Kalkwasser Question...

[goathead]

Hello and thanks for reading this. Any thoughts would be appreciated. So, my question is this: If I mix up a gallon of Kalkwasser, siphon out the middle layer of fluid into a clean container and discard the remaining sediment, how long will this keep for before it goes bad on me? I NEVER use an entire gallon at one dosing and I only have to dose one time every 2 or 3 weeks. I hate dumping it out and mixing a new batch every time I need it. What do you folks think? Will the good layer of fluid remain useable for an extended period of time??

 

[TwistedTiger]

Short answer is yes you can keep it 2-3 weeks, I would just put a lid on it. For a long technical answer read this article or just skip to the conclusion.
The Degradation of Limewater in Air by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[goathead]

Thanks for the response. I hate wasting stuff like this.

 

[ruppertb]

Not sure if you thought of this but what if you just mixed up like a quart or so

 

[backpack]

Why don't you just shake it up again?

 

[goathead]

It's just easier for me to do it a gal at a time. I could do smaller but if I can keep it for a week or two when I needed it again, that's what I would like to do. The article above was very informative and helpful for my situation.

 

[ReeferEric]

You don't have to discard the old leftover stuff. Add more kalk and RO/DI to it and mix it when your ready, I assume your using full strength.

 

[goathead]

Yes. I don't like my method of dosing this stuff (water jug, airline hose, and a air regulator valve) so when I need to do it, I run it rich because it never fails... once a pint or two drips in and I have fallen fast asleep, the transfer rate drops to ZERO. I can't seem to be able to get it to drip until I want it to stop.