5074 calcium dispenser and pickling lime

[acerhigh]

I've been running an osmolator through a 5074 calcium dispenser for 4 months....... but haven't added anything to the dispenser yet. I plan on using pickling lime. I have about 180 gallons of water volume in a mixed reef...... mostly softies and lps. I do not use any calcium reactor. My calcium levels currently stay around 400-420 but my ph has dropped to around 7.8. I evaporate approximately 3.5 to 4 gallons of water per day.... can you give me an estimate of the amount of lime to start with. I've been nervous of "overdosing" I know the manual for the 5074 states for a leather tank of 105 - 264 gallons to use 20grams of calcium hydroxide.... sure seems like a pretty broad range of water volume...

I'd appreciate your advice!

thanks,

Dan

 

[rvitko]

The main thing is that it doses it in small increments giving it time to mix. I have never used pickling lime so I can't say for sure what the results will be, I know it is basically kalk but it obviously has some impurities as well given the yellowish color. I would follow the 4 teaspoons (20g) recommendation in general but you might see what happens with half that dose the first run through.

 

[acerhigh]

thank you very much!!!

Dan