<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8069801#post8069801 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
I've never been able to figure out Kalk. I know an overdose can be disastrous. I'd be delighted to use it if I could figure it.
In reality is not as complicated:
1. Prepare the mix: Take 1 gall RO/DI or distilled water, add 2 teaspoons of Kalk powder, shake or mix vigorously and let settle.
2. Once settled drip the clear milky liquid into a high flow area of the sump or tank, the slower the drip the better.
3. Monitor PH, if it starts rising more than 0.2 slow down the dripping even more.
That is all there is to it.
Now having said that, the complications start when we try to determine how much volume to use and to tie that volume to the daily consumption but not even that is difficult (If you have the right teacher that is
). Lets see:
A) Determine the volume to add:
Use the chemistry calculator to determine how much Alkalinity your buffer is adding to your tank and then how much Kalk volume you need to add the same alkalinity. To do this enter your system volume, Enter as actual alkalinity of 6 dKh (Any number will do, as we are interested in the increase.) Enter as desired alkalinity any number larger than 6 (say 7) Select your supplement and calculate. Take a look at the amount required. Is the amount required more or less than the amount you use? If it is more then change desired level to use 6.5 instead of 7 calculate and compare the amount again. Keep on changing the desired level until your calculated amount matches the amount you use every day. The difference between the desired amount and the number you have as actual (6 dKh) is your daily consumption.
Now that the consumption is already entered, select as supplement Saturated Limewater (Kalk) as the supplement. The calculator will tell you how much volume of Kalk you need to replace the amount of the buffer you are using.
Alternatively to this method which rely in the known amount of buffer you can actually measure your alkalinity consumption. To do this test for alkalinity. Wait 48 hours without adding any buffer and test again at 48 hours. Divide the difference by two and that is your daily consumption. Use the calculator to tell you how much volume of Kalk to use for that consumption. To do this enter your system volume, enter as actual alkalinity the value of your first test. In the desired alkalinity enter the value of your first test plus your consumption, select Limewater as the supplement and that's it. You get the required volume of Kalk to add every day to replace that consumption.
B) Determine if Kalk can be used to replace evaporation:
It will be very simple if your volume of evaporation matches your required volume of Kalk, if it does then that's it just add the Kalk instead of Top Off.
Now lets see what to do if it does not match:
1) Evaporation volume is more than the volume required of Kalk:
Simple... Add the volume of Kalk and add RO/DI top off volume equal to the evaporation less the volume of Kalk. If you have an auto top off just drip the required Kalk and the top off will automatically top off less RO/DI water.
IMO is more difficult to do but alternatively prepare a less than saturated solution of Kalk by adding less than two teaspoons per gallon. Determine by trial and error how much less Kalk to use until your volume of less than saturated lime matches your evaporation.
2) Evaporation volume is less than the volume required of Kalk:
Easy too, just add all the evaporation volume with Kalk. In this case because you are reducing the amount of Kalk needed your Calcium and Alkalinity will slowly decrease so you will need to manually add a two part additive to make up for the difference.
I hope this explanation helps to clarify the mysteries of Kalk addition
