Dosing Kalkwasser

[sil40sx]

Hi everyone. Planning on dosing kalkwasser and would just want to check for clarification with the process I have in mind.

So based on my understanding:

- add X amount of kalk powder in X gallon of RODI water
- mix well
- let it sit for a while until it clears up
- gently fill the ATO container with the mixed kalkwasser and make sure not to transfer the precipitated powder on the bottom

Am I all set after that? Should i still be worried about getting more precipitation in my ATO container even after letting the mixed solution sit for a day before transferring into the ATO container?

BTW, I fill up my ATO 2 gallons a week (that's the amount of my evaporation I get in one week time).

Thanks!

 

[dragon99]

That's about it. Matching the concentration of limewater to your ALK demand is the hardest part, and that's pretty easy to do by testing ALK daily for awhile.

You will likely get some precipitation in the ATO. Ideally you want you ATO pump off bottom of the container slightly so that it won't suck up that precipitate. I usually clean out my ATO container every couple weeks, but I not aware of any problem that it would cause if I didn't.

 

[kendavjac]

That's how it's done. I don't worry about percipients because I hang my pump about an inch above the bottom of my container.

Knowing nothing about our tank or your alk needs, do you plan on starting with fully saturated Kalk mixture or work up to it based on your tanks needs? I tested at first about every 2-3 until I got the right concentration based on my tanks consumption and then backed off the testing to about once a week. Now I adjust the amount of Kalk per gallon as needed.

 

[sil40sx]

That's about it. Matching the concentration of limewater to your ALK demand is the hardest part, and that's pretty easy to do by testing ALK daily for awhile.

You will likely get some precipitation in the ATO. Ideally you want you ATO pump off bottom of the container slightly so that it won't suck up that precipitate. I usually clean out my ATO container every couple weeks, but I not aware of any problem that it would cause if I didn't.

Oh I see, so it doesn't really matter how long was the mix has been made/prepared, it will precipitate either way?

BTW, what happen if the clump was accidentally pumped to the display tank? Will fish die if they eat it?

That's how it's done. I don't worry about percipients because I hang my pump about an inch above the bottom of my container.

Knowing nothing about our tank or your alk needs, do you plan on starting with fully saturated Kalk mixture or work up to it based on your tanks needs? I tested at first about every 2-3 until I got the right concentration based on my tanks consumption and then backed off the testing to about once a week. Now I adjust the amount of Kalk per gallon as needed.

Pretty much got my alk consumption,. just have to dose small in the beginning and will have to see how it goes from there.

 

[sil40sx]

BTW, is it ok to use a coffee filter when transferring the preparred alk in my ATO reservoir/container? Will it filter out the milky part too, or I still need to avoid that to get in the reservoir at all?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I wouldn't filter it. Just use it and some solids will settle.

 

[sil40sx]

Ah ok, thanks,. I'll have to be extra carefull when filling up the reservoir then.

 

[bif24701]

Ah ok, thanks,. I'll have to be extra carefull when filling up the reservoir then.

Not really, once it is filled any solids will settle to the bottom and won't pose any problems. Just set your intake about 1/2" above the bottom to avoid sucking it up and into the tank.

 

[sil40sx]

I agrree, but my initial concern why I was thinking of filtering the kalk is when refilling the reservoir and if I have accumulated solid that settled in there, it will definielty mixed up when pouring the new kalkwasser mix. - I guess I have to live with that and just turn off my ATO for a few hours. Or wash/clean the reservoir evey time I refill. LOL

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I let the solid build up an inch thick on the bottom of my reservoir.

 

[sil40sx]

I let the solid build up an inch thick on the bottom of my reservoir.

But IIRC, you have 100 gallon ATO reservoir. Hehe

Anyways, how do you refill yours without the solid build up mixing with the new water?

 

[gcrawford]

Kalk reactor is the way to go IMO..... mixes for you and pumps ATO out the top of the reactor. Unit on the right is a kalkwasser reactor. Some call it a stirrer.

 

[gcrawford]

To be clear, geo unit on the right is the Kalk reactor. I use Mrs Wages pickling lime from Wal mart. It's like $2 a bag.

 

[bif24701]

I agrree, but my initial concern why I was thinking of filtering the kalk is when refilling the reservoir and if I have accumulated solid that settled in there, it will definielty mixed up when pouring the new kalkwasser mix. - I guess I have to live with that and just turn off my ATO for a few hours. Or wash/clean the reservoir evey time I refill. LOL

For me it takes no more than an hour for my 32 gallon brute ATO/Kalk reservoir to settle out

 

[sil40sx]

For me it takes no more than an hour for my 32 gallon brute ATO/Kalk reservoir to settle out

Hmm, thats not bad at all. I just have to pour a cup of RO water in my tank to make sure my ATO wont activate right away.

To be clear, geo unit on the right is the Kalk reactor. I use Mrs Wages pickling lime from Wal mart. It's like $2 a bag.

I'll read some more about Kalk reactors tonight when I get a chance. See if convenience outweighs price and space.

 

[bif24701]

This is how I use Kalk:
Mix Klak to saturation with added vinegar in 32 Brute
I use an AquaLifter pump controlled via my APEX to dose a set amount every half hour.
No float switches, stirrers, and my pump/outlet are mounted so there is no siphon. This eliminates the common problems like a ATO switch getting stuck. This is a simple system this less components that could fail.

The amount of Kalk that is added equals that of my evaporation.

If I need to make adjustment in dKH they are minor. When demands increases I add more vinegar to increase saturation. There will be a point I am forced to also add 2 Part but I'm not there yet. I test only dKH every other to second day.

 

[sil40sx]

Sounds like a solid implementation. I wish I have an apex. Can reefkeeper do that too?

 

[cracker]

sil, I'm a little over a month dosing kalkwasser thru an ATO. Started with the 1/2 teaspoon then went to 1 teaspoon etc. So last round I was up to 1 1/2 teaspoon of Mrs Wages pickling lime per gallon. My CA & alk levels dropped just a little. This round the full 2 teaspoons should do it. this is on a 75 with a 7 gl atoI fill every 9, 10 days.
bif, interesting you're using a 32 brute? How much water are You filling Your ATO ? I ask because I'm working on a180 gl setup and wasn't sure if I could get away using kalkwasser /ATO with that much water. The ATO I have on this 180 is also a 32 brute. If I put 25 gls in there it takes weeks to run out. Do You think the vinegar helps keeping it in the water, or just concentrating the solution? Also I read about dosing vinegar to increase the amount of powder You can dissolve into the water. I understand it also acts as a bacterial booster like Vodka( which I'd rather drink) or bio pellets. Any increase in the skimmer output?
sil ,it's working for me so keep up the testing until You figure how much You need.

 

[sil40sx]

sil, I'm a little over a month dosing kalkwasser thru an ATO. Started with the 1/2 teaspoon then went to 1 teaspoon etc. So last round I was up to 1 1/2 teaspoon of Mrs Wages pickling lime per gallon. My CA & alk levels dropped just a little. This round the full 2 teaspoons should do it. this is on a 75 with a 7 gl atoI fill every 9, 10 days.
bif, interesting you're using a 32 brute? How much water are You filling Your ATO ? I ask because I'm working on a180 gl setup and wasn't sure if I could get away using kalkwasser /ATO with that much water. The ATO I have on this 180 is also a 32 brute. If I put 25 gls in there it takes weeks to run out. Do You think the vinegar helps keeping it in the water, or just concentrating the solution? Also I read about dosing vinegar to increase the amount of powder You can dissolve into the water. I understand it also acts as a bacterial booster like Vodka( which I'd rather drink) or bio pellets. Any increase in the skimmer output?
sil ,it's working for me so keep up the testing until You figure how much You need.

I'm just on the basic level, this is going to be my first time dosing Kalkwasser.

I've read that adding vinegar can help the saturation of the powder. But I didn't read deeper about it because I believe my alk consumption is minimal.

Speaking of, I have a 25g tank, my average alk consumption is 0.10 daily. So I mixed 1/4 teaspoon of Kent Kalkwasser last night into a gallon of RO/DI water, and will start from there.

I've been doing 1g water change daily since last week to increase my Alk to where I want it. Last night its 7.95, so one more WC tonight and I should be on my target and can start dosing Kalkwasser.

 

[bif24701]

Sounds like a solid implementation. I wish I have an apex. Can reefkeeper do that too?

Sure, I assume. Honestly you could do it with just a lamp timer, but you wouldn't have the safe guards. My APEX will stop Kalk dosing and alert me if my pH gets too high. I also get an alert if my pH is too low which could mean my Kalk isn't working or has run out.