Kalk left over

[Zenpandadiver]

Hi guys:
Does anyone have a use for the mush left over from the kalk mix. A lot of people say that you can re-use the left over and just keep on adding on top while others say don't ever use it just throw away and mix a new batch. I normally throw it away at the end of the week because I only mix 5gal at a time per week. But can it be used as fertilizer or something?? I know the ph is extreme. So what to do with this caustic mat'l?? Should I keep on dumping it or is there another use. :crazy:

 

[-Logzor]

I question this as well. The principal of a kalk reactor is that it stirs up the kalk slurring to be re-introduced into the water, producting saturated lime water. So why would a top-off be any different?

Don't quote me on this, but I recall Randy recommending to not re-use the slurry due to potential impurities, but this recommendation is contradictory to how a kalk reactor works.

I have the same issue, lots of kalk in the bottom of the reservoir, I could easily stir it up and re-use.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you have acid soil, it might be used for raising the pH.

Othwerwise, this mix of calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and a few other things is mostly waste as far as I know.

I rarely clean mine out, but when i do it has gone down the drain or in the trash.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I question this as well. The principal of a kalk reactor is that it stirs up the kalk slurring to be re-introduced into the water, producting saturated lime water. So why would a top-off be any different?

Don't quote me on this, but I recall Randy recommending to not re-use the slurry due to potential impurities, but this recommendation is contradictory to how a kalk reactor works.

I have the same issue, lots of kalk in the bottom of the reservoir, I could easily stir it up and re-use.

I do stir mine up and reuse it every time I make it, then if the conductivity doesn't get high enough (max is about 10 mS/cm, I aim for 8-10 mS/cm), meaning there wasn't enough to get the potency I want, then I add more calcium hydroxide.

 

[bklynreef123]

Randy pardon my ignorance but how do you measure conductivity?

 

[-Logzor]

Pinpoint meter is what I use. Also measures salinity.

 

[bklynreef123]

Thanks for the reply. Is that the lowest tech way?

 

[-Logzor]

Not sure, I forget how much this meter costs, but I find it to be more accurate than any other method of measuring salinity. It has the added benefit of determining if my limewater is saturated.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the reply. Is that the lowest tech way?

I'd personally say that conductivity is the highest tech way to measure salinity, and is the way oceanographers do it.

The lowest tech way is hydrometer, followed by a refractometer.

You want low tech?

 

[bklynreef123]

I am just curious if there is a way for me to measure the saturation of the kalkwasser without buying another electronic monitor. I don't own a pinpoint monitor or the salinity probe for my apex. I like being efficient, but given how cheap Kalk is I can't justify spending $119 on a monitor for this alone. I have a hydrometer as well as a refractometer. Can I use these?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Nope, neither of those will be very useful for limewater potency. pH can be used, but it is pretty crude.

 

[bklynreef123]

Thanks Randy. I have a PH probe for my apex but I think it would be best to leave that in the sump and not worry about calibration issues. Especially since you say that using pH can be pretty crude. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. It's awesome to be able to speak directly to someone with so much knowledge and experience in this hobby.

 

[Skydvr]

Do you think this slurry would have a negative effect on a septic system? What about a compost pile?

It would be something like a half inch thick cake at the bottom of a 1 gallon vinegar jug every couple of months. I'd imagine a thin dusting every couple of weeks would have minimal effect.