Should you use Kalkwasser with no SPS corals?

[johnnyenv]

Hi,

I'm wanting to get my PH to 8.2 by utilizing Kalkwasser. My question is if my tank is mainly stocked with fish and mainly tiny soft and lps frags is Kalkwasser a bad option presumably because it'll continue to raise the Ca & Alk with next to nothing consuming it?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is a fine option, at least to the extent that you use it in an amount to maintain alkalinity at your target level.

The demand for it rises as the pH rises (including abiotic precipitation). Coralline can use quite a lot as well.

 

[anthonys51]

Can kalkwasser be used in a 75 gallon ato When you don’t let all the water run out. Never used it before. Let’s say I guess I am adding 30 gallons and only add 25. If I add kalk for 30 gallons. Can I over time make the water too strong or will the difference only be marginal on a 600 gallon system over time

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can kalkwasser be used in a 75 gallon ato When you don’t let all the water run out. Never used it before. Let’s say I guess I am adding 30 gallons and only add 25. If I add kalk for 30 gallons. Can I over time make the water too strong or will the difference only be marginal on a 600 gallon system over time

You can make it any potency you want, up to the max solubility. If you mix 1 teaspoon per gallon, and add 10 gallons to the reservoir, then add 10 teaspoons.

 

[anthonys51]

Randy. Is adding kalk to your ato good. My friend who is a big sps nut informed me the better way to go is kalk reactor Said it’s more stable

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy. Is adding kalk to your ato good. My friend who is a big sps nut informed me the better way to go is kalk reactor Said it’s more stable

I'm not sure it is either/or.

I prefer dosing from a settled reservoir than a reactor for a few reasons, but that can be done by dosing pump (for max alk stability day to day) or in an ATO.

Or you can dose with a dosing pump driving the water through a reactor. IMO, reactors are harder to control potency and often do not allow precipitation of impurities.

I used it in my ATO and didn't obsess over alk stability since that stability wasn't my primary concern and my tank was heavy on SPS (often having little or none).

 

[anthonys51]

Thanks I will try the reservoir first. I use a calcium reactor but I need to supplement with 2 part but I figured since my ph tends to run 7.6-7.8 I be better off with kalkwasser

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If my pH bottomed out that low (pH 7.6), I'd certainly look to raise it.