Kalkwasser

[KStatefan]

The way I am looking at it, is it can have a steady dose of 20ml every 3 hours day and night (at the moment) and what ever the ATO puts in too

but why not dose to you evaporation rate when you want to. Then you know what was put in and when.

 

[Hammy1]

but why not dose to you evaporation rate when you want to. Then you know what was put in and when.

Yes good point. But I would be worried about over flowing my tank, if I judge it wrong or the evaporation drops

 

[Hammy1]

You can add vinegar to dissolve more kalkwasser into solution.

You can also keep the kalkwasser constantly mixing in a container (with a powerhead) and add as much kalk as you want, you then dose this as a "slurry" solution.

I dose 1.3ml a minute of 2x concentrated kalkwasser (4tsp per gallon) from 8pm to 8am. You can tell the difference in the ph graph when the dosing happens, ph falls much slower than without.

This sounds like a good option for me, because I don't get much evaporation. What kind of vinegar (white distilled?) and how much in 5 litres?

 

[Pntbll687]

I would

This sounds like a good option for me, because I don't get much evaporation. What kind of vinegar (white distilled?) and how much in 5 litres?

I would first figure out how much alk you're consuming on a daily basis. But yes, white distilled vinegar is fine. about 20ml of vinegar per tsp of kalk I believe is what I used.

But adding the vinegar will also be adding a carbon source for bacteria, which can cause bacterial blooms, especially in smaller tanks.

Adding more kalk just for a slight ph boost isn't worth it, especially if your alkalinity will keep climbing up and up.

I can't stress enough, dial in you're alkalinity and consumption of saturated kalkwasser first, then you can start adding things like vinegar or other options to up the potency of kalk.

PH is not the end all of reefing. Yes, corals may grow faster at 8.3-8.4, but don't sacrifice the basics of calcium/alkalinity/magnesium to get to that 8.4 mark.

 

[Hammy1]

I would

I would first figure out how much alk you're consuming on a daily basis. But yes, white distilled vinegar is fine. about 20ml of vinegar per tsp of kalk I believe is what I used.

But adding the vinegar will also be adding a carbon source for bacteria, which can cause bacterial blooms, especially in smaller tanks.

Adding more kalk just for a slight ph boost isn't worth it, especially if your alkalinity will keep climbing up and up.

I can't stress enough, dial in you're alkalinity and consumption of saturated kalkwasser first, then you can start adding things like vinegar or other options to up the potency of kalk.

PH is not the end all of reefing. Yes, corals may grow faster at 8.3-8.4, but don't sacrifice the basics of calcium/alkalinity/magnesium to get to that 8.4 mark.

I understand

 

[Hammy1]

Just an update, been dosing the kalkwasser @ 20ml 16 times a day = 320ml. And in the ATO. Ph has risen from 7.7 to 8.03 going to leave it as is for a week, then see what it is. Eventually looking for 8.2 to 8.3

 

[Garf]

Just an update, been dosing the kalkwasser @ 20ml 16 times a day = 320ml. And in the ATO. Ph has risen from 7.7 to 8.03 going to leave it as is for a week, then see what it is. Eventually looking for 8.2 to 8.3

You are monitoring alkalinity, I assume?

 

[Hammy1]

You are monitoring alkalinity, I assume?

Yes dKH 8.6 calcium 470 ppm mag 1335 ppm. Doing 3 litres wc a week with Instant Ocean salt. Will use All for Reef if I need to. (12 softys and 2 lps frags)