Help me add Kalk?

[trick440]

I need to get a kalk system into my tank, bad. I can't figure out the best way to do it.

What I have is. An ATO, that consists of.... a 32g plastic garbage can, with a Mag 12, pumping it real far into my undertank sump.

So is there a reactor I can put inline? I thought I would just add kalk to my 32g ressy... but I heard kalk will eat up the plastic.

Can I do an under tank kalk reactor? and just have that run on and off a few times a day?

I need ideas here. I don't know what I'm doing.

My ATO is pretty sensitive it turns on with very little evaporation. Thanks for any help.

 

[trick440]

Well it looks like I might need to elevate my 32g Ressy, to gravity feed the reactor.... then connect my Mag12 to the output side of the reactor so It will pump it to the sump....?

Hrm... sounds easy, too easy.. gotta be a flaw I'm not seeing. I dont know anything about reactors to be coming up with ideas....

 

[trick440]

Bump

 

[trick440]

Another bump!

 

[Henry Bowman]

You can get a Kalk reactor and feed it from your 32gl can. If your top off float is sensitive and doesnt add too much at a time, I'd add the Kalk to the 32gl can. I have not heard that Kalk will eat up plastic...Most Kalk reactors are made of plastic. The advantage of the reactor is that it keeps the kalk solution in a container with no air exposure. Exposing kalk to air is not all togather bad. I have seen multiple set-ups that use thier top off to add Kalk sucessfully.

I'd add about a teaspoon per gallon and stir it up occasionally.

Hope that helps !

 

[Cubman777]

I think you should rethink your strategy. Get a two part, I like B-ionic, get some test kits, and keep an eye on it. Easiest way to do it. What salt are you doing your water changes with? some are really low in Alk. I had a terrible time with Oceanic, and am currently using Reef Crystals by IO.

 

[barjam]

Fill your water bucket, put in 32 teaspoons stir and cover. No need to keep it stirred as long as it is covered. Obviously you need to stir when you add more water to the bucket.

Cubman777 has a point at least to start with. Get an idea on how much alk/ca your tank uses and dose accordingly. You might find that 1tsp per gallon is too much or not enough.

 

[trick440]

So I can just put it in my top off water and put the lid on? Even thought the lid is not air tight?

I'm gonna go put some pickling lime in right now then.

I have been using Seachem Calcium+ for a month... and I have been going through about a bottle every 1.5 weeks and this stuff is $10 a bottle. Which is rediculas. I have alot of coraline and bracketing coraline that just easts the calcium...

 

[Cubman777]

Yeah, you can definately mix large batches at a time and just top off your tank with it. Many people do this. You know not to go and get it from the fish store right? Go and get food grade pickling lime, like Ms. Wages for example. IT is the exact same thing. Calcium Hydroxide is the name of the game. Kalkwasser is just German for limewater.

 

[Herbie]

Dont forget to keep your pump a few inch's above the bottom of your water container. That way the pump only pumps the "clear" kalk water and not the slurry/ raw kalk.
I would dose the kalk (1-2 teaspoons per gallon) and mix it up well, then let it sit for 12-24 hrs to let the kalk that doesnt saturate, settle, then start it up with your top-off.
I use the Tunze Kalk Reactor on my 75, feed by the Tunze osmolator........Works great!
Good Luck.........Herbie

 

[sjm817]

I agree. Dont bother with a reactor. Mix in some Kalk to your existing 32G container, let it settle, and you are good to go.