Kalkwasser and ATO

[padi200]

I have been adding Kalk to my ATO for a long time. It is a 20 gallon, food quality container with a tunze osmolator pump.
I have recently heard that my Kalk is pretty degraded over time? I do keep the container closed, but there is no stirring mechanism. I add about 3 -4 tablespoons of Kalk per 5 gallons every time I add water to the container. I was under the impression that this would saturate the water with Kalk. I also add 10 ml per gallon of Vinegar to that solution.
Looking for answers about better ways to do this? I ask because my 180 mixed SPS/LPS and fish tank still requires a good amount of 2 part dosing to keep Alk and Ca at the proper levels.
Thanks for your help!

 

[Customride0105]

I don't keep my kalk covered but I go threw 5 gallon in 2 days. I don't add vinegar.
If your not being able to keep up with just kalk I'd look into a calcium reactor. I use both and keeps up with my demands. It's kind of expensive to get it up and going but set it and forget it.

 

[ericarenee]

I have been adding Kalk to my ATO for a long time. It is a 20 gallon, food quality container with a tunze osmolator pump.
I have recently heard that my Kalk is pretty degraded over time? I do keep the container closed, but there is no stirring mechanism. I add about 3 -4 tablespoons of Kalk per 5 gallons every time I add water to the container. I was under the impression that this would saturate the water with Kalk. I also add 10 ml per gallon of Vinegar to that solution.
Looking for answers about better ways to do this? I ask because my 180 mixed SPS/LPS and fish tank still requires a good amount of 2 part dosing to keep Alk and Ca at the proper levels.
Thanks for your help!

I do not know all the "Chemistry"But what you say is exactly how mine is working.. If i dose Just Kalk my calcium and alk will fall So i dose a small amount of Two part with dosing pump as well. The Kalk from what i read will only keep it stable at a xx rate depending on how much saturation happens in the water of your ato tank.... (hope i wrote that right) . So if your tank is consuming more then that saturation rate you will have to dose two part as well.......
Hope this helps . i am sure others will correct my Lack of terminology.. :beer:

ADDITION . Do not forget to keep your magnesium in check. This is Super important as well

 

[thegrun]

I haven't hear of Kalk degrading over time, where did you hear that? You will get a residue on the bottom of your reservoir which I would clean out perhaps once a year when I used to use Kalkwasser. You should keep the reservoir container covered as air-tight as possible to reduce the crust that forms.

 

[jminick2]

I add 9 tsp per 5g with no issues just kalk build up on my water level sensor but I CleaNed it and it works fine.