Does kalkwasser alone maintain alkalinity?

TWYOUNG · May 28, 2024

Do most find it necessary to supplement kalkwasser with other alkalinity boosters, i.e. soda ash, in order to maintain their alkalinity levels? 3.5L per day is the most kalkwasser evaporation allows for in my 135g reef and I'm surprised I've also needed to add 20-30 mls soda ash daily to keep a stabile 8-8.5 level.

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 28, 2024

Depends on the tank, but it’s all I used for 20 years.

ryanjohn1 · May 28, 2024

Lime water only here too

TWYOUNG · May 28, 2024

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Depends on the tank, but it’s all I used for 20 years.

This has got me quite puzzled! 20-30 mls of AFR daily was maintaining alkalinity fine but since switching to Moonshiners and kalkwasser I've also needed soda ash. I have added a fair amt of corals recently, and they appear to be thriving so "possibly" I'm just burning through it faster but have my doubts.

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 28, 2024

TWYOUNG said:
This has got me quite puzzled! 20-30 mls of AFR daily was maintaining alkalinity fine but since switching to Moonshiners and kalkwasser I've also needed soda ash. I have added a fair amt of corals recently, and they appear to be thriving so "possibly" I'm just burning through it faster but have my doubts.

The higher pH from kalkwasser raises demand for calcium and alk.

How much kalk replaced the 30 mL of AFR? AFR is far more potent.

TWYOUNG · May 28, 2024

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
The higher pH from kalkwasser raises demand for calcium and alk.

How much kalk replaced the 30 mL of AFR? AFR is far more potent.

3.5L of kalk is what I'm dosing and replaces 100% of evaporative loss. Soda ash is making up the difference and I don't have it dialed in yet but looks to be around 30mls.