Kalk and Alk and Calc???

[squibley2]

I have been dripping Kalk for a month or so and I can't seem to get my Alk and Calc up to where I want them to be. I have been using 5cc of Kalk and 15ml of white vinegar to dissolve the Kalk and then diluting to 6cups of RO and dripping over night and the Calc and Alk have pretty much stayed the same am I doing something wrong? I know this is a newbie question but I have never had this problem before in 2 years of keeping tanks. Any help would be appreciated!!!

 

[NewSchool04]

You have to get your Ca and Alk to where you want it before you start dripping Kalk. Kalk will maintain your levels in most cases but will not raise them. Use baking soda for Alk and Turbo Calc or Prestone Driveway heat for the Calcium to get your levels where you want.

I have no idea how you are figuring out your Kalk drip and using vinegar is not really recommended. Usually you use 1 - 2 tsp of Kalk per gallon, mix and let sit for a couple of hours and drip. Try out a Kent dripper, they are allright and come in 2.5 and 5 gallon or get yourself a dosing pump and you can regulate it.
The most important thing is you need to get your Alk and Ca to the level you are looking to sustain before dripping the Kalk.

 

[NewSchool04]

This is a great easy calculator to use and don't forget to check out the Chemistry forum and the articles on Ca, Alk, and Kalk. Print them out, IMO they are key to success in this hobby. Good luck!

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[squibley2]

I started using vinegar after several people recomended it and after I reading this.
http://www.livingreefs.com/forums/s...-kalwasser-how-dose.html?highlight=kalkwasser

 

[NewSchool04]

I'm not familiar with that author and I don't agree with some of his facts. I'm not going to go through his article and point out things but I would encourage you to go to the Chemistry Forum and read up on the articles Randy Holmes Farley has posted in the stickies and look and read some of the questions and answers in the actual thread.
I think you'll get a better understanding of kalk and how Alk and Ca are used in a reef.