Plan for alk consumption

[KJoFan]

So, in my 66g tank I have within the past month stocked it with a bunch of sps frags. I would say I have around 40+ frags as well as a few larger colonies. I've been watching alk which started out 11+ due to using IO salt to get the tank started.

I've since switched to the salt I plan to use long term, Fritz. I also plan to aim for a steady alk at 7.5-8 (undecided what I want my target to be exactly).

So since stocking the tank alk has stayed around 10.5 dKH. Recent results:

7/31 - 10.3 dKH
8/3 - 10.5 dKH (assuming the discrepency was just testing error)
8/7 - 9.2 dKH (tested it twice and came up same both times)

Frags are doing great and I'm seeing some encrusting on a few pieces, so it's possible things are settling in and alk is starting to get used.

My plan is to add kalk to the top off and supplment alk that way. This is where I'm not sure what to do.

1. I'm not sure how much kalk to add, I'm thinking of just starting with 1/2 tsp per gallon. Ok?
2. Also planning to just let the kalk solution be my only top off. Am I asking for trouble doing this?

My top off container is only 4 gallons and gets re-filled about every 7 days.

I should probably just get a doser and supplement 2-part that way, but I don't have a doser yet and I think my tank could benefit from the kalk as with house windows closed pH sits around 7.7, so this will boost it a bit.

Ok, hit me with your critiques and ideas.

 

[Kadee]

Great idea! I use kalk in my ato and it works great for maintaining alk and ph. I use the saturated rate of 2 tsps per gal of ro. It is easy to start with a 1/2 tsp per and raise if necessary.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I top off with straight kalk and have not had to dose since I started. I've found my magic number to maintain stability at this point is 1tsp per gallon. I started with the 1 tsp and tested regularly for a while and have had perfect stability. Luckily I started with my magic number so there was no need to raise or lower. I had one batch I overmixed and had a slow spike(from 8.6-9.3), but have since mixed a new batch and am good to go. I wanted to prevent the error again so I just went to a 20gal brute can for my ato. Lol. I use the brightwells kalk+ which also maintains Calcium. It advertises it maintains mag as well and have heard from others that it won't, but in my case I have not had to dose for that either. I'm consistently at 8.6dKh, 470-480calc, 1470-1500mag. With nutrients at 5No3 (dosing potassium nitrate to maintain as needed), salifert kit won't give me an accurate PO4 so I plan to pickup an ultra low Hanna test (salifert always says 0.0)
80 gallon display, 20long sump Mixed Reef, lots of happy sps!

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

 

[Orcus Varuna]

So, in my 66g tank I have within the past month stocked it with a bunch of sps frags. I would say I have around 40+ frags as well as a few larger colonies. I've been watching alk which started out 11+ due to using IO salt to get the tank started.

I've since switched to the salt I plan to use long term, Fritz. I also plan to aim for a steady alk at 7.5-8 (undecided what I want my target to be exactly).

So since stocking the tank alk has stayed around 10.5 dKH. Recent results:

7/31 - 10.3 dKH
8/3 - 10.5 dKH (assuming the discrepency was just testing error)
8/7 - 9.2 dKH (tested it twice and came up same both times)

Frags are doing great and I'm seeing some encrusting on a few pieces, so it's possible things are settling in and alk is starting to get used.

My plan is to add kalk to the top off and supplment alk that way. This is where I'm not sure what to do.

1. I'm not sure how much kalk to add, I'm thinking of just starting with 1/2 tsp per gallon. Ok?
2. Also planning to just let the kalk solution be my only top off. Am I asking for trouble doing this?

My top off container is only 4 gallons and gets re-filled about every 7 days.

I should probably just get a doser and supplement 2-part that way, but I don't have a doser yet and I think my tank could benefit from the kalk as with house windows closed pH sits around 7.7, so this will boost it a bit.

Ok, hit me with your critiques and ideas.

Good place to start. But I am not as big of a fan of kalk in the ato as some others. One nice ato pump disaster and your all good on dosing it that way lol. I have also slow dripped and dosed saturated kalk solutions via a dosing pump which I liked better. I have now been dosing brs 2-part with a Jebao DP4 for about 3 months and couldn't be happier. IME I find two part to be easier to work with. You don't have to worry about crusting, super saturation, air exposure concerns, etc. Just mix, connect container to doser and repeat in a few months. As such I will never go back to dosing kalk in any form.

Also I find the pH raising effect of both kalk and 2 part to last only and hour at most. I live in Florida with the AC on 300+ days a year and struggle with pH as well. I added a CO2 scrubber in April and it holds my pH above 8 quite well. Happy Reefing!

 

[KJoFan]

Good place to start. But I am not as big of a fan of kalk in the ato as some others. One nice ato pump disaster and your all good on dosing it that way lol. I have also slow dripped and dosed saturated kalk solutions via a dosing pump which I liked better. I have now been dosing brs 2-part with a Jebao DP4 for about 3 months and couldn't be happier. IME I find two part to be easier to work with. You don't have to worry about crusting, super saturation, air exposure concerns, etc. Just mix, connect container to doser and repeat in a few months. As such I will never go back to dosing kalk in any form.

Also I find the pH raising effect of both kalk and 2 part to last only and hour at most. I live in Florida with the AC on 300+ days a year and struggle with pH as well. I added a CO2 scrubber in April and it holds my pH above 8 quite well. Happy Reefing!

I think probably I won't rely on kalk for all alk/cal consumption down the road, but initially I think it will meet demands. As the tank matures and fills out (maybe before) I'll likely switch to 2-part and a doser. Many people seem to sing the praises of kalk, so I thought I'd give it a shot initially. I have used it in the past but not on a high demand tank.

As for pH..I don't expect a great boost from the kalk, but likely will see a little. I haven't seen ill effects from the lower pH as it is, I figure if it stays relatively stable, no harm, no foul in that regard.

I have considered the idea of not using the kalk in the ato for the very reason you led with, but I'm also too lazy to set up something else. Hopefully, not famous last words!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Good place to start. But I am not as big of a fan of kalk in the ato as some others. One nice ato pump disaster and your all good on dosing it that way lol. I have also slow dripped and dosed saturated kalk solutions via a dosing pump which I liked better. I have now been dosing brs 2-part with a Jebao DP4 for about 3 months and couldn't be happier. IME I find two part to be easier to work with. You don't have to worry about crusting, super saturation, air exposure concerns, etc. Just mix, connect container to doser and repeat in a few months. As such I will never go back to dosing kalk in any form.

Also I find the pH raising effect of both kalk and 2 part to last only and hour at most. I live in Florida with the AC on 300+ days a year and struggle with pH as well. I added a CO2 scrubber in April and it holds my pH above 8 quite well. Happy Reefing!

An ATO adding limewater 24/7 will spread out the boost all day, and tanks using limewater do run at substantially higher pH than others, especially if they dose a large amount.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I think probably I won't rely on kalk for all alk/cal consumption down the road, but initially I think it will meet demands. As the tank matures and fills out (maybe before) I'll likely switch to 2-part and a doser. Many people seem to sing the praises of kalk, so I thought I'd give it a shot initially. I have used it in the past but not on a high demand tank.

As for pH..I don't expect a great boost from the kalk, but likely will see a little. I haven't seen ill effects from the lower pH as it is, I figure if it stays relatively stable, no harm, no foul in that regard.

I have considered the idea of not using the kalk in the ato for the very reason you led with, but I'm also too lazy to set up something else. Hopefully, not famous last words!

The best way to figure a dose is by trial and error based on the tank alkalinity

Since you are still above your alk target level, start with a very low amount. Maybe 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of fresh water.

 

[Kadee]

I think probably I won't rely on kalk for all alk/cal consumption down the road, but initially I think it will meet demands. As the tank matures and fills out (maybe before) I'll likely switch to 2-part and a doser. Many people seem to sing the praises of kalk, so I thought I'd give it a shot initially. I have used it in the past but not on a high demand tank.

As for pH..I don't expect a great boost from the kalk, but likely will see a little. I haven't seen ill effects from the lower pH as it is, I figure if it stays relatively stable, no harm, no foul in that regard.

I have considered the idea of not using the kalk in the ato for the very reason you led with, but I'm also too lazy to set up something else. Hopefully, not famous last words!

I am using the Ice Cap ato which provides separate low and high level switches to mitigate a low level switch failure.

 

[KJoFan]

The best way to figure a dose is by trial and error based on the tank alkalinity

Since you are still above your alk target level, start with a very low amount. Maybe 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of fresh water.

I was thinking I'd wait until I got down to my target level to start kalk, but should I start adding a bit now, like you suggest above? My ATO seems to be very precise. It's an optic sensor paired with my Profilux 4. It seems to run often in small amounts to maintain the proper level.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I was thinking I'd wait until I got down to my target level to start kalk, but should I start adding a bit now, like you suggest above? My ATO seems to be very precise. It's an optic sensor paired with my Profilux 4. It seems to run often in small amounts to maintain the proper level.

Waiting is a fine plan too.

 

[KJoFan]

I am using the Ice Cap ato which provides separate low and high level switches to mitigate a low level switch failure.

As stated I am using an optic sensor as my main/low level sensor, and a float switch as my high level switch. The float is set at most 2" above the optic sensor, most likely less as I'm not currently looking at it to know for sure.

 

[KJoFan]

Waiting is a fine plan too.

If it's really starting to use .3 dKH per day it won't take long to hit target.

 

[Kadee]

As stated I am using an optic sensor as my main/low level sensor, and a float switch as my high level switch. The float is set at most 2" above the optic sensor, most likely less as I'm not currently looking at it to know for sure.

Yeah, you may want to insure that it is way less than 2" because 2" inches of kalk water makeup may be very upsetting to your tank inhabitants?

 

[KJoFan]

Yeah, you may want to insure that it is way less than 2" because 2" inches of kalk water makeup may be very upsetting to your tank inhabitants?

Yeah, I will check it out when I get home tonight and can always adjust it down if I think it needs it. Although, a rise in that one compartment probably wouldn't amount to much, but I don't want it to get too carried away in the even the optic sensor fails.

 

[Kadee]

Yeah, I will check it out when I get home tonight and can always adjust it down if I think it needs it. Although, a rise in that one compartment probably wouldn't amount to much, but I don't want it to get too carried away in the even the optic sensor fails.

Ahhh! I see. Wasn't thinking about it being in a sump compartment! Duh! [emoji106]

 

[Orcus Varuna]

An ATO adding limewater 24/7 will spread out the boost all day, and tanks using limewater do run at substantially higher pH than others, especially if they dose a large amount.

Fact and thank you for the clarification. I just reread my post and clarity was not its strong point haha.

 

[Orcus Varuna]

I was thinking I'd wait until I got down to my target level to start kalk, but should I start adding a bit now, like you suggest above? My ATO seems to be very precise. It's an optic sensor paired with my Profilux 4. It seems to run often in small amounts to maintain the proper level.

I would never dose until testing indicated a need to do so. A 1dKH drop over 4 days is not large at all and for the time being you would be fine maintaining off of weekly water changes even after you switch to fritz (for reference my current system gobbles up over 2dKH per day). Once your alk stabilizes after the switch to the new salt I would wait to dose until alk fell into the 6.5-6.8 range when measured between my weekly water changes. Once this happens you can start with a very low dose of kalk and work your way up. I always shoot for a dKH between 6.8-7.8 as that always seems to be my systems anecdotal happy place. Happy reefing!

 

[KJoFan]

I would never dose until testing indicated a need to do so. A 1dKH drop over 4 days is not large at all and for the time being you would be fine maintaining off of weekly water changes even after you switch to fritz (for reference my current system gobbles up over 2dKH per day). Once your alk stabilizes after the switch to the new salt I would wait to dose until alk fell into the 6.5-6.8 range when measured between my weekly water changes. Once this happens you can start with a very low dose of kalk and work your way up. I always shoot for a dKH between 6.8-7.8 as that always seems to be my systems anecdotal happy place. Happy reefing!

Thanks for the input. I've been using Fritz for awhile now, so that shouldn't be a factor as far as stabilization. The tank is getting weekly water changes with Fritz. But, sounds like I'm on the right track, I'll let alk continue to fall until it hits where I want it and go from there.

I know 1 dKH isn't much over 4 days, but it's the first drop I've seen since stocking with sps, so it's exciting to see progress in that fashion.