Kalkwasser

[Pete polyp]

If you're really dumping in 1 quart at a time then you will be having issues. Kalk needs to be added SLOWLY like a drip or a small trickle for a short period of time. Get a ball valve to restrict your topoff and it will fix it. I too have about 65 gallons in my system and my ato adds maybe 1/4 cup of solution at a time by a slow trickle.

 

[ultimatemj]

I calibrated the probe 3wks ago...
Being 10ft below in the basement, I suspect the sump reads higher than the larger volume DT would.

Just not sure if I'm too close to trouble.

Since my Alk is now on a slightly increasing trend I'm going to reduce the concentration of the kalk a bit

 

[heathd.hd]

I would just try to make your additions in smaller portions. also adding it in the evenings after the lights out will help

 

[heathd.hd]

I think your right though in the fact that your display is not spiking half as much as your sump.

 

[ultimatemj]

Right now I'm doing it via ATO and the evap is dictating the volume...that and the sensitivity of the SmartATO optical sensor.

I may need to consider changing ATO or moving the kalk out of the ATO

 

[Pete polyp]

I calibrated the probe 3wks ago...
Being 10ft below in the basement, I suspect the sump reads higher than the larger volume DT would.

Just not sure if I'm too close to trouble.

Since my Alk is now on a slightly increasing trend I'm going to reduce the concentration of the kalk a bit

Is your probe downstream from where the kalk is added? Yes the pH in the sump will be higher for a little while as the kalk is mixed throughout the system. But after an hour or so it should be completely mixed in the system and it would read correctly.

 

[heathd.hd]

Can you set the sensor to make smaller additions? So like it turns on and off more times a day in smaller portions.

 

[ultimatemj]

I like having the kalk 1chamber before the return and the probes so I can see what's going on.

 

[heathd.hd]

Another idea would be to start vinegar dosing with your kalk which will bring you ph down a bit in the kalk. This gets a bit more complicated but it's what I'm doing. Randy holmes knows way more on the subject than I do though. I just am winging it and it works. I add 1 cup vinegar in 20 gallons of ato water with 25 tbs kalk.

 

[heathd.hd]

Depends on if your tank could use the vinegar though.

 

[Pete polyp]

Another idea would be to start vinegar dosing with your kalk which will bring you ph down a bit in the kalk. This gets a bit more complicated but it's what I'm doing. Randy holmes knows way more on the subject than I do though. I just am winging it and it works. I add 1 cup vinegar in 20 gallons of ato water with 25 tbs kalk.

This will work if you premix the limewater and don't use a kalk reactor. If you're using a kalk reactor it will increase the saturation.

 

[ultimatemj]

My mix is currently 3/4cup vinegar, 6Tbl lime, 4-1/2gal RODI

The spikes only 'get my attention' when I see something above 8.6.

Most of the time I see photoperiod cycles

 

[Pete polyp]

Can you set the sensor to make smaller additions? So like it turns on and off more times a day in smaller portions.

He has an apex so I don't see why that's not completely possible. Have the apex allow it to run for short periods of time throughout the day

 

[Pete polyp]

How is your topoff set up? Does it run on an unrestricted pump? How big is the section of your sump where the sensors are located?

 

[heathd.hd]

Maybe even just get a smaller pump. I use a aqua lifter pump. I don't get a swing at all. It just runs longer. But adds super slow.

 

[Pete polyp]

You have the right idea heath

 

[ultimatemj]

I'm using SmartATO and it's not really adjustable

I'm going to have to something different this summer because I'm going to be on the road for 25days straight!

Thinking Tunze and a big trash can lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Great...but what about this afternoon's spike? LOL

Still 8.47 three hours after

8.47 is fine, but is that 8.69 the whole tank, or just a sump?

 

[ultimatemj]

Just the sump...

The kalk goes in the middle chamber (~7gal) and the ph probe is in the next chamber(~5gal) that also has the return pump.

I've got the return pump throttled back so it takes a bit to cycle through and equalize.

 

[fishmaster818]

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!

How do you have a graph if your alkalinity