Kalkwasser Dosing

[angus34081]

Does anyone put Kalkwasser directly in their ATO and dose this way? Is this recommended as a way around buying a dosing pump (temporarily at least)?

 

[Webslinger]

Yep, works well no need for dosing pump...KISS

 

[angus34081]

Yep, works well no need for dosing pump...KISS

Do you need a circulation pump in the reservoir or a stirrer to keep it from settling?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I use it in my ATO.

 

[angus34081]

Yep, works well no need for dosing pump...KISS
[/QUOTE
And should I use straight Kalkwasser or one of the combination ( kal, strontium and mag)

 

[ReeferPat]

I started using an ATO and kalkwasser around two months ago. Only stir it once for 30 seconds or so and then put a lid on it. It will lose potency if you keep stirring (a kalkwasser stirrer is different than ATO. Also, make sure your pump is at least an inch off the bottom of the ATO reservoir. The bottom sludge is called a kalk slurry and is too potent. I made sure to test Alk daily to zero in on exact dosing needs. Alk has been stable at 8.9 for several weeks and PH has been stable at 8.3. Suddenly I am seeing daily growth in my sps. Everything was growing much slower before.

 

[angus34081]

I use it in my ATO.

Do I have to worry about it settling? And Just Kalkwasseror a combination kal, strontium and mag?

 

[angus34081]

I started using an ATO and kalkwasser around two months ago. Only stir it once for 30 seconds or so and then put a lid on it. It will lose potency if you keep stirring (a kalkwasser stirrer is different than ATO. Also, make sure your pump is at least an inch off the bottom of the ATO reservoir. The bottom sludge is called a kalk slurry and is too potent. I made sure to test Alk daily to zero in on exact dosing needs. Alk has been stable at 8.9 for several weeks and PH has been stable at 8.3. Suddenly I am seeing daily growth in my sps. Everything was growing much slower before.

Awesome, thanks

 

[ReeferPat]

Do you need a circulation pump in the reservoir or a stirrer to keep it from settling?

BRS TV has an excellent video on kalkwasser in ATO

 

[ReeferPat]

Do I have to worry about it settling? And Just Kalkwasseror a combination kal, strontium and mag?

I don’t know about strontium but I manually dose mag about once a week to keep the three elements - calc, Alk and mag - in balance.

 

[Pntbll687]

Do I have to worry about it settling? And Just Kalkwasseror a combination kal, strontium and mag?

You don't have to worry about it settling out.

As for the straight or with mg, strontium that is going to depend on your salt mix. Is the salt on the higher end for mag, then no need to add more with the kalk. If it's on the low end, then maybe get kalk + mag if you're not doing frequent water changes.

Just make sure you clean your ato pump every month or so. Kalk is hard on pumps and can cause premature failure if the pump isn't maintained. I clean mine once a month, nothing crazy.

 

[ReeferPat]

 

[Webslinger]

Do you need a circulation pump in the reservoir or a stirrer to keep it from settling?

no you want it to settle, make sure you don't pump out the settlement. when i refill I add kalk and re-shake the settlement.

 

[Webslinger]

You don't have to worry about it settling out.

As for the straight or with mg, strontium that is going to depend on your salt mix. Is the salt on the higher end for mag, then no need to add more with the kalk. If it's on the low end, then maybe get kalk + mag if you're not doing frequent water changes.

Just make sure you clean your ato pump every month or so. Kalk is hard on pumps and can cause premature failure if the pump isn't maintained. I clean mine once a month, nothing crazy.

I haven't touched my ato pump in years. Just need to make sure lines aren't clogged that's it

 

[Pntbll687]

I haven't touched my ato pump in years. Just need to make sure lines aren't clogged that's it

Well, for the peace of mind I'll keep cleaning mine when I clean the ato container once a month.

 

[Webslinger]

I don't even think you can clean the cheap $10 dosing pump I use. Basically throw it away when it fails in 5 years

 

[GSnake]

I elevated my pump off the bottom of my ATO 5 gallon bucket so it doesn't come into contact with settled sediment,

every few weeks I refill it with water, throw in some fresh kalk and stir it up. and then clean the bucket out every month or so. works like a charm

 

[angus34081]

Thanks everyone, as always great advice

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

All solid advice above. Do not start out with the max amount. Do 1/4-1/2 whats recommended and go up from there based on your needs.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Yes it will settle out on the bottom. You want to pump up only the clear liquid.