Kalk vs 2 part

inetjnky · Dec 20, 2015

So I'm stuck and need some advice...

My Alk has always been low as well as my calcium.

Testing a day after a 5g water change in a Biocube 29 with a total water volume between 20 and 25g shows Alk at 7.67dkh and ca at 390.

I'm considering Kalk in my ATO but I also have two brs dosing pumps and a gallon of esv part one and two.

My biggest question is if I start with the Kalk, how do all of you add it to your ATO container? My ATO container is a 5g aquarium with a cut piece of acrylic as a lid to help cut down on evaporation. I use a tunze nano for my ATO and also ave a small hydor koralia in the container to provide water movement. Would I need to remove the power head? Do you mix right in the ATO? The ATO pump also sits on the bottom of the container. Will that be a problem?

Or should I forego the Kalk and just setup the dosing pumps and just dose with the two part?

Pete polyp · Dec 20, 2015

Get a kalk stirrer and run your ato through it.

What's your stock like? What's your daily consumption?

inetjnky · Dec 20, 2015

Mostly sps...Small frogspawn, torch, hammer, Zoa, Galaxia, Monti, and candy cane. I'm honestly not sure on the daily consumption yet. I haven't gotten that far yet to test daily for a week to get my numbers down.

Downbeach · Dec 20, 2015

Although on the lower end, your numbers are within recommended levels, i.e. Ca @ 380 to 450 ppm, and Alk @ 7 - 11 dKH. I would start by making sure my SG is right, since this is where you're adding those elements to begin with, I would suggest 1.026 for a reef tank. If you're not already using some type of refractometer, or other metering device, I would put one on your wish list along with an appropriate calibration solution. You could start with 1 tsp of kalk (I preferred Mrs Wages Pickling Lime) per gallon of top off water volume, and monitor the results, going up to 2 tsp. per gallon. You could add it directly to your top off container, and allow the circulating pump to mix for a few minutes, and then shut it off. I used to mix it in a separate container, allow it to settle overnight, and then add the clear settled water to my top off container the next day. With regular WC's and using fully saturated Kalk(2 tsp/gal), I was able to keep up with my demand for quite a while. Ultimately, my demand increased to the point that I had to start adding a two part, along with the kalk to keep up.

inetjnky · Dec 20, 2015

Thanks Downbeach. Exactly what I was looking for. I'm thinking I'd prefer to mix outside my ATO and add that way. I'd prefer to not have sludge at the bottom of my ATO.

inetjnky · Dec 20, 2015

I have a Milwaukee to measure my SG. I've been keeping it at 1.025 but will increase to 1.026. Thanks!

Zoaeasy · Dec 20, 2015

You should lift the ATO pump off the bottom as there is always some sediment.
I ziptied mine through a hole in the Sump cover or place in a plastic container
Bulk Reef Supply have very good instructional video on YouTube for Kalk
Be prepared to do more frequent vinegar soaks on the ATOpump as well

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 20, 2015

Both the limewater and the two part are fine ways to go.

I mix my limewater in the ATO reservoir, but on my case that is 132 gallons from three x 44 gallon Brute cans plumbed together.

Just be sure the ATO adds the limewater very slowly.

I compare and discuss the various methods here:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/the-many-methods-for-supplementing-calcium-and-alkalinity