kalkwasser mixing question

Reefen · Jul 31, 2020

I saw a post from Randy that he only cleans his Kalkwasser reservoir once a year. when I mix my kalkwasser I use a small power head for about 30 minuets, so can I just mix up all that old slug and new powder up all together?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 31, 2020

Reefen said:
I saw a post from Randy that he only cleans his Kalkwasser reservoir once a year. when I mix my kalkwasser I use a small power head for about 30 minuets, so can I just mix up all that old slug and new powder up all together?

Yes. I always did that . Some of it may usefully dissolve if it is calcium hydroxide, and the other residue (calcium carbonte, magnesium hydroxide, etc.) will just swirl around but not cause problems.

highest_tides · Jul 31, 2020

I'm new to kalkwasser..I only stir for 5 seconds. Is that not enough? My understanding was if you stir too much it would be less potent??

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 31, 2020

highest_tides said:
I'm new to kalkwasser..I only stir for 5 seconds. Is that not enough? My understanding was if you stir too much it would be less potent??

Five seconds is not likely enough to saturate the water, if that is a goal. In my case it certainly was not. I'd stir it for at least a few minutes, up to an hour or so. Keep it closed since CO2 from the air is the things that hurts it.

Reefen · Aug 1, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Yes. I always did that . Some of it may usefully dissolve if it is calcium hydroxide, and the other residue (calcium carbonte, magnesium hydroxide, etc.) will just swirl around but not cause problems.

how long should I let it settle after mixing?