Swapping from CarboCalcium to Kalk

[.Haliax.]

I'm considering swapping from Tropic Marin's Carbocalcium to kalkwasser. I read in my searches for similar threads, that All For Reef is 25x more potent than kalk. I'm assuming that carbocal is the same potency as AFR. If I'm dosing 41.5ml of carbocalcium, that would equal about 1,037ml/4 cups of kalk solution per day. That seems like a lot of work refilling the dosing containers, but I'm looking for that boost in pH. I guess I'd be refilling the ATO less if I'm adding all that kalk solution. I could also consider dosing both carbocal and kalk.

I'm just running this past you guys, seeing if anyone has any input or feedback. TIA!

 

[Dan_P]

I'm considering swapping from Tropic Marin's Carbocalcium to kalkwasser. I read in my searches for similar threads, that All For Reef is 25x more potent than kalk. I'm assuming that carbocal is the same potency as AFR. If I'm dosing 41.5ml of carbocalcium, that would equal about 1,037ml/4 cups of kalk solution per day. That seems like a lot of work refilling the dosing containers, but I'm looking for that boost in pH. I guess I'd be refilling the ATO less if I'm adding all that kalk solution. I could also consider dosing both carbocal and kalk.

I'm just running this past you guys, seeing if anyone has any input or feedback. TIA!

You may want to research the “low pH“ subject. High CO2 tends to be the cause of lower pH.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm considering swapping from Tropic Marin's Carbocalcium to kalkwasser. I read in my searches for similar threads, that All For Reef is 25x more potent than kalk. I'm assuming that carbocal is the same potency as AFR. If I'm dosing 41.5ml of carbocalcium, that would equal about 1,037ml/4 cups of kalk solution per day. That seems like a lot of work refilling the dosing containers, but I'm looking for that boost in pH. I guess I'd be refilling the ATO less if I'm adding all that kalk solution. I could also consider dosing both carbocal and kalk.

I'm just running this past you guys, seeing if anyone has any input or feedback. TIA!

What is the rationale for switching? Perhaps we can suggest alternatives.

That said, I mixed up 100+ gallons of kalkwasser once a month or two, taking about 15 minutes, so it was no big deal for me.

 

[.Haliax.]

What is the rationale for switching? Perhaps we can suggest alternatives.

That said, I mixed up 100+ gallons of kalkwasser once a month or two, taking about 15 minutes, so it was no big deal for me.

Mainly for pH… We have 2 adults, 3 kids, and a dog in the house. I have an airline ran outside, but with the warmer weather comes the mosquito fogger that rides through the neighborhood weekly.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Mainly for pH… We have 2 adults, 3 kids, and a dog in the house. I have an airline ran outside, but with the warmer weather comes the mosquito fogger that rides through the neighborhood weekly.

You can make up a two part with the same pH boost per unit of alk added, but with far higher potency/

 

[.Haliax.]

You can make up a two part with the same pH boost per unit of alk added, but with far higher potency/

Really? How so?

 

[air_run]

Really? How so?

Right here...

Second New DIY Two Part Recipe with Higher pH Boost

In a previous thread, I posted a true two part DIY recipe: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-diy-two-part-recipes-with-higher-ph-boost.344500/ But some folks may want to just swap the new ingredient into my 2/3 part recipe (as used by BRS, for example). Here's the original recipe link...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[TheSheff]

I 100% would recommend a switch to kalk in any situation for more than just ph. I've tried multiple types of dosing (all for reef, reef elixir, 2-part). For some weird reason kalkwasser just seems to make everything happier. I get much more polyp extension on corals while dosing it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I 100% would recommend a switch to kalk in any situation for more than just ph. I've tried multiple types of dosing (all for reef, reef elixir, 2-part). For some weird reason kalkwasser just seems to make everything happier. I get much more polyp extension on corals while dosing it.

While I certainly do not disagree that limewater (kalkwasser) is a good choice (I used only it for 20 years), how do you know the other benefits you see are not from the pH?

 

[Jay Ling]

I'm considering swapping from Tropic Marin's Carbocalcium to kalkwasser. I read in my searches for similar threads, that All For Reef is 25x more potent than kalk. I'm assuming that carbocal is the same potency as AFR. If I'm dosing 41.5ml of carbocalcium, that would equal about 1,037ml/4 cups of kalk solution per day. That seems like a lot of work refilling the dosing containers, but I'm looking for that boost in pH. I guess I'd be refilling the ATO less if I'm adding all that kalk solution. I could also consider dosing both carbocal and kalk.

I'm just running this past you guys, seeing if anyone has any input or feedback. TIA!

Hi .Haliax., How did your switch go? You asked this question one year ago, and I'm curious if you made the switch from Carbocalcium to kalkwasser? I'm going to do this myself but I'm nervous about a possible negative impact on the SPS in my mixed reef. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi .Haliax., How did your switch go? You asked this question one year ago, and I'm curious if you made the switch from Carbocalcium to kalkwasser? I'm going to do this myself but I'm nervous about a possible negative impact on the SPS in my mixed reef. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

I would not expect any negative impact, as long as you are only swapping carbocalcium, not AFR. if it is AFR, you may want to add trace elements and magnesium.

 

[Jay Ling]

I would not expect any negative impact, as long as you are only swapping carbocalcium, not AFR. if it is AFR, you may want to add trace elements and magnesium.

Thanks Randy.

Yes, just CarboCalcium. I haven't used Kalkwasser in years. I want to go back to a an inexpensive yet effective system. Years ago I did Kalk in the ATO. Times have changed! I'll go with a doser.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy.

Yes, just CarboCalcium. I haven't used Kalkwasser in years. I want to go back to a an inexpensive yet effective system. Years ago I did Kalk in the ATO. Times have changed! I'll go with a doser.

Sounds like a fine plan.