Kalk question and vinegar

[maestro]

Does it matter a great deal if you do not have a lid for your kalk mixture.

Its only a small container and the mixture would be dosed and renewed every 48 hours max.

Also im really confused about whether vinegar would stop the reatcion of kalk and air, in Randys article it suggests it didnt have an impact yet in this article

http://www.reefscapes.net/articles/breefcase/kalkwasser.html

It states:

"Dissolving the Kalk powder in the Vinegar first will accomplish several very good things.

First, it will get more Calcium ions (Ca++) into the solution because you are dissolving the Ca(OH)2 in an acid instead of water, and forming Calcium Acetate, which exists as a dissociated equilibrium of free Calcium ions and Acetate ions.

Second, the Acetic Acid (Vinegar) provides an equivalent of all the CO2 you need to avoid precipitating the newly-added Calcium ions as useless white Calcium Carbonate powder"

AND

"So, you've actually hit on one good reason WHY we want to add the Vinegar to the mixing container -- the Acetic Acid in the Vinegar provides the equivalent of enough CO2 to take the reaction all the way to the desired end products for which we drip Kalk -- that is, to produce free Calcium ions and free Bicarbonate ions in solution in our tanks

By using enough Vinegar, we can mix to our heart's content right in the container, and don't need to worry as much about dripping the solution slowly into the tank. We have already driven the reaction all the way to the desired outcome, and provided ample CO2 to produce a balance of free Calcium ions and free Bicarbonate ions. This, incidentally, is why Kalk is said to be "ionically balanced" - it produces a one-to-one balance between Calcium and Alkalinity.

I really am confussed

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Vinegar, at the normally recommended amount, does not stop the reaction with CO2. It you add enough to make it neutral in pH (to stop the reaction with CO2), there is too much (IMO) in terms of the tank pH lowering effect and the consumption of O2 unless the dose is medium to small. That makes it more like calcium acetate. It is OK in small amounts, but not necessarily in large amounts, especially if you want any pH raising effect from it.


Is there a reason you cannot cover it?

 

[maestro]

Purely because its an awkward shape space i have available and the only container i found to fit doesnt have a lid, Ill have to keep an eye out for one that does.

many thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Keepng excess solids on the bottom may help it remain more potent even when exposed to the air.

You're welcome and good luck.