How would you implement kalkwasser secondary to AFR

[christwendt]

I have my daily dose of 75ml per day off all for reef in my 100 gallon. If I wanted to implement the usage of kalk down the road so I don’t have such a high daily amount of AFR and a ph boost, how would I supplement AFR with kalk safely ? I want the safest way possible. Just start with very low dose of kalk?

 

[SliceGolfer]

I will be doing the same as my tank matures, but my position is opposite of yours. I started with kalk dosing, and will supplement kalk dosing by adding AFR. I'm looking to use kalk to maintain alk and get the pH stabilization, and when I hit the limit of liquid volume I can dose, then I will add AFR for additional supplement.

 

[Doctorgori]

timely: Turns out I JUST started combining the two: AFR and kalk…
not a direct answer but what I did was calculate my daily evap rate and set my DOS to supply 50% of that unsaturated kalk/w vinegar
I set up arguments in apex to stop dosing according to sump level, pH and alkalinity (failsafes @ 10dKh and 8.4pH) et…..
my AFR won’t kick in until kalk dosing can’t keep up with alkalinity…. ( that’s why I set my all dosing below evap rate so I can adjust up the karl dosage as demand dictates)

I have Trident to keep monitoring things….
I’ll manually dose Ca & Mg as needed until the AFR kicks in

Following for other input/ideas….

 

[Doctorgori]

I have my daily dose of 75ml per day off all for reef in my 100 gallon. If I wanted to implement the usage of kalk down the road so I don’t have such a high daily amount of AFR and a ph boost, how would I supplement AFR with kalk safely ? I want the safest way possible. Just start with very low dose of kalk?

I re-read that… ya know you could theoretically dose kalk first like I’m doing until you have to dose AFR … especially since kalk is already a balanced solution sans trace elements

 

[SliceGolfer]

I re-read that… ya know you could theoretically dose kalk first like I’m doing until you have to dose AFR … especially since kalk is already a balanced solution sans trace elements

It's like someone said that already but seriously, I think it's a great approach. In time, there will be only so much liquid volume one can dose before exceeding evaporation.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

I have my daily dose of 75ml per day off all for reef in my 100 gallon. If I wanted to implement the usage of kalk down the road so I don’t have such a high daily amount of AFR and a ph boost, how would I supplement AFR with kalk safely ? I want the safest way possible. Just start with very low dose of kalk?

I have only used kalkwasser to smother hydroids, this has been in a syringe paste.
Why do you dose this out of interest.

 

[SliceGolfer]

I have only used kalkwasser to smother hydroids, this has been in a syringe paste.
Why do you dose this out of interest.

Have you not heard about Kalkwasser dosing and how it helps to supplement Alk/Ca and benefit to pH? Feel like we're about to be rickrolled!

 

[apb03]

I'm currently dosing 4L per day Kalk and 20ml per day AFR. I originally ran just AFR. When I implemented Kalk, I reduced my AFR down from 25ml to 5ml and then ramped up my Kalk until I maxxed out my evap rate.

Just test alk regularly and you should be ok.

 

[Midrats]

I always do kalk until it can't keep up with demand, then start with AFR.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I always do kalk until it can't keep up with demand, then start with AFR.

That sounds like a good plan to me. Folks are always pondering how to move forward once limewater/kalkwasser can no longer meet demand.

 

[christwendt]

I will be doing the same as my tank matures, but my position is opposite of yours. I started with kalk dosing, and will supplement kalk dosing by adding AFR. I'm looking to use kalk to maintain alk and get the pH stabilization, and when I hit the limit of liquid volume I can dose, then I will add AFR for additional supplement.

I wonder how much kalk I’ll actually need to get a ph boost. I feel like your way will be easier to do the switch.

 

[christwendt]

I'm currently dosing 4L per day Kalk and 20ml per day AFR. I originally ran just AFR. When I implemented Kalk, I reduced my AFR down from 25ml to 5ml and then ramped up my Kalk until I maxxed out my evap rate.

Just test alk regularly and you should be ok.

That’s that’s exactly what I had in mind. I’ll probably be testing alk 5 times the first few days. I have to do a little more research into kalk. How do you dose the kalk? I’ve read about all the methods.

 

[christwendt]

I have only used kalkwasser to smother hydroids, this has been in a syringe paste.
Why do you dose this out of interest.

It’s a source of alk and calcium. It helps boost PH as added benefit.

 

[Doctorgori]

It's like someone said that already but seriously, I think it's a great approach. In time, there will be only so much liquid volume one can dose before exceeding evaporation.

yeah I did miss that…give credit where credit. is due lol

 

[Doctorgori]

That’s that’s exactly what I had in mind. I’ll probably be testing alk 5 times the first few days. I have to do a little more research into kalk. How do you dose the kalk? I’ve read about all the methods.

Not to. but in but Randy got a few very good articles, did you check. those out?

 

[christwendt]

Not to. but in but Randy got a few very good articles, did you check. those out?

I haven’t. Which ones in particular ?

 

[Doctorgori]

I think this is OK with the R2R TOS… it’s should be required reading years 1-3 LOL …. I’m gonna guess a few here have read this stuff before…

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime

fwiw I use the vinegar mix, I don’t think Randy endorses it exactly