adjusted with 2 part, adjusted the amount of kalk in my top off water. Did this weekly until I didn't need to add anymore 2 part. Took me about a month. There are calculators online that can help you determine how much you need, but I chose to with this approach (plus I had some 2 part I needed to use up). I now have to adjust the amount of lime water I use about every 1.5-2 months. Hope this helps
David

 

[kendavjac]

here is a calculator you can use to determine how much need.
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Both methods work well and have various pros and cons for different setups. I use limewater (kalkwasser) for my system, but a two part is also a fine way to go.

I compare the pros and cons of these two and other methods here:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/the-many-methods-for-supplementing-calcium-and-alkalinity

 

[shoelaceike]

Thanks for all the replys! If I use kalk with my top off water, do I need to keep it moving? And would I just add some kalk whenever I refill the water?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you are making a limewater reservoir, it should NOT be stirred after the initial mixing. That just drives in CO2 and depletes it, forming calcium carbonate. I dose mine from 3 x 44 gallon Brute cans plumbed together. It sits unstirred for about a month.

Some people use reactors, where they continually add fresh water to replace the water being drawn out. That systems needs to be airtight and stirred to keep dissolving calcium hydroxide into the newly added water.

 

[shoelaceike]

If you are making a limewater reservoir, it should NOT be stirred after the initial mixing. That just drives in CO2 and depletes it, forming calcium carbonate. I dose mine from 3 x 44 gallon Brute cans plumbed together. It sits unstirred for about a month.

Some people use reactors, where they continually add fresh water to replace the water being drawn out. That systems needs to be airtight and stirred to keep dissolving calcium hydroxide into the newly added water.

Thanks.....so I can just add kalk to my fresg water, stir and leave it be? Then each time I add a few gallons of FW just add more kalk?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks.....so I can just add kalk to my fresg water, stir and leave it be? Then each time I add a few gallons of FW just add more kalk?

You need to add it very slowly, like dropwise or a slow ATO or dosing pump.

I wait until mine is gone then make up a new batch.

 

[shoelaceike]

You need to add it very slowly, like dropwise or a slow ATO or dosing pump.

I wait until mine is gone then make up a new batch.

Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

This has more:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

 

[izzyishh]

@Randy Holmes-Farley for a 29g that i top off manually every day how would i use kalk? or would 2 part be easier just add it to a high flow area?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I used just limewater in my ATO for 20 years. But if you have substantial SPS it may not be enough to keep pace with demand.

For once a day dosing, the two part is the way to go. Limewater needs to be spread out to avoid a pH spike.

 

[izzyishh]

@Randy Holmes-Farley then i will use 2 part until I upgrade. also what test kit do you use for mag?