Kalkwasser Dosing

[dbroncos]

Thinking of dosing from my ATO but that only really runs every other day. Any issues dosing it that way or is it best to dose continuously?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I dose Kalk via a slow drip from my Versa dosing pump ... I use a 5L container. Some use a kalkstirrer. Using an ATO is fine but so inaccurate way of dosing anything

 

[slingfox]

I dose Kalk via a slow drip from my Versa dosing pump ... I use a 5L container. Some use a kalkstirrer. Using an ATO is fine but so inaccurate way of dosing anything

Tuan, how large is your system and how much Kalk do you dose a day? Are you running mixed reef or SPS dominant? I will dose Kalk eventually so want to get a sense of what to expect (my tank currently is new).

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

My system is 53g total volume. The Red Sea 200XL in my signature. I dose 450ml on a mixed reef. This amount is not enough to sustain the major 3 , so i supplement with additional 2 part

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why does an ATO only run every other day? Large pump and small evaporation?

 

[dbroncos]

Why does an ATO only run every other day? Large pump and small evaporation?

Yea Red Sea ATO is what I use but not much evaporation

 

[dbroncos]

My system is 53g total volume. The Red Sea 200XL in my signature. I dose 450ml on a mixed reef. This amount is not enough to sustain the major 3 , so i supplement with additional 2 part

450ml continuously per day?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

450ml continuously per day?

yes.... that is still not enough to keep up ALK and CA

 

[dbroncos]

yes.... that is still not enough to keep up ALK and CA

How’s your PH?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

How’s your PH?

Solid like a rock? lol

 

[bobnicaragua]

I dose kalk continuously at 2 ml a minute using a versa pump on my 135 gal. The 10 gal kalk reservoir takes care of most the evaporation. I also run a small ATO to make up the difference.

 

[dbroncos]

My system is 53g total volume. The Red Sea 200XL in my signature. I dose 450ml on a mixed reef. This amount is not enough to sustain the major 3 , so i supplement with additional 2 part

what dosing pump do you use? and how much do you dose per minute? i have the same red sea tank

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I am using the Ecotech Versa. Dosage rate is varible. Max dosage rate is 10ml per min ....so very slow.

 

[dbroncos]

I am using the Ecotech Versa. Dosage rate is varible. Max dosage rate is 10ml per min ....so very slow.

thank you!!

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I dose kalk continuously at 2 ml a minute using a versa pump on my 135 gal. The 10 gal kalk reservoir takes care of most the evaporation. I also run a small ATO to make up the difference.

That's why i love Kalk. It checks so many boxes . Coraline thrives with kalk

 

[GSnake]

I use 30g brute container and run a line from it to my dosing pumps. Using 50 ml per hour. I hardly refill ato in summer. In winter I can up the dose or refill ato biweekly.
I still have to dose alk and mg separate for balance

 

[exnisstech]

At the OP, what are your needs that you want to start kalk? Depending on tank size 2 part can be easier.
I run 2 smaller tanks on 2 part only dosed manually. My larger tank I was using 2 part but recently switched to dripping kalk. I'm dripping 5400 ml daily over 24 hours using a brs 50ml min pump on a timer and so far so good.

 

[dbroncos]

At the OP, what are your needs that you want to start kalk? Depending on tank size 2 part can be easier.
I run 2 smaller tanks on 2 part only dosed manually. My larger tank I was using 2 part but recently switched to dripping kalk. I'm dripping 5400 ml daily over 24 hours using a brs 50ml min pump on a timer and so far so good.

Honestly it’s PH and Alk

 

[Tayreef93]

My system is 53g total volume. The Red Sea 200XL in my signature. I dose 450ml on a mixed reef. This amount is not enough to sustain the major 3 , so i supplement with additional 2 part

Tuan, do you dose the 450ml over 24hrs? I would also like to know the drip rate on your versa, I don't own one myself I just dose via gravity with a needle valve to set the drip rate.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Yes, 24 hr schedule .... it drips very slowly over the course of 24hrs.