Questions about using kalkwasser

[Tayreef93]

I have a 20 gallon tank and I haven’t added any corals yet, however im trying to grow some coralline and heard that kalk work s well because it increases the ph. My ph is hangyat 7.8 with my dkh at 9.4 calcium at 546. Its high because i was using coral pro, im switching to blue bucket now. My main question is if i can just dose the daily dose all at once when the lights come off or would that not work out for me. Ive heard that people usually use a dosing pump, but i was wondering if i could just mix up enough for a day and dose it all at once? Any advice is very welcome!

 

[Roli's Reef Ranch]

Kalk doses calcium and alkalinity. It sounds like you don't have anything in the tank consuming calcium and alkalinity, so you'll just see your levels rise and rise. This will create a situation where corals won't be able to survive. Try opening a window to see if your ph increases.

 

[Tayreef93]

Kalk doses calcium and alkalinity. It sounds like you don't have anything in the tank consuming calcium and alkalinity, so you'll just see your levels rise and rise. This will create a situation where corals won't be able to survive. Try opening a window to see if your ph increases.

Cant really open a window its too cold right now.

 

[nereefpat]

Right. Kalk raises alk and Ca, and your levels are high already.

I would quit testing pH.

 

[Tidal Gardens Verified Sponsor]

It looks like your levels are just fine for not having any coral in there. Once you see them start to come down due to consumption you could then think about dosing Kalk. You CANNOT dose it all at once. It would be best to set it up on a doser over a 24 hour period.

 

[Dav2996]

I have a 20 gallon tank and I haven’t added any corals yet, however im trying to grow some coralline and heard that kalk work s well because it increases the ph. My ph is hangyat 7.8 with my dkh at 9.4 calcium at 546. Its high because i was using coral pro, im switching to blue bucket now. My main question is if i can just dose the daily dose all at once when the lights come off or would that not work out for me. Ive heard that people usually use a dosing pump, but i was wondering if i could just mix up enough for a day and dose it all at once? Any advice is very welcome!

I have same size tank and use kalk but I got a ton of coral. If you were to have a lot of coral use half dose. I have had my tank 1.2 years.

 

[Dav2996]

I have a 20 gallon tank and I haven’t added any corals yet, however im trying to grow some coralline and heard that kalk work s well because it increases the ph. My ph is hangyat 7.8 with my dkh at 9.4 calcium at 546. Its high because i was using coral pro, im switching to blue bucket now. My main question is if i can just dose the daily dose all at once when the lights come off or would that not work out for me. Ive heard that people usually use a dosing pump, but i was wondering if i could just mix up enough for a day and dose it all at once? Any advice is very welcome!

I agree "You CANNOT dose it all at once. It would be best to set it up on a doser over a 24 hour period."

 

[Tayreef93]

It looks like your levels are just fine for not having any coral in there. Once you see them start to come down due to consumption you could then think about dosing Kalk. You CANNOT dose it all at once. It would be best to set it up on a doser over a 24 hour period.

I understand. Im just trying to get some coralline to grow so I know its ready for coral. I added some purple helix coralline spores and tge instructions recommended having a ph of 8.2. My current ph is 7.8. Its too cold to open a window and im not using a protein skimmer to use co2 scrubber. Any advice on increasing my ph?

 

[Tayreef93]

I agree "You CANNOT dose it all at once. It would be best to set it up on a doser over a 24 hour period."

Other than kalk, any advice on increasing my ph . Its 7.8 and I just added some purple helix coralline spores and the instructions recommended a ph of around 8.2. Its too cold to open windows. I dont have a protein skimmer either.

 

[Dav2996]

Other than kalk, any advice on increasing my ph . Its 7.8 and I just added some purple helix coralline spores and the instructions recommended a ph of around 8.2. Its too cold to open windows. I dont have a protein skimmer either.

That stuff takes 12 months to a year to even grow coralline. I didn't see any spots until eight months later after using it.

Ways to raise PH
skimmer
Co2 scrubber
Kalkwasser
Fans
Open windows
Aim all pump return outlets to the top of the water to increase O2 circulation
Adding more wave makers can help but not a lot

 

[DaveWrasse]

I have a 25-gallon water box with no skimmer, I just do weekly water changes of 5 to 8 gallons. Corals are mostly LPS and everything is very heathy. I don't think you need to dose Kalk on a 20 gallon tank. Too many risks vs little gains on that size of tank. Besides, your CA and ALK are both high now. My tank doesn't have coralline either, but it supports corals just fine. In fact it's been doing great since day one with corals. It did take a year until the ugly phase worked it's way out.

 

[Dav2996]

I have a 25-gallon water box with no skimmer, I just do weekly water changes of 5 to 8 gallons. Corals are mostly LPS and everything is very heathy. I don't think you need to dose Kalk on a 20 gallon tank. Too many risks vs little gains on that size of tank. Besides, your CA and ALK are both high now. My tank doesn't have coralline either, but it supports corals just fine. In fact it's been doing great since day one with corals. It did take a year until the ugly phase worked it's way out.

Kalkwasser is amazing for saving money.
I can make 80 gallons of kalk for 20$. I have same size tank and I also use two part. I have a heavy coral load though. I think this is an expensive hobby.

 

[nereefpat]

My current ph is 7.8.

That's just fine. How are you measuring pH? Recently calibrated probe?

Its too cold to open a window

At the risk of sounding argumentative, it looks like mid 60s for the next week or so.

Any advice on increasing my ph?

pH in our reef tanks is only a function of 2 things, alkalinity and CO2. If the pH is really 7.8, and your alk is 9.4 dKH, then CO2 in the house is the issue. You can air out the house, use a CO2 scrubber (which isn't worth it), or not worry about pH like most reefers.

 

[DaveWrasse]

Kalkwasser is amazing for saving money.
I can make 80 gallons of kalk for 20$. I have same size tank and I also use two part. I have a heavy coral load though. I think this is an expensive hobby.

I agree, but I use Kalk on my 160-gallon system. I dose 5 - 8 liters per day with a Kalk reactor.

 

[Tidal Gardens Verified Sponsor]

I understand. Im just trying to get some coralline to grow so I know its ready for coral. I added some purple helix coralline spores and tge instructions recommended having a ph of 8.2. My current ph is 7.8. Its too cold to open a window and im not using a protein skimmer to use co2 scrubber. Any advice on increasing my ph?

I wouldn't worry too much about your pH right now. If you are running a skimmer then run a fresh air line outside for it. We would recommend not using Kalk right now at all till you need to start supplementing. Take it nice and easy and it will come before you know it.

 

[Tayreef93]

That's just fine. How are you measuring pH? Recently calibrated probe?

At the risk of sounding argumentative, it looks like mid 60s for the next week or so.


pH in our reef tanks is only a function of 2 things, alkalinity and CO2. If the pH is really 7.8, and your alk is 9.4 dKH, then CO2 in the house is the issue. You can air out the house, use a CO2 scrubber (which isn't worth it), or not worry about pH like most reefers.

Im using a hanna ph checker, it looks like there salinity checker but its red instead of white. Yes, it is 60s but thats too cold for us at the house im afraid. I just checked it again and its 8.2. Only me in the house at tge minute so i think you are right on point that its a co2. When i checked it ladt week it was during when everyone was at home in the living room. There is an overhead fan near my tank, would that help with the ph if i turn it on while we are all in the room?

 

[Dav2996]

Im using a hanna ph checker, it looks like there salinity checker but its red instead of white. Yes, it is 60s but thats too cold for us at the house im afraid. I just checked it again and its 8.2. Only me in the house at tge minute so i think you are right on point that its a co2. When i checked it ladt week it was during when everyone was at home in the living room. There is an overhead fan near my tank, would that help with the ph if i turn it on while we are all in the room?

Yes it helps you can even buy special fans over your tank. It will increase evaporation though.

 

[nereefpat]

Aeration won't help in this case.

Aerating will work if you are introducing low CO2 air. Your room air is high CO2, hence the 'low' (not that low, actually) pH.

 

[Roli's Reef Ranch]

That's just fine. How are you measuring pH? Recently calibrated probe?

At the risk of sounding argumentative, it looks like mid 60s for the next week or so.


pH in our reef tanks is only a function of 2 things, alkalinity and CO2. If the pH is really 7.8, and your alk is 9.4 dKH, then CO2 in the house is the issue. You can air out the house, use a CO2 scrubber (which isn't worth it), or not worry about pH like most reefers.

 

[james2369]

I understand. Im just trying to get some coralline to grow so I know its ready for coral. I added some purple helix coralline spores and tge instructions recommended having a ph of 8.2. My current ph is 7.8. Its too cold to open a window and im not using a protein skimmer to use co2 scrubber. Any advice on increasing my ph?

If you just wanted to raise your ph I woulder if a co2 scrubber would work