Should I switch from Bionic to Kalkwasser?

[ps2cho]

Maybe someone who has used both can help me here...

I do not want to purchase a kalk reactor. I'll stick to Bionic if this is the case...

Basically can I purchase some Kalk like this:
Amazon.com: Seachem Reef Kalkwasser 500gram: Pet Supplies

Then mix it in another container and put the clear solution right into my top off reservoir? I have a dual float switch ATO /w an Aqualifter. Since the aqualifter is only 3.5gph, I figure it is slow enough for kalk right?
As long as I ensure I have the correct amount of kalk in the reservoir and monitor with changes in evaporation, will that be ok?

Or should I just continue dosing Bionic like I currently am?
My current consumption of Bionic is ~8ml alk and 4ml ca per day.

 

[MondoBongo]

you can run kalk in your top off. the issues i have heard some people having is if the top off gets stuck on it can cloud up the tank, or sometimes if they're not experiencing enough evap, it can lead to not getting enough dosed. i have also heard about it being a bit rough on the ATO pumps.

i bought a BRS peristaltic dosing pump for my kalk, so it is in its own reservoir and on its own timing schedule. no need to worry about the ATO aspect of it.

it has been working quite well for me that way.

i like having kalk around too for general utility. it's good for burning out the remnants of soft corals or aiptasia.

that being said, if bionic is working for you, why fix what's not broken?

 

[ps2cho]

More of a cash saving deal...I want to eliminate the daily chore of dosing, and if I go away for the weekend, I don't want to come home to bleached sps.
So either A) I get 2 dosing pumps, or B) I start kalk.

Do you know how kalk fairs with the aqualifters?

 

[MondoBongo]

unfortunately no, not specifically.

from what i've heard others say it just wears on the pump than normal water does. which makes sense due to the pH and particles in suspension.

the BRS dosing pumps are pretty affordable and so far i haven't run in to any issues with mine and the kalk.

BRS 2 Part Doser ? 1.1 mL per minute - Bulk Reef Supply

 

[ps2cho]

With my daily dosing of 8ml alk and 4ml ca...will this translate to a small/medium or large amount of kalk needed?
I want to see if I am even going to save money on this?
Otherwise I am not interested if its going to save me 50c a month, but cause me to spend an additional 30mins of work mixing the kalk each week. For me, that's not a good trade off.

 

[MondoBongo]

that is tough to say, but kalk is really cheap. you can even get it at your local supermarket, in some areas not during the winter, for very cheap.

BRS sells it in bulk too.

BRS Bulk Kalkwasser (Calcium Hydroxide) Aquarium Supplement - Bulk Reef Supply

i wouldn't waste the money on the SeaChem brand stuff. i got myself one of the half gallon BRS bulk jugs and have been using it for almost a year now and only used about 1/3 of it.

there is a point where your alk/cal requirements will outstrip the amount of kalk slurry you can provider, but i haven't hit them yet. i have a moderately stocked, mixed reef.

 

[backpack]

The difference in price depends how far you go into either one. If you pick up a Kalk reactor and a ato setup it will cost 200-400. But you most likely will love minimal maintenance. Kalk is just easy to use. It keeps your ph up and with a low to moderate consumption it's forgiving. I have accidentally dosed an entire gallon container with little adverse affects. Imagine dosing a gallon of alk when you just meant to leave it on for an extra few minutes.

 

[hart24601]

I use kalk and vinegar in my biocube with JBJ ato and aqualifter pump. I clean out the tubing every few months, run some straight vinegar though it then, about a cup. Been going for two years now with no problems from the aqualifter. When I notice it not pumping well then it's time for cleaning, like I said every few months. I do run the aqualifter prefilter now, that helps tremendous with extending the cleaning time.

 

[hart24601]

I should add that all I do is dissolve the pickling lime in the vinegar then fill with RO/DI water. I use a old large cheese-ball container that lasts several months for the little cube. Easy. My tank does use alk pretty fast so I do have to dose a bit of baking soda every 3 months or so, waterchanges and kalk do the rest.

 

[Servo]

Listen to episode 180 This will answer all of your questions. The short answer is no.

http://www.reefthreads.com/?p=2570