Kalk Stirrer worth the money?

[rhorn67]

I am thinking about purchasing a kalk stirrer. Currently I mix 1 gallon at a time in a reservoir then use a dosing pump set to a controller. The drip adds the kalk and handles evaporation. I go through two gallons a week.

My question is will the kalk that the stirrer dispenses be that much more potent than the non-stirred reservoir method? I am trying to figure out whether the expense is worth the convenience and potency of the liquid.

Thank you

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

You'll like this article.
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/a-step-back-a-step-forward-kalkwasser-dosing.49/

 

[rhorn67]

You'll like this article.
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/a-step-back-a-step-forward-kalkwasser-dosing.49/

Really good article. I guess a stirrer it is!

 

[eg8r210]

I don't think you need to spend the money buying a stirrer but I might be wrong. Once the kalk solution is mixed up it doesn't fall out of solution (as far as I know). Why not use a bucket to mix up your 2 gallons. Allow some time for the kalk that didn't mix into solution to fall to the bottom. Then siphon out only the clear liquid to your dosing container.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I don't think you need to spend the money buying a stirrer but I might be wrong. Once the kalk solution is mixed up it doesn't fall out of solution (as far as I know). Why not use a bucket to mix up your 2 gallons. Allow some time for the kalk that didn't mix into solution to fall to the bottom. Then siphon out only the clear liquid to your dosing container.

Check out the article. Yes you can do it like that and I do.

 

[rhorn67]

Check out the article. Yes you can do it like that and I do.

So I guess I'm confused. If the kalk doesn't fall out of solution once its mixed other than convenience whats the point of the stirrer?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So I guess I'm confused. If the kalk doesn't fall out of solution once its mixed other than convenience whats the point of the stirrer?

reread. It does fall out of suspension but not entirely. to make it more effective use a stirrer to increase the particles in suspension.

 

[rhorn67]

reread. It does fall out of suspension but not entirely. to make it more effective use a stirrer to increase the particles in suspension.

Understand. Thanks guys much appreciated.

 

[dgrigor02]

In my experience, it just the opposite. More like a complete waste of money.

Kalk stirrers rarely will be full potency. You can't measure accurately with pH. If you were to test with a conductivity meter you will find the resevoir method is better if your wanting to maximize saturation. If you using just to supplement for pH reasons it would be fine to do. Years ago I tested a reactor for 6 months and found it to be 50% at best without adding kalkwasser to a reactor much more frequently ( more like daily ) than most people do to keep it at full saturation. Most times your just stirring up the insoluable carbonate.

Been using the resevoir method for going on 13 years now. Simple, wait until resevoir is near empty, add your kalk, fill up with ro/di. Wait until its near empty before addming more. Its important to not mix it but once. It can last close to 2 weeks this way with very little loss.

The best read on resevoir method is http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php#5

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

In my experience, it just the opposite. More like a complete waste of money.

Kalk stirrers rarely will be full potency. You can't measure accurately with pH. If you were to test with a conductivity meter you will find the resevoir method is better if your wanting to maximize saturation. If you using just to supplement for pH reasons it would be fine to do. Years ago I tested a reactor for 6 months and found it to be 50% at best without adding kalkwasser to a reactor much more frequently ( more like daily ) than most people do to keep it at full saturation. Most times your just stirring up the insoluable carbonate.

Been using the resevoir method for going on 13 years now. Simple, wait until resevoir is near empty, add your kalk, fill up with ro/di. Wait until its near empty before addming more. Its important to not mix it but once. It can last close to 2 weeks this way with very little loss.

The best read on resevoir method is http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php#5

Thanks. So do you think that other article is malarkey? It does happen.

 

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What's the best reactor?

 

[dgrigor02]

Thanks. So do you think that other article is malarkey? It does happen.

I'm a huge believer in kalkwasser. I don't agree that it is the best method for administering kalk if your goal for kalkwasser is to be the primary method of provindg CA/Alk. Kalk reactor is perfectly fine to use as a supplement to other forms of CA/ALK ( like two part or ca reactor ) when you want an addition increase of pH.

If your wanting to maximize Ca/Alk benefit using a resevoir method along with time based ( not water level based ) along with pH controller set to turn off at > 8.6 to ensure your don't overdose.

Some will say that a Kalk reactor will save space. IMO: Its taking up space. I'd never hook a reactor straight to an ro/di system so you still would need a resevoir anyways.

I'm certain the author did not actually test the effluent output to ensure it's fully saturated. Assumptions were being made that I don't agree with.

 

[dragon99]

There are some inaccuracies with the linked article. I'd suggest reading some of Randy's (many) articles on kalk instead.

In theory, a stirrer or reactor can be more effective because it should always be dosing saturated limewater. A still reservoir will react with CO2 in the air reducing the potency. But that effect is limited by the skin that forms on the surface of the reservoir.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm a huge believer in kalkwasser. I don't agree that it is the best method for administering kalk if your goal for kalkwasser is to be the primary method of provindg CA/Alk. Kalk reactor is perfectly fine to use as a supplement to other forms of CA/ALK ( like two part or ca reactor ) when you want an addition increase of pH.

If your wanting to maximize Ca/Alk benefit using a resevoir method along with time based ( not water level based ) along with pH controller set to turn off at > 8.6 to ensure your don't overdose.

Some will say that a Kalk reactor will save space. IMO: Its taking up space. I'd never hook a reactor straight to an ro/di system so you still would need a resevoir anyways.

I'm certain the author did not actually test the effluent output to ensure it's fully saturated. Assumptions were being made that I don't agree with.

Hey thank you. That totally makes sense.
It occurs to me it might be a debatable topic especially because of the popularity of both methods. Like so many in the hobby.

It occurs to me know hearing both methods that the effiency mainly comes in we likely don't know the real uptake pereferences of the corals. And Both methods of dosing seem to report excellent results.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

There are some inaccuracies with the linked article. I'd suggest reading some of Randy's (many) articles on kalk instead.

In theory, a stirrer or reactor can be more effective because it should always be dosing saturated limewater. A still reservoir will react with CO2 in the air reducing the potency. But that effect is limited by the skin that forms on the surface of the reservoir.

Yea that did give me pause. I learned most of my chemistry from Randy. He is the most acessable chemist to the average hobbiest.

But at a certain point what is splitting hairs in chemical efficiency. What is the difference between slightly less reactive ions
And a higher calcium delivery. Esp with the unknown chemical mix your dousing into (fandom tank)that's going to react with what you mixed and no one can calculated that Effiency.
So both arguments seem valid.
I'll def read them both again.

Fwiw I had alwasy favored the kalk and vinegar. In a simple resivoi. But I found my nutrients are actually quite low. So I'm going a b.
And only because a calcium reactor and tank won't fit under my two stands. Lol.

 

[Waterjockey]

There are some inaccuracies with the linked article. I'd suggest reading some of Randy's (many) articles on kalk instead.

In theory, a stirrer or reactor can be more effective because it should always be dosing saturated limewater. A still reservoir will react with CO2 in the air reducing the potency. But that effect is limited by the skin that forms on the surface of the reservoir.

If there is surplus kalk in the storage container (kalk residue on the bottom), it appears it will continue to dissolve, negating the effects of the CO2 reaction, maintaining full or near full "potency". RHF has a separate article discussing exactly this.