Dose and kalk

[HeadStrongGrafx]

I have been using a Kalk reactor for some time now and lately it's having a hard time keeping up. I'm considering dosing. If I do, can I still use my Kalk or do away with it completely and just dose?

 

[CodyRVA]

Should be able to do away with it completely if you're dosing ALK and CA directly. You can still use Kalk to sustain a higher PH if you have low PH issues, but there are a variety of other methods to handle this issue if the issue arises.

 

[Downbeach]

My progression was to add the two part while maintaining my kalk dose. So, ultimately I was dosing 125mL ea. of the Ca and Alk using Randy's recipe #1, along with two gallons of fully saturated kalk.

 

[mrtian97]

I am goung the same direction, use kalk with my ATO, and eventually will dose 2 parts. I am still at 60% with the kalk, I plan to raise it to saturated

 

[HeadStrongGrafx]

Thanks guys

 

[Pete polyp]

Have you tried increasing the kalk saturation with vinegar?

 

[HeadStrongGrafx]

Have you tried increasing the kalk saturation with vinegar?

No I did just started dosing vodka. I get a lil worried dosing all sorts of stuff. What effect does vinegar have?

 

[Pete polyp]

No I did just started dosing vodka. I get a lil worried dosing all sorts of stuff. What effect does vinegar have?

I will let @Randy Holmes-Farley answer this one as he can be more specific. Randy's article "What Your Grandmother Never
Told You About Lime" explains how to use the vinegar added to the kalk and what it does. With you dosing vodka already I think he would be much more helpful than I could be.

 

[CodyRVA]

+1 @Pete polyp , i'm curious if theres a cutoff? I'm assuming incorporating vinegar with KALK to a heavy SPS tank isn't going to have enough punch to keep up? If this is a viable solution, why do we even have 2 part?

 

[Pete polyp]

+1 @Pete polyp , i'm curious if theres a cutoff? I'm assuming incorporating vinegar with KALK to a heavy SPS tank isn't going to have enough punch to keep up? If this is a viable solution, why do we even have 2 part?

I'm not the expert on this subject but I would imagine there would become a point where the pH would be incredibly high. Two part is just another method of dosing that can be done easier than adding kalk, and with more control in my opinion.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It can be fine to keep dosing as much limewater as you want, and then begin to supplement with two part as needed. Some folks do that to help keep up pH.

Or you can switch entirely to the two part, which also works fine, but will result in a lower tank pH.