Why dose kalk

[Mattl22]

I hear a lot about kalk but truthfully I don't even know what it is or does?
Would like to know more about it, how it helps and how to dose it??

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

AKA limewater... and others. Used in reef aquaria to raise PH without affecting Alk & Ca++ too much(Lymans terms). This thread will get somewhat complicated if you really want to know about it. But there are basics you need to follow before you use it and why. So if your into reading... I'll post a link for it.

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Here is some reading for you....http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

Bingo

here is some reading for you....http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

+1

Excellent choice Closet!! LOL!

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

+1

Excellent choice Closet!! LOL!

Thanks Ozone....:splitspin Here is a little more reading for you...http://www.reefscapes.net/articles/breefcase/kalkwasser.html

 

[Mattl22]

Thanks guys gonna check it out now

 

[Mattl22]

Ok so just read both articles I understand the different procedures to maintain proper cal and alk levels. right now I use bright well 2 part dose once a week I tested last night and my cal was 460 my ph was between 8.4 and 8.8
I will test again tonight to see how much cal my system is using my goal is to find the right dose so I can dose daily not weekly to keep the levels consistent
The limewater seems like a lot of work why not go with a cal reactor instead?? Right now my system is mostly frags so I'm goon stick with the 2 part when it requires much more in a few yes I'll breakout and buy a reactor.

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Ok so just read both articles I understand the different procedures to maintain proper cal and alk levels. right now I use bright well 2 part dose once a week I tested last night and my cal was 460 my ph was between 8.4 and 8.8
I will test again tonight to see how much cal my system is using my goal is to find the right dose so I can dose daily not weekly to keep the levels consistent
The limewater seems like a lot of work why not go with a cal reactor instead?? Right now my system is mostly frags so I'm goon stick with the 2 part when it requires much more in a few yes I'll breakout and buy a reactor.

Quite on the contrary....Getting a container filling it with ro/di water and mixing in pickling lime; stir with a peice of pvc pipe and put a lid on the container....Let sit for 2 hours and start using it. Not much to making it. A lot of smaller demand tanks use this exclusively. In addition, larger demanding tanks may use bolth(calcium reactor as well as kalk). Most people start with kalk due to its inexpensive start up costs. Either method still requires you to determine your tanks demand and adjust accordingly. If you do use Kalk when mixing do yourself a favor...put a mask on when mixing and wear gloves.

 

[Boomer]

Since we are talking about Kalk then lets bring it all out.

Limewater (kalkwasser)

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

The Self Purification of Limewater (Kalkwasser)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2003/chem.htm

Magnesium and Strontium in Limewater
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2003/chem.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

The Degradation of Limewater (Kalkwasser) in Air
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rhf/feature/index.htm

 

[Mattl22]

Oh boy I'll chime in when I'm done with these articles
Btw my cal went down 20 ppm over 24 hr period will check same time tommorrow

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

You must of topped off with RODI water.

 

[Thales]

Since we are talking about Kalk then lets bring it all out.

Limewater (kalkwasser)

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

The Self Purification of Limewater (Kalkwasser)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2003/chem.htm

Magnesium and Strontium in Limewater
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2003/chem.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

The Degradation of Limewater (Kalkwasser) in Air
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rhf/feature/index.htm

I love you man.

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

You should be good at thoose levels... and its Alkalinity not PH at 8.4 - 8.8

If you add daily dosings at the current scheme your levels will rise. You want to maintain the level that your at now. Called the sweet spot.

Cal Reactor = more electricity, solenoids go bad, more MONEY, etc etc... vs Dosing make your own batch , at its own strength for your tank, inexpensive and 1 gallon should last you a month. Dosing possibly 3 times a week when you top off.