Calcium Top Off Water

[Rhinecanthus]

I have 2 nano tank (10g and 12G) that are plumbed to a 15g sump. So roughly 35g or so total in my system.

I am setting up a top off system with a large (maybe 40g) trashcan and a Kangaroo Dosing pump.

Calculating the amount to have the dosing pump top off throughout the day will be a matter of trial and error.

What I WOULD like to accomplish is have the top off water also add and maintain the calcium to the tank as it drop the freshwater.

I was hoping to accomplish this by simply mixing in some kents liquid calcium (or similar product) into the top off water to get an appropriate calcium level there, thus the top off would steadily add calcium rich fresh water to the tank.

A few problems I can forsee:

1. Accurately titrating the amount of product to add to the top off water to give me the appropriate calcium. I am not sure if the SW test kits will measure this fresh top off + calcium correctly.

2. The calcium coming out of solution...not sure if it does this.

Any way this method would work?

Looking for a simple way to top off water (which I think I have) but would like to combine the calcium (and other additives if possible) to this.

My goal is to basically only have to do regular water changes and thats it!

Any thoughts on what I have described?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The calcium chloride won't come out of fresh water solution if the fresh water is pure and you add nothing else to it.

How are you supplementing alkalinity? Most people use such systems to add limewater, adding both the necessary calcium and alkalinity in the proper ratio.

I wouldn't bother to try to measure calcium in the top off, although you likely can. Presumably you know how much you need now? Just divide that into the daily water top off.

 

[Rhinecanthus]

The limewater would work as well? My understanding was this need to be stirred regularly and then allowed to settle for a few hours before dosing.

Can this just be added to the water reservoir once, let settle and then the water can be dosed until the can is nearly empty?

 

[bertoni]

That's what I do. I mix 5g at a time. Lasts about a week, but the limewater will stay good longer. This article might be useful:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Can this just be added to the water reservoir once, let settle and then the water can be dosed until the can is nearly empty?

Also what I do. My reservoir (88 gallons) lasts for weeks.

 

[jmkarcz]

So you are toping of exclusively with limewater then?

That would make my life much easier.


Jason

 

[Rhinecanthus]

Thank you very much! This has been extremely helpful.

It seems the only thing I need to do now is determine my tanks limewater needs and make my top off water an appropriate concentration based on that.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So you are toping of exclusively with limewater then?

That would make my life much easier.

Yes. I end up using partially saturated limewater, and I dilute it more during the highest evaporation times of the year.

It seems the only thing I need to do now is determine my tanks limewater needs and make my top off water an appropriate concentration based on that.

That sounds good. You're welcome and good luck.