Another Kalk Question

[Overland04]

I gravity feed a 5g bucket to my sump through a float in the sump. The bucket gets filled to the top with RO/DI water through a float switch. my question is, can I just fill the bucket with a pound of kalk and as the fresh water comes in it gets saturated with kalk and gets gravity fed to the sump? Over time it will use the kalk as needed to saturate the fresh water and need to be replaced when It gets low.....I think?

 

[rick s]

No. While there is nothing wrong with putting more kalk in the container than is needed; to turn the new "freshwater" into "limewater", you'll need to mix it. The kalk will not disolve and create limewater just by passing by it.

 

[Overland04]

Ok...so if I get a way to mix the kalk like a very slow rotating stirrer than I'll be ok?

 

[rick s]

Well, that is what a kalk stirrer does, and that is a different piece of equipment. Many people use them; however, some believe that a kalk stirrer allows heavier particles to pass-on to the tank (which some people say you do not want).

From what I’ve read: The ideal way to run a kalk stirrer is to stop the flow going through it, turn it on and allow it to mix, turn it off, give it time (hours) to let the larger particles settle, allow flow to pass through it to carry out the “mixed” water, then repeat the process. Using a mechanical float valve alone will not allow you to regulate it.

 

[drummereef]

Good article about proper mixing and dosing procedure.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

 

[Overland04]

Thanks!! Great article