is this to much kalk to fast

[tzenda]

my drip may have been to fast
im lookin for opinions

i dripied in 1/2 qt in 45 min of a kalk base that contained 1tsp per gal of water

75 gal tank with good flow

 

[shellshocked]

I would not worry about that amount. It should be fine. That is the problem with dripping kalk - it is difficult to get the drip rate right day after day.

 

[Tackett]

Keep a watch on your pH. If it doesnt jack up, then you arent using too much.

 

[danmhippo]

As long as your pH does not swing, you are fine.

 

[tzenda]

i know i should know this but what would be acceptable ph differences,
like with lights on then lights off, and how much will it change when kalk is added?

 

[danmhippo]

I don't know about others, but I do not feel pH swing of +-0.2 acceptable. I keep my tank pH stable within +-0.1.

My tank don't really experience pH swing at all, as I have a 247 lit refugium.

 

[Tackett]

I agree with Dan. I dont like any amount of swing.

Stability, stability, stability

 

[reefmongrel]

I have 110 g including refugium and drip in more concentrated kalk than that over about an hour and a half - never had a problem w pH or impact on tank. Ca runs about 400. I drip in an area of high circulation - and it tends to be an area away from where fish congregate.

 

[Anonymous]

i know i should know this but what would be acceptable ph differences,
like with lights on then lights off, and how much will it change when kalk is added?

That depends on your system and how it is maintained. In my system I have a daily ph swing of from ~ 8.4 or higher to 7.8 or lower. And everything seems to be fine.

 

[Anonymous]

i know i should know this but what would be acceptable ph differences,
like with lights on then lights off, and how much will it change when kalk is added?

If PH rises a detectable amount from before you started dosing the limewater then you're running out of dissolved CO2 and wasting the beneficial Carbonate in the limewater. Dosing it into your skimmer intake will often lessen the chance of running out of CO2 because it gets reacquired quickly from the bubbles in the skimmer. Another solution is to drip slower or add a little vinegar to the tank or the limewater itself.

Without adequate CO2 the Hydroxide cannot convert to Bicarbonate.

 

[spsmike]

Also might want to think about using vinegar and dosing primarly a few hours before the lights come on.Maybe you could use a timer.