Dripping Kalk

[GMH320]

I just started adding kalk as my makeup water in order to get the Ca level up. The pH starts to go way up even though I'm dripping at a rate of about 1 drop every 3 seconds...is this to fast? Is it better to add kalk at night or doesn't it matter.

 

[reefland]

It's best to drip at night or early morning when your pH is the lowest.

 

[esmithiii]

Greg,

How big is your tank? In my 55 I add a drop a second.

 

[Mac1]

Your effluent may be too strong.Is your Kalkwasser milky at all?
How far is your pH swinging? It is supposed to go up slightly.

- Mac

 

[fishfarmer]

I dose kalk 24/7 in my topoff water. If you notice your pH going up, just drip a weaker solution and continue to test pH, Ca, Alk until you figure out how strong your kalk solution needs to be. Just remember your evaporation rate may change seasonally depending on temp and humidity.

 

[Anonymous]

It is my understanding that kalk does not raise Ca or alk, but maintains it. I believe that an outside source of Ca booster is necessary toraise Ca levels such as B-ionic, Sea-Chem, etc. Also, I add vinegar to my kalk to lower the pH. HTH

 

[Anonymous]

Is there any way to raise your gas exchange? Like ruffling the water surface with a powerhead or add an air stone in the sump? It sounds like you don't have enough carbon dioxide in the water. Vinegar in the kalwasser mix may also help.

 

[Anonymous]

Leave it to the chemist to ask the right questions

.

 

[randy holmes-farley]

Greg:

How high is high?

How and where are you measuring pH relative to where the limewater is added?

The problem may not be as dire as you think.

 

[GMH320]

The pH has gone as high as 8.65 when the kalk is being added. Randy brought up a good point though, the probe is located in a hang on refugium and thats where I drip the solution. I was under the impression that you need to mix excess kalk in the top off water, and once saturation is reached, the rest just settles out on the bottom. I'll try using a more dilute mixture and add at night when the pH is at its lowest. BTW, there is a great deal of gas exchange, power heads agitate the water surface and the protein skimmer adds millions of tiny bubbles into the water. Thanks everyone for your input.

 

[esmithiii]

Once again, how big is your tank? Also, move the probe and check again.


E

 

[randy holmes-farley]

It's not surprising that the pH rises that high (or higher) in the vicinity of the addition. The rise in the main tank is likely much lower. You might try measuring that.