Removing kalk water from slurry

[wabooth555]

I was planning on adding kalkwasser to my ATO, and from what I've read, I should:

1. Mix (up to 2 tsp per gallon) of kalk with RO/DI in the ATO reservoir.

2. Let the slurry settle to the bottom.

3. Ensure the ATO pump is not on the bottom of the ATO reservoir (so no slurry is pumped)

4. Let the ATO pump the "clear" water into the sump as water evaporates.

QUESTION: If the ATO is only pumping out the "clear" water, then couldn't the kalk/rodi be mixed in a bucket, let the slurry settle, then siphon the "clear" water into the ATO reservoir? This way, there would not get any slurry in your resevoir.

 

[mfinn]

I mixed up 1 heaping teaspoon per gallon of ro water in a 5 gallon bucket that I installed a guest valve about 2" up from the bottom of the bucket.
I mix up the pickling lime ( Mrs. Wages) in the bucket and screw on the lid and let it sit for 24 -36hr. The bucket sits on top of another bucket.
After the settling period, I move another bucket under the valve and let the clear liquid drain out without disturbing the bucket.
That's what I add to my top off container.

 

[hybridazn]

I was planning on adding kalkwasser to my ATO, and from what I've read, I should:

1. Mix (up to 2 tsp per gallon) of kalk with RO/DI in the ATO reservoir.

2. Let the slurry settle to the bottom.

3. Ensure the ATO pump is not on the bottom of the ATO reservoir (so no slurry is pumped)

4. Let the ATO pump the "clear" water into the sump as water evaporates.

QUESTION: If the ATO is only pumping out the "clear" water, then couldn't the kalk/rodi be mixed in a bucket, let the slurry settle, then siphon the "clear" water into the ATO reservoir? This way, there would not get any slurry in your resevoir.

You can do that, it's basically how a kalk stirrer/reactor works. You just have the ato reservoir pump into the reactor and in turn it pumps the lime water into the sump/tank for top off

 

[jason2459]

Or just reuse the slurry.

I have a still water resevour (29 gallon brute tote). I fill it up with RO/DI water. I dump in some kalk. I take a PVC pipe and stir for around 30 seconds. I put the lid back on. A couple hours later I turn the pump back on.

Next time I refill with RO/DI water I don't add more kalk. I take that pvc pipe and stir for around 30 seconds. I put the lid back on. I turn the pump back on a few hours later.

This can be done if you want fully saturated limewater. Like mentioned you don't want the pump to pull from the slury. I have my intake tube around an inch above the slurry. I use a peristaltic pump for the dosing.

Then periodically I dump in some more kalk. Again I use fully saturated lime and don't measure the amount added.

I plan to periodically about once a year to clean out the tote and discard any remaining slurry and start again. Though, I've been planning to do that for something over 7 years now and haven't gotten to doing that yet. lol

Bottom right is that tote. You can see the slurry on the bottom I just let settle out after stirring. I had just dumped some more in just over a week before this picture was taken. Close to needing to be filled up again.

Won't need to dump more in for some time. Will just keep stirring it in. Has worked well for me for many years. Main method to keep my pH up over 7.8 and only method of maintaining calcium and alkalinity in a mixed reef.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

QUESTION: If the ATO is only pumping out the "clear" water, then couldn't the kalk/rodi be mixed in a bucket, let the slurry settle, then siphon the "clear" water into the ATO reservoir? This way, there would not get any slurry in your resevoir.

Yes, you can and many folks do.

I actually mix in the ATO reservoir (3 x 44 gallon Brute cans plumbed together with bulkheads) and just keep the intake a tad off the bottom.

 

[dabeling]

What is the downside of the slurry getting into the tank? I've definitely had this happen from time to time and haven't experienced anything negative.

 

[jd371]

My ATO reservoir is a 5 gal bucket with egg crate on the bottom to keep the pump a couple of inches off the slurry. The bucket also has a float switch that's attached to an LED on my stand that lights when the water level gets low, when its time to refill I remove the bucket from the stand clean it out and fill it halfway with RODI water (easier to put the bucket back in the stand when it's half full) and add the kalk. Once the bucket is back I fill it up with the rest of the RODI water and add some mixed salt water to the sump to raise the level a little bit, this keeps the ATO from pumping water into the sump a few hours to let the kalk settle.

 

[wabooth555]

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I'm going to use a Brute can to mix the Kalk. After it settles, I'll pump the water to my ATO reservoir.

Thanks again!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What is the downside of the slurry getting into the tank? I've definitely had this happen from time to time and haven't experienced anything negative.

The slurry, if it contains undissolved calcium hydroxide as mine does, can overdose the tank, boosting the pH and alk so high that the tank turns to milk with a major precipitation event. I've had that happen several times.

 

[dabeling]

The slurry, if it contains undissolved calcium hydroxide as mine does, can overdose the tank, boosting the pH and alk so high that the tank turns to milk with a major precipitation event. I've had that happen several times.

Wow - good to know!! Thanks Randy!