How about a kalk discussion

[jfl14609]

I was just reading Mels thread and its starting to touch on kalk dosing. It seems that most people are doing it now. What do people use as a routine just topping off then still either running a calcium reactor or dosing two part solution or do some people use this as a primary source then use a two part say on a weekly basis to just tweak the levels.
Also what setups are people using to dose their Kalk (pics would be nice). In the past I have tried it but just got frustrated as the kalk always settled to the bottom and clogged whatever contraption I was using to drip with.
Are there any other elements people are finding they use more like magnesium or other trace elements that they have to dose as well?

 

[cardiffgiant]

I've used both for a long time now. I'd need to use tons of 2 part if I didn't also use kalk. I use 8 tsps per 5 gallon bucket. I go a little light because I also use 2 tsps of kalk fighting aiptasia.

The rigid airline that extends into my 5 gal buckets doesn't reach the bottom, so that the slurry at the bottom doesn't clog anything (or reach my tank).

 

[Henry Colf]

I drip kalkawasser 24/7 at the rate of a drop every 30 seconds and then top off with ro/di water manually. I use a 5 gal food grade bucket this works out as it lasts the whole week. Then I dose B-Ionic as needed.

 

[Piazzon12]

I top off kalk full time.... I mix up 18 gallons at a time and it last just over a week. Every couple months I clean the sludge out from the bottom of the 18G rubbermaid reservior. I use 3 heaping teaspoons per 5 gallon bucket... that I then lug upstairs to fill the reservoir .
My setup is as basic as it gets. In the closet behind the tank sits an 18 gallon rubbermaid container, doubled up for rigidty.
The ato is very basic, got the idea from melev (http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html)
Two float switches(aquahub.com) in the sump, one is level sense, and one emergency shutoff. They are wired in series with an extension cord I cut. On top of the rubbermaid sits the aqualifter that is plugged into the extension cord. Tops of kalk very slowly and a little at a time as the level drops.

 

[Newreeflady]

I use b-ionic solely, but am going to start dripping kalk then kalk/vinegar in the new system once it's set up.


-A

 

[dreaminmel]

Great idea Jeff. I'm also interested in hearing feedback from people on their approach. For now I voted that I only dose 2 part but am considering attempting kalk again.

 

[GMaquarium]

Although I voted for Kalk only, I want to point out that it is not ment to bring up Ca, alk. I use salt that contains high amount of calcium, mag and pretty high alk. So dripping kalkwasser daily is to only try and maintain the numbers between my weekly water changes. I do not use reactors or two part anymore on my own tank.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Ca Reactor and Continuous Kalk drip 24/7 via AC jr and aqualifter.

 

[jfl14609]

cully your running what I have been debating on running on my 120 whats your exact schedule and hows the aqua lifter run thought he acjr

mel I figured you would want to get some info too but I didn't want to hijack your thread too much of that going on these days haha

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

I dose lime water so long as my pH isn't spiking too high; when summertime brings open windows and lots of fresh air, 2-part will become my main means. A Ca Rx would be my first approach method, but the cost of even building a basic devise is prohibitive, however, as more and more needs/wants get filled in an Rx moves closer to the top of my list.

For many a gallon of saturated lime water will be adding to much Ca and Alk as it will add ~16ppm Ca and ~2.3 dKh Alk per 50 gal, hence in many systems, a dose of less than fully saturated lime water is needed to keep primarily Alk levels from sky high!

Care needs to be taken dosing Lime. I will not dose it with out a constant read pH meter; when my pinpoint is down I use 2-part. The sludge is full of impurities and shouldn't be added to the tank, so the line drawing solution needs to be kept off the bottom of the container. Again, its often the case the limewater adds too much Alk and the amount dosed should match its depletion rate.

I use a simple syphon and a gallon pickle jar set on my canopy and feeding my sump. I think it would be easier on the pumps if it dripped into the mt, but that may be 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. My drip line is an IV line my other brings home from her vet clinic; its nice because it has a simple pinch wheel used for controlling the drip rate, there are other kinds of flow rate devices, but I like this as it can be moved up or down as the vinyl tubing tends to get memory kinks. They also come with a handy little plastic piece that they use to pinch off the line, but I use to hook on the container. I also add a wrap of fly tying lead wire to hold the drip line down in the limewater. In my planned system with a sump room I intend to use an oldskool dedicated lime container with a float valve ato and a feed pump for dosing.

 

[Capt_Cully]

cully your running what I have been debating on running on my 120 whats your exact schedule and hows the aqua lifter run thought he acjr

I figured I need about 1 gallon a day. I tested the aqualifter with plain water to see it's output over 1 hr then multiplied by 24. I mean dripping Kalk isn't an exact thing, to me. Conesus kid did the math. Figured that you can program the ACJr to run for 1 minute every 20-23 minutes or so. There is a setting on the controller for drips. Outlet #1 on 1 out of 23 minutes or something like that. Maybe he could chime in here. It was much easier when he explained it to me.

 

[Steve Canyon]

No suppliements here. (yet) I use Oceanic diluted down with RC.

 

[jfl14609]

No suppliements here. (yet) I use Oceanic diluted down with RC.

But you do huge weekly water changes right

 

[Jedistphn]

CA Reactor, Kalk 24/7 and 2 part once a month to add those trace elements, on top of regular water changes

 

[Steve Canyon]

But you do huge weekly water changes right

Huge is an understatement. In an effort to drive down phos, I've done 400 gallons in the last 2 weeks. My routine amount is 50 per week though.

 

[jfl14609]

how many gal is your system

 

[Steve Canyon]

150 tank, 100 sump, 15 gallon assundry plumbing / de-nitrating coil.... About 250.

 

[naprestsleep]

Kalk feed via my auto top off. Got a salt bucket with rigid tubing going down to almost the bottom. I usually swap buckets before I get that low anyhow to prevent the pump from over heating.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

slight derailment

slight derailment

Huge is an understatement. In an effort to drive down phos, I've done 400 gallons in the last 2 weeks. My routine amount is 50 per week though.

Steve- I'm not entirely familar with your system offhand but you do know that even a slight fluctuation in salinity can release PO4 accumulated inside liverock and sandbeds, correct?
Are you able to knock down PO4 with water changes? Are you doing anything else to eliminate PO4?

As far as kalkwasser goes I don't understand why anyone wouldn't use it.
Everyone needs to topoff for evaporation and kalk is a much better choice than regular old RO water.

 

[oneradtek202]

kalk dosed as top off....and dose 2 part alk/calc daily


but i have a heavier coral load to maintain