Stating kalk with triton method

[davsreef]

Looking to start kalk as just got an apex and found my ph sits at 7.66-7.90 how would you start I know I’ll have to work out my evaporation first but once that is done would I just start with half my evaporation over 24hrs and wind back my triton dosage? While monitoring alk?

 

[dwest]

Looking to start kalk as just got an apex and found my ph sits at 7.66-7.90 how would you start I know I’ll have to work out my evaporation first but once that is done would I just start with half my evaporation over 24hrs and wind back my triton dosage? While monitoring alk?

Sounds like a good starting point. You definitely want to keep a close eye on alkalinity.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

First thing to determine is how much alk demand do you presently have. That will tell you the dose starting point. It is not based on pH.

 

[davsreef]

Sounds like a good starting point. You definitely want to keep a close eye on alkalinity.

So going to be using the dos to add the kalk can I just mix it up in a 25lt drum put a dosing line in the top but not to the bottom and dose half or a quarter of my evap over 24hrs and see where it sits then? Sorry I’m in the uk so not used to gallons ect

 

[dwest]

So going to be using the dos to add the kalk can I just mix it up in a 25lt drum put a dosing line in the top but not to the bottom and dose half or a quarter of my evap over 24hrs and see where it sits then? Sorry I’m in the uk so not used to gallons ect

The mechanics (the dos, drum, dosing line) are fine.

Do you know how much alkalinity you use in day? Once you know that that, you can use a calculator to figure out how much kalkwasser to dose. I would figure out the starting dosing based on alkalinity consumption not off of evaporation.

 

[davsreef]

The mechanics (the dos, drum, dosing line) are fine.

Do you know how much alkalinity you use in day? Once you know that that, you can use a calculator to figure out how much kalkwasser to dose. I would figure out the starting dosing based on alkalinity consumption not off of evaporation.

Can probably work it out from how much triton I dose I guess as tank has been pretty stable for around 9 months if anything been upping the dose over the last month don’t think I dose very much mind 17ml of each core 7 alk liquids

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can probably work it out from how much triton I dose I guess as tank has been pretty stable for around 9 months if anything been upping the dose over the last month don’t think I dose very much mind 17ml of each core 7 alk liquids

Yes, calculating the dKH you add per day using that addition will tell you how much to start dosing the limewater .

 

[davsreef]

Niceone thank you for the help also is there any problem with light getting to the container the kalk is in I know it has to be almost air tight but not fully

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Niceone thank you for the help also is there any problem with light getting to the container the kalk is in I know it has to be almost air tight but not fully

There is no effect from light. A brute trash can lid is fine for storage of limewater.

 

[davsreef]

Going to be using two of these 25lts so 6.6 gallons each I think

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Those look good. Just cut a hole in the cap for the tubing to enter. That assumes you will use a pump that resides outside the container.

 

[davsreef]

Yep that’s the idea then maybe have a float valve lose in the barrel to float the dossing tube so it stays near the top of the kalk solution

 

[davsreef]

Those look good. Just cut a hole in the cap for the tubing to enter. That assumes you will use a pump that resides outside the container.

Would you say my low ph has contributed to my lack of success with sps then can keep montipora but as soon as an acro/milli/tenuis go in two weeks later they strip

 

[davsreef]

Here’s the tank too !!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If pH 7.66 is accurate, it might be. That's definitely on the low end.

 

[davsreef]

If pH 7.66 is accurate, it might be. That's definitely on the low end.

Never really tested ph in all honesty but was a little higher yesterday on a brand new apex a3 but I did calibrate this morning lights are just starting to ramp up so may hit 8 at the high point

 

[dwest]

Never really tested ph in all honesty but was a little higher yesterday on a brand new apex a3 but I did calibrate this morning lights are just starting to ramp up so may hit 8 at the high point

Every pH probe I have ever owned needed to be recalibrated a week or two after beginning of use. So I wouldn’t worry about the pH number, at least not yet.

 

[dwest]

Here’s the tank too !!

Looks great!

 

[davsreef]

Every pH probe I have ever owned needed to be recalibrated a week or two after beginning of use. So I wouldn’t worry about the pH number, at least not yet.

Was also thinking that too let it settle for a bit

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Never really tested ph in all honesty but was a little higher yesterday on a brand new apex a3 but I did calibrate this morning lights are just starting to ramp up so may hit 8 at the high point

I'd be wary of assuming you have a pH issues based on APEX readings.