Kalkwasser
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Txdragonslayer
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Still works and is very effective, considered more "old school" but if it still works why change it
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tcup25
Active Member
Aside from dripping what are the not so "old school" options? [emoji6]. I've looked at kalk reactors but my understanding is that they drip into a topoff container and then Timmy tank. Correct?
Drip kalk. It works very well and "old school" or not its still around for a reason. Your tank will love you for it.
Xclusive Reef
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never used a kalkwasser before.. what is this used for? from what i read its to maintain high PH lvls? is this cal and alk combined? why people use 2 part (alk,cal) dosing when they can just use kalkwasser?
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Kalk helps maintain a stable PH and adds calcium / alkalinity. You can also purchase kalk that in addition to calcium and alkalinity contains magnesium and strontium. Many tanks that have a lot of SPS or tanks that have little evaporation may require a more direct method of adding these elements as the coral are using them faster than they can be supplied by kalk alone. Thus calcium reactors or dosing 2 part and other trace becomes necessary to maintain proper levels. Kalk can also be useful for tanks running calcium reactors that are experiencing low PH. There are other benefits as well
Xclusive Reef
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You recommend adding kalkwasser to ato for a new tank build after the cycle is done?Kalk helps maintain a stable PH and adds calcium / alkalinity. You can also purchase kalk that in addition to calcium and alkalinity contains magnesium and strontium. Many tanks that have a lot of SPS or tanks that have little evaporation may require a more direct method of adding these elements as the coral are using them faster than they can be supplied by kalk alone. Thus calcium reactors or dosing 2 part and other trace becomes necessary to maintain proper levels. Kalk can also be useful for tanks running calcium reactors that are experiencing low PH. There are other benefits as well
Yes I do!
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tcup25
Active Member
Some of the nicest tanks I've use kalkwasser with a calcium reactor. I have a 300 gallon that will be sps dominant (just frags right now). My ph already runs on the lower side and my fear is that the calcium reactor will only drop it further. I have read that dual chamber reactors help to prevent that. True?
What did you end up doing here? Pick up a reactor?
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tcup25
Active Member
I just picked up a used reactor from someone here on the forum and hooked it up today. Now just have to figure out how much my tank will need. After I get the kalk reactor dialed in and running for a bit I will then tackle the calcium reactor I have sitting around.....
You might have problems with high co2 from your ro unit. If it passes into the kalk reactor it will turn the kalk into caco3 and be unusable. Especially if you use well water.
You are going to love that reactor. With a new tank your calcium and all needs will be small. Dripping kalk a couple of days a week will probably just fine. The benefits will be fast coraline growth, suppressed phosphate and more stable ph if dosed to correspond with the tanks daily ph lows. If you have a controller consider noting the tanks daily ph swings and dosing kalk accordingly. After 16 years in the hobby I believe that stabilized ph is one of the most important factors for a healthy tank. I battle with ph constantly and kalk is an indispensable tool for me.
cracker
5000 Club Member
Good evening , I'm rather lost here trying to decide how to go forward with Ca & Alk supplementing. So I'm using kalkwasser thru the ato now. However the tank isn't evaporating enough to keep up with mostly alk demands.So i'm looking for options. so these kalk dosers separate from the ato ? I assume they have some stirring device to keep the kalkwasser solution supersaturated? Just how much more concentrated is it? I'm not sure to go with a more costly 2prt doser or try the concentrated kalk reactor? Any Op's would be appreciated.
I am having a similar problem where my Alk is dropping around 6 so I'm supplementing with 2 part and left the same dose of kalk since my ph is staying stable.I tested my cal, Alk and mag to see what they are at and I'm figuring how many milliliters I need to add each day.
CircleCityBill
Community Member
A kalk stirrer cannot produce a supersaturated solution. The solubility of kalk can be increased by adding vinegar. The following Randy Holmes Farley article is quite helpful and discusses the use of vinegar. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php
I do it this way, but will use a doser soon. Reason: ive adjusted the ato sensor too many times and dumped in 10x ish more limewater than wanted. Result= overdose and foggy water. While ive never lost anything from these mistakes i dont want to risk it.
