Kalk Dripping

[digitalreefer]

Quick question... I have a peristaltic pump for dosing kalk, but havent figured out how much I need to drip daily yet. Can I drip all of my kalk top off within a couple hours once a day or does it have to be done over a longer period of time. If so, could I do 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the evening?

Once I determine how many ml I go through, I can set it as a continuous drip throughout the day. Also, does it make sense to drip Kalk at night only to maintain ph or is it better to drip day and night?

Ok, so it wasn't a quick question, but thanks for any help!

 

[Deanos]

Before dosing in any quantity, I'd chart how the kalk affects your pH. Dosing an amount for 2 hrs could send your tank's pH above levels suitable for your livestock. If the effect is within safety margins, feel free to continue dosing as is or dose continuously throughout the day.

I find dosing at night is only beneficial if your pH drops dangerously low during that timeframe.

 

[digitalreefer]

Probably a good idea, I guess I need to get myself a pH monitor and ditch the test kits if I want to try this. Does anyone have one I can borrow for a few days, or a cheap one for sale... I spent a fortune putting my tank back together and am kinda broke right now.

 

[meschaefer]

When I used Kalk, I used it in my top off water, which was fed directly into my system via an auto top off system. This way it was dosed throughout the day, as my water evaporated.

I had used a peristaltic pump before changing over to an auto top off system. If you think that you will now need a ph monitor, I think you would be better served by a float switch and a small pump for the auto top off.

 

[digitalreefer]

I am planning on setting up an ATO soon, but will still want to use the pump to possibly dose other supplements. The ph monitor is probably a good idea regardless when I'm dosing.

 

[vanceny]

Is there a general guidline as to how much kalk to add to the water to make a certain concentration? I've heard 2 tsp per gallon but what does that equate to? I'm trying to figure out how much to dose using my ato.

 

[Deanos]

I'd start with 1 tsp per gallon and see what your levels adjust to.

 

[vanceny]

thanks. I'll start with that.

 

[bad coffee]

I replace all my top off with kalk. i have for a long time.

Eric, I have a pinpoint in my cabinet. You're welcome to borrow it.

B

 

[Dace]

i use a Litermeter 3 to dose my kalk. it divides the dosage into 150 so it dose very litle at a time. at night would be best with your method.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

I use a 1gal container to drip my top off kalk. I mix the kalk and set it up and messed with the drip until it kept the water level constant. This way it is topping off as at the as close to the same speed as evaporation is occurring. I have never had any problems with dosing this way and never any problems with the parameters. It's the same type of setup as if I had used a float valve which I think is better for kalk top off rather than a peristaltic pump due to the difference in timing and amount.