Dosing Kalk

[Lakeside518]

I have a JBJ ATO and i also have a kent reef doser.

What would be the most efficient way to dose my kalk?
One can't really use a doser with an ATO can they? Or just add the kalk to the container containing the make up water & pump?

Would it be wise to just use a kalk reactor? What are the advantages of a reactor? They are plumbed in using an ATO right?

Need help with plumbing in this case. Whats recommended?

 

[michaelg]

Arguably, you get more kalk delivered to your tank with a reactor. Yes, you can use your auto-top off with it. The water just feeds the input of the reactor, then water is displaced from the reactor to top off your water. Personally, I have just been putting kalk in my makeup water bucket. Not enough gets added in a shot that I have ever noticed any problems with it. I used to do the drip thing, but found that to be a pain- personally but did it for years. I also spike the water with a little vinegar to dissolve a bit more kalk. I also run a calcium reactor though, so I'm not concerned about this being my only source of calcium. Many people like to dose kalk overnight, as it keeps the pH of the tank up (CO2 accumulation brings it down I believe).

 

[plandy]

Yea, there's just so many ways to administer calcium. Like most of us you'll need to experiment with a few method to see which works best for you according to your bio-load. The main thing is to be careful of not adding too much too soon.

 

[sbertomen]

Michael,

I am so glad you posted on kalk. I have been pondering for a little while now on how bigger tanks claim all their makeup water is kalk when everything I have read says you are supposed to drip it in. I can just barely keep up with the evaporation on my 20g by dripping kalk - and generally wind up using some distilled water because the drips do not keep up.

This has been puzzling me for a bit. So you guys are NOT always dripping this stuff?

 

[Lakeside518]

Sara you could just adjust your drip rate and monitor it to match your evap. I think thats what most people do, most that i know of. I could be wrong.

I find it annoying testing for calcium. I'm seriously considering a Pinpoint calcium monitor to simplify things. Does anyone use one?

A kalk reactor Q: Whats better, the stir method or a unit with a powerhead? The unit with the powerhead, when you add the kalk and it settles to the bottom. Wouldn't the pump stir it up to much even if on a timer? Preventing it from settling. A kalk stir seems like a more efficient gentle approach?

I know little of reactor's in this hobby. Quite obvious.

I just want everything right for live stock upgrades. Looking forward to getting two clams sometime soon.

 

[michaelg]

In a 20 gallon tank without a sump, I would definately drip it in. My system has it going into the sump and is very turbulent area, so mixed up very quickly and dilluted. How much are you dripping in a day? You could run the drip overnight, top off remainder in the morning, and be good for the day.

 

[michaelg]

Personally I think the pump method of mixing is better. Both eventually wear out, and a pump is easy to fix/replace. You do want it to mix strong. Idea with them is that the mix doesn't get high enough for much of the mixed stuff to get in the tank. It settles back down pretty quickly from what I've seen.

 

[Lakeside518]

Thats what i was wondering. Being that it is being stirred up so rapidly. Affraid it would cloud the tank or clog up a line. So how do you control the pump with a timer i would guess, but how long would it cycle and how often?

 

[michaelg]

yes with a timer of some sort. You could e-mail someone like Jason at Premium Aquatics.