Kalkwasser mixing help

[h2pvnus]

Hi. I want to start real slow because this is first time i am using kalk and don't want anything skyrocket. I gonna use kalk with ATO 5gal white container that we all use here. My questions are:

1. Why vinegar should be added with kalk?
2. Can i put 2gal of mixed kalk solution with 3gallon of RODI? Do you think it way less concentration for slow start.
3. How much change in pH after ATO kick on/off?

 

[DFW]

Read this:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you are "going slow", there's no need to use vinegar unless and until you determine that replacing all evaporated water with fully saturated limewater is not adequate for your system. My reef aquarium has never needed that extra boost, and I dose vinegar separately for other reasons (to drive bacterial growth).


Can i put 2gal of mixed kalk solution with 3gallon of RODI? Do you think it way less concentration for slow start.

That sounds fine. Or just add 4 teaspoons of calcium hydroxide into 5 gallons of RO/DI.


How much change in pH after ATO kick on/off?
Depends on how much volume gets added each time.

Adding 1.25% of the water volume with saturated limewater will instantly boost pH by about 0.6-0.7 pH units, which is too much.

Half that is likely OK. A quarter or less is better.

Add it to a very high flow area away from organisms.