Kalk users advice please.

TDTA1181 · Oct 9, 2015

Wanting to dose Kalk via ATO and give it a try I've turned Tunze ATO down to nano setting so maybe it won't fill as fast and fixing to hook pH controller in the next hour or so I've used 3tsp/5 gal of water last nt. & it in conjunction w/ Cal Rx have maintained Alk b/w 7.95 - 8.12 today. Any suggestions or help on your mixture would be helpful. Not going to get rid of Cal Rx, just take it offline for a couple of months to see if Kalk is a little easier for the livestock I have @ the moment, the tank is mostly small acro frags and larger LPS @ the moment. Just don't think I have the consumption rt now to warrant using the reactor. Keep cranking drip rate down & pump keeps cavitating, maybe I'll try a different media next time also this Tropic Marine media I don't care for to much. Watched the video on BRS & it seems easy watching it but wanted more feedback from users if possible.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 10, 2015

I've used only limewater (kalkwasser) on my aquarium for the past 20 years. IMO,, your plan seems like a fine one.

I've never used a pH controller, but if I did, I'd set it somewhat above whatever pH your normally peak at during the day once using the limewater. Maybe 8.5, 8.6, something like that.

It is fairly easy to adjust the amount of calcium hydroxide int he limewater based on the alkalinity on the tank (not the calcium) as alk is much more responsive to over or under dosing.

TDTA1181 · Oct 12, 2015

Started with 3tsp/5 gal. Ive made way up to 8 tsp/5gal by mixing 1 gal batches @ a stronger strength. Is that ok??? A'f that runs its course I want to make a new 5 gal batch. So far so good pH in tank has risen @ night and not getting below 7.8 but id feel safer @ 7.9 at night if I could get there. turned ATO to nano setting hoping that wouldn't spike the tanks pH.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 12, 2015

TDTA1181 said:
Started with 3tsp/5 gal. Ive made way up to 8 tsp/5gal by mixing 1 gal batches @ a stronger strength. Is that ok??? .

Not sure what that means. You cannot dissolve much more than 2 level teaspoons per gallon. 8/5 is OK, but I don't know what you mean by a "stronger strength".

How is the alkalinity?

TDTA1181 · Oct 12, 2015

I mixed 1 gal water w/ 5tsp let it sit over night and poured it in remainder of bucket, that had the 3tsp mix already in it (it had a/b 4-4.5 gal of water in it when I topped it off). Alk has been @ 8.176 per hanna checker for past 3 days!!! lol I do still have Cal reactor running though got the high limit set on it to add co2 when the pH in reactor gets over 6.75. What do you think?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 12, 2015

As long as you poured the solids and not just the clear liquid when you "poured it in remainder of bucket", the procedure sounds fine.

THe alkalinity part also seems fine.

TDTA1181 · Oct 12, 2015

It looks like I got everything out of the 1 gal jug. I was so chicken to use the kalk @ 1st, BRS kalk container stayed in the closet for a/b a month lol, but the pH was dipping under 7.7 @ night that I had to do something. They say don't chase pH but I could visually see that it was hurting acro's everything else seemed ok to the naked eye, to me. When I make next 5 gal batch should I not stir it? I read some posts a/b too much agitation introducing co2 into mix. 5 gallons usually can get me 4-5 days w/out refilling.
Thanks, Randy I appreciate your help.