Why both kalwasser & 2parts/CaReactor?

[Oshengems]

i have met a few fellow reefers old school with SPS dominat tanks and a few of them do both kalk in their ATO a mild dosage plus either 2 parts or Ca reactor I have met both. I know Kalk buffers PH greatly but is there another reason why ? The one using the 2 parts believes Kalk makes his sps look better than 2 parts is there any reasons to his believes?

I kinda do feel that my overall tank looked better when I first started I was using Kalk but new fresh tank I feel played a part in this, but Besides adding Kh+Ca and boosting PH is there any other benefits from using Kalk?

I have about half a jar left for f Kalk I been considering once I get my sps stable I been getting bleach spots but I believe it’s related to lighting (too much)

 

[Reeferdood]

The 2 main reasons that people use Kalkwasser are:
It is cheap
Raises pH
Some reefers like to use kalk solution solely at night to offset the pH swings and use 2 part during the day.
It works really well and some swear by it, I endorse it too but am not currently employing it.
Two part B-Ionic is working just fine for me.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Kalk offers a pH boost which is particularly helpful with a CaRx which can depress pH. The amount of kalk you can add is limited by evaporation and a well stocked SPS tank will have demands greater than what can be replaced by kalk alone.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Supplementing both calcium and alkalinity in nearly perfect proportions, as well as increasing pH, is pretty attractive to have in a single additive. It also doesn't increase sodium and chloride levels like most two-parts do. I'm not sure what other benefits you would need to consider calcium hydroxide valuable.

The pH boost alone is pretty significant. Many reefers struggle to get their pH to 8.0, let alone keep it there or above. If you're using a calcium reactor, limewater will help to mitigate the pH drop that is inherent with calcium reactors. Dosing limewater along with a two-part can also help reduce the buildup of sodium chloride that occurs with most two-parts.

I would not dose calcium hydroxide for the intangible effects, such as "Joe Reefs says his tank looks better when he doses limewater." Without rigorous testing and controlled experiments, it's impossible to say this with any certainty.