Kalkwasser

fishmaster818 · Apr 26, 2015

I want to start using kalk so ive been trying ti figure out the best way for me and i think its through my top of. So can i just fill me top off with kalk water and it will dose whenever my top iff turns on

heathd.hd · Apr 26, 2015

That's my method. No issues

fishmaster818 · Apr 26, 2015

Okay so just mix in top off container

heathd.hd · Apr 27, 2015

I have a container I mix it in. But yah u can do that also.

heathd.hd · Apr 27, 2015

So right to left I have Rodi kalk and salt water. The kalk and salt containers have powerheads. I pump 20 gallons into the kalk container turn the powerhead on add kalk and some vinegar let mix for an hour than let sit over night. I than use as needed until I mix again.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 27, 2015

You need to be sure your top off system adds the water slowly enough or in small enough amounts with each triggered addition.

fishmaster818 · Apr 27, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
You need to be sure your top off system adds the water slowly enough or in small enough amounts with each triggered addition.

Its an eshopps top off so it tops off slowly

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 27, 2015

Do you know how much enters with each triggering?

Adding 1.25% of the tank (or sump) volume in saturated limewater will instantly boost the pH by more than 0.6 pH units, and that's why small additions are needed.

fishmaster818 · Apr 27, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Do you know how much enters with each triggering?

Adding 1.25% of the tank (or sump) volume in saturated limewater will instantly boost the pH by more than 0.6 pH units, and that's why small additions are needed.

I dont. I typically go through a little lest then a gallon of top off per day

fishmaster818 · Apr 27, 2015

heathd.hd said:
That's my method. No issues

How quick does your top off add kalk. Will a float valve work

heathd.hd · Apr 27, 2015

Yah mine just puts maybe a cup at a time in. Probably 1.5 gallons a day.

heathd.hd · Apr 27, 2015

It keeps my ph around 8.1 night time 8.2 during the day. No worries there. My alk stays around 8.4 - 8.6 testing weekly. It's really simple for me. I did alot of research reading everything randy has ever wrote about it. I also asked alot of questions

fishmaster818 · Apr 27, 2015

Okay because i really want to do this. To keep everything stable

heathd.hd · Apr 27, 2015

That was kinda my goal also with end result sps dominant tank. In doing research this method seems like it would have the least amount of alk swings.

fishmaster818 · Apr 27, 2015

heathd.hd said:
That was kinda my goal also with end result sps dominant tank. In doing research this method seems like it would have the least amount of alk swings.

Okay thank you.

fishmaster818 · Apr 27, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Do you know how much enters with each triggering?

Adding 1.25% of the tank (or sump) volume in saturated limewater will instantly boost the pH by more than 0.6 pH units, and that's why small additions are needed.

After watching my top off it goes pretty slow

ultimatemj · Apr 28, 2015

What is the concern here?

I ask because I am using Kalk in my ATO and am seeing "PH Spikes" in my sump...but they seem to dissipate fairly quickly.

My system volume is ~65gal (44DT, 3plumbing run to the basement, 18sump) and I think the ATO is putting 1/4 to 1/3 gal of Kalk in at a time. I go through a gal to 1-1/2g a day.

Thanks!

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Do you know how much enters with each triggering?

Adding 1.25% of the tank (or sump) volume in saturated limewater will instantly boost the pH by more than 0.6 pH units, and that's why small additions are needed.