How to add trace elements to kalk
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Backreefing
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Drop it in then stir, once it settles drip it in . Can’t mix it in afterwards.
That’s easy to say with kalk but I need to figure out if adding say red seas trace elements will have any effects that are not ideal. It’s also difficult trying to figure out the ratios since the trace Elemis are dosed based off calcium ratios
Randy Holmes-Farley
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depending on which elements you really mean, that’s not a good plan. Many metals are insoluble in limewater.
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This article shows how and why many metals are insoluble:
www.advancedaquarist.com
Chemistry And The Aquarium: Metals In Limewater
This article expands on the basis of the claim that limewater may be able to deliver lower quantities of some metals compared to calcium reactors and it also provides some experimental data that demonstrates this claim.
www.advancedaquarist.com
Well the Red Sea method has you adding the trace elements to the calcium and it doses correctly. So on my sps system I use Red Sea alk in one chamber, calcium and colors in the second, mag in the third.
I have a soft coral system that I want to maintain a balance with but do not want to set up a new dosing system. I am hoping to do the drip method with kalk but really want to get trace elements involved as well
SDK
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How big is the soft coral tank?
I use Tropic Marin All for Reef with my 20g mixed reef and all is thriving. I did some initial testing to come up with a dose and just add manually twice per week. It’s a very simple solution that combines 2 part + trace elements. I switched to it after getting annoyed with dialing in kalk, and not wanting to set up multiple channel dosing on a small tank...
www.tropic-marin-smartinfo.com
I use Tropic Marin All for Reef with my 20g mixed reef and all is thriving. I did some initial testing to come up with a dose and just add manually twice per week. It’s a very simple solution that combines 2 part + trace elements. I switched to it after getting annoyed with dialing in kalk, and not wanting to set up multiple channel dosing on a small tank...
ALL-FOR-REEF - Tropic Marin®
ALL-FOR-REEF is an easy- to-use, highly concentrated solution for the supply of ALL essential minerals and trace elements in reef aquariums.
It’s about 160 gallons. I am trying to avoid any manual dosing lolHow big is the soft coral tank?
I use Tropic Marin All for Reef with my 20g mixed reef and all is thriving. I did some initial testing to come up with a dose and just add manually twice per week. It’s a very simple solution that combines 2 part + trace elements. I switched to it after getting annoyed with dialing in kalk, and not wanting to set up multiple channel dosing on a small tank...
ALL-FOR-REEF - Tropic Marin®
ALL-FOR-REEF is an easy- to-use, highly concentrated solution for the supply of ALL essential minerals and trace elements in reef aquariums.
SDK
Reef Diver
Thats a bit large for this idea lol.
I’m hoping TM comes up with a bulk buy alternative for this product. It’s so easy, and you can use it with a single channel doser. However, it’s currently pricey for larger reefs...
I’m hoping TM comes up with a bulk buy alternative for this product. It’s so easy, and you can use it with a single channel doser. However, it’s currently pricey for larger reefs...
Randy Holmes-Farley
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right. It is the pH of kalkwasser that is the issue. None of the Red Sea solutions have pH that high.
Lionfish hunter
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I am going to start dosing kalk slurry with 4 tsp per gallon of brs pharma kalk. (I know you’re not a fan of kalk slurry) If I added red sea trace elements a,b,c,d at their recommended ratio per how much calcium is in the kalkwasser solution. What would you expect to happen with the trace elements in the kalk? Their will be a pump constantly mixing the kalk. I understand many of these elements are insoluble in a high ph solution. I do not know what would happen if these insoluble elements are constantly being mixed together. Will any of them bind together creating something very undesirable? Or would it be a dream 1 part solution of calcium, alkalinity, and trace elements that also substantially boosts ph? Ha, a guy can dream right.
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Randy Holmes-Farley
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I think nothing worse than inactivating the trace elements can happen. I expect many to bind to the particulates. I do not know if they will redissolve when added to the aquarium.
Lionfish hunter
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I might try some experimenting with icp, I have 6 triton icps I just bought on sale. Definitely going to experiment to see if the kalk slurry is adding any pollutants. Probably too scared to test the trace elements in kalk slurry, with 235 gallons filled with acropora and fish.
