Maintaining alk/cal in large system?

[OutColdCRNA]

In the planning stages of a 8x2x2 tank. I currently dose 2 part in my 65 gallon. Looking to see if there is a more efficient method for maintaining levels in a 240. Kalk stirrer, two part? Not looking to get into a calRX at this point. Thanks for the advice!!

 

[Dmax]

Running my 450 on only K

alk dosed at night. First time I've ran a tank on only Kalk and very impressed with it so far. As I continue to add corals, I'm sure I'll eventually have to supplement the Kalk with either a CARX or dosing 2 part. I'm dosing all my evap at night based on the PH of the tank. Doing what Chris Meckley has talked about but I'm using a Kalk reactor vs a premixed solution in a reservoir.

 

[OutColdCRNA]

I’m leaning toward the Kalk reactor avenue currently. Didn’t want to overlook or wish that I had gone a different route later.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What do you mean by efficient? Cost?

 

[OutColdCRNA]

What do you mean by efficient? Cost?

I suppose my thinking is cost and sheer volume of additive doses per day.

 

[Dmax]

Kalk is cheap and very easy to do. Just can be a little messy at times. Seems like every time I top off my reactor I spill some Kalk powder. Wet paper towel and wipe everything down and good to go. Bought a 5 gallon bucket of Kalk about 2 years ago from BRS. Still have plenty left and tanks going strong.

Reactor or stirrer, Dosing pump, & Kalk
Reservoir to mix Kalk in, Dosing pump, & Kalk

And whatever method you choose to control the dose. I'd steer clear of having it feed from you ATO. Have had serious issues in the past from overdosing because of this.

I don't see myself not dosing Kalk for any reason. Cheap, PH boost, Easy!

 

[cilyjr]

Mrs wages pickling lime ftw.
The original kalkwasser.

DO NOT get pickling spice. It's not the same.

 

[cilyjr]

I've been using kalkwasser with a calcium reactor for about 18 years.
The two in tandem will tend to help balance the pH reduction and pH rising effect from each.

Recently I have taken my calcium reactor off as a bit of an experiment on pH.

 

[rtparty]

Saturated kalkwasser and BRS/TM balling hybrid method

3 liters of kalk per day and roughly 200-225ml of the 3 part balling system to keep up with demand. Cheap to run and rock solid

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Kalk is cheap and very easy to do. Just can be a little messy at times. Seems like every time I top off my reactor I spill some Kalk powder. Wet paper towel and wipe everything down and good to go. Bought a 5 gallon bucket of Kalk about 2 years ago from BRS. Still have plenty left and tanks going strong.

Reactor or stirrer, Dosing pump, & Kalk
Reservoir to mix Kalk in, Dosing pump, & Kalk

And whatever method you choose to control the dose. I'd steer clear of having it feed from you ATO. Have had serious issues in the past from overdosing because of this.

I don't see myself not dosing Kalk for any reason. Cheap, PH boost, Easy!

I know I’ll run the reactor independent from my ATO just for the potential to overdose from the ATO.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I suppose my thinking is cost and sheer volume of additive doses per day.

Shear volume, kalkwasser is the worst, but can be very low cost.

DIY two part with Balling Part C or AF mineral salt would be low volume and pretty low cost.

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Shear volume, kalkwasser is the worst, but can be very low cost.

DIY two part with Balling Part C or AF mineral salt would be low volume and pretty low cost.

I think with running the kalk reactor and supplementing with 2 part I should be able to keep up. Tank will not be wall to wall coral. At least for years to come.

 

[twentyleagues]

My previous system I ran a calcium reactor and a kalk stirrer of sorts.