Kalkwasser

[Terry DeMott]

Anyone using kalk if so how are you doing it top off or
drip .? Having trouble with low ph . thx.

 

[Heliarc19]

I used it in my ato, just remember it will change alk

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I also used it in my ato as the only source of calcium and alk for my system.

 

[kswan]

I have it on a dosing pump that runs every hour. At first I tried to use a drip system but I found it very unreliable. Constant fiddling to keep a consistent drip. The ATO route was not an option for me since I use my mixing station fresh water storage as my ATO container.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I mixed it in rodi and let it settle then put it into the Ato. 300-500 ml of the solution in 2.5 gal ato.
That was only for the ph boost.

 

[sghera64]

My ATO drips into a Neilson reactor to dose kalkwasser.

 

[Finhead]

I used it in a Avast Marine Kalk Stirrer, about as easy as it gets to run Kalk.

 

[OldMoonBoots]

I also use it in my ATO and is the only source of alk and calcium

 

[yort265]

I dose a saturated kalk solution (2tsp/gal) from its own gallon container using a BRS 1.1 ml/min dosing pump and a digital timer (also got from BRS). This is my first time trying it this way and I have to say, I like it a lot. The timer allows for 8 ON/OFF cycles so I have it setup to come on every 3 hours. The ml/min rate from the pump didn't matter much to me, even if was off a little bit. I simply adjust the amount of time that each cycle lasts if I find my alk to be slowly rising or falling.

The reason for the separate gallon container (I use these) is because I didn't want to have to worry about the ATO container or the ATO pump becoming dirty. My usage is low because the tank is fairly new so this lasts me over a week at current rates.

Hope this helps.

 

[DRoth335]

We use it in both tanks ATO.

 

[Paullawr]

I use it in an ATO with addition of this mixed in.
http://reeflowers.com/urunler/tuzlu-su/kalkwasser-calcium-reactors/MT250?lang=en

 

[Bunnee911]

ATO all the way y’all.

 

[mfinn]

I also used it in my ato as the only source of calcium and alk for my system.

Sorry for mining a older thread, but I had a specific question for you @Randy Holmes-Farley .
I read that you use a 44 gallon brute for kalkwasser/top off container.
It took me a while to find where you mentioned that you use a loose fitting lid. I'm assuming it's just the standard brute lid.
Does using that lid vs. no lid help stop the precipitation?

I've been adding kalkwasser ( the clear liquid) to 50 gallons top off container for a few years and I don't need to clean the residue out very often. Maybe once per year?
The container is a 13-14 gallon sealed animal food container.
I recently started adding kalkwasser to my 32 gallon brute top off container which has a open top. I am using approx. the same amount of Mrs. Wages per gallon as the smaller container.
I notice the residue is building up fast. I still have my rodi unit plumbed into the barrel with a float valve. I'm a little worried the residue will interfere with the float valve shutting off the flow from the rodi.
Would using the loose fitting stock lid cut down on the amount?

I found a reasonably priced 30 gallon barrel with a lever lock lid.
Would this be the best option?

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sorry for mining a older thread, but I had a specific question for you @Randy Holmes-Farley .
I read that you use a 44 gallon brute for kalkwasser/top off container.
It took me a while to find where you mentioned that you use a loose fitting lid. I'm assuming it's just the standard brute lid.
Does using that lid vs. no lid help stop the precipitation?

I've been adding kalkwasser ( the clear liquid) to 50 gallons top off container for a few years and I don't need to clean the residue out very often. Maybe once per year?
The container is a 13-14 gallon sealed animal food container.
I recently started adding kalkwasser to my 32 gallon brute top off container which has a open top. I am using approx. the same amount of Mrs. Wages per gallon as the smaller container.
I notice the residue is building up fast. I still have my rodi unit plumbed into the barrel with a float valve. I'm a little worried the residue will interfere with the float valve shutting off the flow from the rodi.
Would using the loose fitting stock lid cut down on the amount?

I found a reasonably priced 30 gallon barrel with a lever lock lid.
Would this be the best option?

Thanks

For many reasons, I'd use a lid. Does it stop precipitation? No. Does it reduce it? Likely yes. The only need for any air to enter is the tiny bit needed to replace water pumped out, so it cannot be totally sealed, but close to that is good. My lids were pretty loose, with imperfect holes cut in them to allow the tubing to get out. I certainly got buildup over the years.

 

[mfinn]

For many reasons, I'd use a lid. Does it stop precipitation? No. Does it reduce it? Likely yes. The only need for any air to enter is the tiny bit needed to replace water pumped out, so it cannot be totally sealed, but close to that is good. My lids were pretty loose, with imperfect holes cut in them to allow the tubing to get out. I certainly got buildup over the years.

Thank-you.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank-you.

You're welcome.

Happy reefing.

 

[tenurepro]

In Ato / here is how I do it

 

[locktite]

Tunze Osmolator using their calcium osmolator dispenser inside the ATO water supply container.

 

[iTread]

I started using a bubble magus doser 3 weeks ago on my 90 g. I dose 18 ml of super saturated kalk (3 tb with vinegar in 1 gal of water). Keeps my Alk at 8.3 very consistantly and Calc at 400/410. I dose 6 times a day, spread out over the whole day. My pH range is 8.00 to 8.2 per day, like clockwork. I also run a fuge with chaeto on a reverse light cycle.

 

[Cory]

About the loose fitted lid on a brute container, the top of the water forms a skin barrier of calcium carbonate and i believe that prevents or stops any further precipitation.