Kalk dosing question

Spcoley1 · Nov 30, 2016

Good morning. I recently started dosing Kalkwasser, I'm not using a stirrer, but an old pretzel jug. I drilled 2 holes in the lid, set a feed tube about an inch from the bottom. Started off dosing 100ML at night (I have a 180 gallon mixed reef). My question is, is a stirrer necessary? I'm seeing some videos with a stirrer, some without.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 30, 2016

I prefer to dose unstirred limewater. But 100 mL will do nearly nothing for your system.

You'd need 1.5 gallons a day to add 1 dKh of alkalinity.

Spcoley1 · Nov 30, 2016

Spcoley1 · Nov 30, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I prefer to dose unstirred limewater. But 100 mL will do nearly nothing for your system.

You'd need 1.5 gallons a day to add 1 dKh of alkalinity.

How would you suggest I add this much per day? I have an Apex control to utilize.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 30, 2016

Spcoley1 said:
How would you suggest I add this much per day? I have an Apex control to utilize.

Most people use either an ATO or a dosing pump or a dripper.

Spcoley1 · Nov 30, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Most people use either an ATO or a dosing pump or a dripper.

OK, i'm looking into a bigger dosing pump to achieve the gpm needed. Thanks

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 30, 2016

I use a Reef Filler, but it is noisy.

Mpierce · Nov 30, 2016

You can adjust your kalk dose by how much you mix into fresh water. 2 tsp is full saturation. So depending on how many calcifying corals you have, adjust your needs. So I evaporate about a half gallon a day from my tank. I use about 1.5 tsp per gallon in my ato and it keeps my levels stable. So I'd start with 1tsp per gallon (less if you don't have many corals) and test your ca and alk after a week and see if they are going up or down. If you can't maintain levels with full saturation kalk then you will have to move to 2 part or calcium reactor, etc.

Mpierce · Nov 30, 2016

Bulk reef supply has a good video on kalkwasser use.

bif24701 · Nov 30, 2016

I use the BRS 50ml/min ATO pump. It works great for Kalk. I use about 2-3 gallons each day. I also add vinegar to my Kalk container to increase effectiveness.