Kalk?

[Queen Diva]

Howdy reef junkies,

Can some one explain to me what a kale is, I read a lot about it and not quite sure what or how to use it? I have a new tank up and running a short over 3 months and all basic parameters are perfect. I have added a couple frags of scrolling montipora's and would love to continue on to a mixed reef setup. So again how important is this "Kalk" everyone talks about?

Any help would be highly appreciated
Thanks

 

[thepotoo]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_6/volume_6_2/kalkwasser.htm

 

[RocketEngineer]

Kalk is short for Kalkwasser which is calcium oxide (quicklime) added to RODI water to form hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide).

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/

It is one method of adding both calcium and alkalinity to the tank, typically as part of the top off water.

 

[JohnnyHildo]

Kalk is short for Kalkwasser which is calcium oxide (quicklime) added to RODI water to form hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide).

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/

It is one method of adding both calcium and alkalinity to the tank, typically as part of the top off water.

it should be noted that while it adds calcium and alkalinity (helps maintain ph drops at night as well) there is a limitation to it.
if you have a large system or lot of coral, especially sps; the kalk will have a tough time keeping up with the demands. in my system i dose kalk via tunze's ato and kalkweisser vessel but am actively fighting to keep my alkalinity up and am forced to look to a dosing pump to keep everything stable.

 

[sixpackgarage]

it's basically an old school method of dosing alk, ca and increasing pH all in one. I use it and my acros really like it. I do also dose a small amount of ca and alk separately via my automatic dosing pump because my kalk reactor is hooked up to my ATO, so dosing is completely dependent on evaporation rate.

 

[CStrickland]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/

+1

 

[Queen Diva]

Thanks everyone,
All information provided is overwhelming. Is their simpler ways of controlling CA? As to date I only have two montipora's and one Acro and one cats paw, two branching gorgonians. Any help appreciated.

 

[fishinthewall]

Kalk is the "simplest" way in terms of cost, and required knowledge. Dosing is next buy will require a bit of setup and tuning, along with a ton of testing. Al calcium reactor is the most expensive initially and requires a bit if tweaking. Check out the bulk reef supply brs160 video series. They cover a ton of information. They have a dedicated video on all three of these along with a few covering basic chemistry of ca/ak/mg

Its also good to note that it is very system dependant and some is replaced with water changes.

 

[Sk8r]

All you have to do to use it---first set your parameters at 420 calcium, 8.3 alk, 1350 mag, and keep it steady while you get a package of kalk: I use Mrs Wages Pickling Lime. Dump 2 tsp kalk powder per gallon of ro/di into your ATO reservoir. Stir it once (that's all, ever) and put a lid on it so it won't develop a crust. (Saran wrap with a tiny hole will work fine. Let evaporation causing topoff deliver the dose. ONLY 2 tsp per gallon CAN dissolve in ro/di, and more will dissolve as you add more ro/di. Magic. I can keep my tank going on a 32 gallon Brute trashcan full of ro/di/kalk while I leave town for a month. The corals eat, the fish forage and have an autofeeder with pellet; life is good.

 

[roostertech]

BRS has a good video on this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSsdxuWY0T8

Another video from R2R
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwWORpA5r3Y