Alk

[myrchandle]

I have been reading that 5gallons of top off mixed with kh is max for systems <125 g. Is this true? What is the recommended dosage as topoff with kh? I have a 75g system and I don't want to harm anything. As well I am looking to get a ph monitor but until then word of mouth and looking at my tank inhabitants will have to work.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

[welcome]

kh?

kalkwasser?

I'm sorry, I just don't understand the questions.

 

[palawan]

Usually people use limewater as their topoff source. Calcium hydroxide or Mrs. Wages pickling lime mixed with RO/DI water is what most reefers use as their topoff water. This limewater will aid in KH and Ca in your tank but it will only stabalize your existing parameters. If they are low you need to add supplements to bring them up to NSW levels. I run an all SPS tank and I try to keep my parameters at 9.5 DKH, and 400-450 Ca, with MG at 1350-1400, I use a kalk reactor and Ca reactor and sometimes I need to dose a buffer and Mg supplement.

 

[HighlandReefer]

This article written by Randy may help:

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

 

[myrchandle]

Sorry yes Kalkwasser. I have been maintaining LPS and zoas for a while and a bunch of my buddies gave me some sps pieces to give it a shot... I lost a piece already but that is because I noticed a drop in my KH level from 10 to 7. I was given a Kalkwasser mix and was told 1 tbsp per gallon. I read somewhere that you should not dump a whole mix but rather slowly drip?
So I was thinking of making a diluted solution of 1 tbsp per 3 gallons and dump? Or is that going reduce my ca/kh dosage as well?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, limewater (the English word for the German term kalkwasser) must be dripped or pumped slowly, but if you do so, it is a fine way to go. It is what I've used for more than 13 years.

Start at 1 level teaspoon per gallon of top off water. If that does not maintain alkalinity, then go to 2 level teaspoons. Higher than that will typically not dissolve in the fresh water to off and will just settle as mud on the bottom.

This article has lots of details on using limewater:

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