Kalkwasser and MP10

[Joeb1983]

Posted here for more eyes:

I run Kalk on my other tanks, and I do the usual premix, settle out, then fill my ATO reservoir and it does its thing.

On my new build I'm using a 16 gal poly tank for my ATO.

I would premix 5 gal at a time and add as I usually do after settle out.

Anyways, I have an extra MP10 and it crossed my mind to throw it in the 16 gal poly tank and run constantly (placed towards the bottom)

Bad idea? Good idea? No point?

I see people use power heads to mix it, but nothing beyond that.

Just wondering...

Let me know what you think.

 

[Joeb1983]

It is best to mix it and then let it settle, rather than do any more mixing. Undesirable impurities can settle out.

Limewater is good for weeks if it isn't stirred and is reasonably covered. This article covers the issue:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rhf/feature/index.php

Think I found my answer... Thoughts?

 

[morpheas]

I am by no means an expert but my gut tells me you'd want to dose a solution rather than a "slurry" or cloudy mix that will settle in your tank anyway. Plus you'd probably have to clean/maintain your pump much more frequently...

 

[Joeb1983]

Yeah, my thought was seeing how I let it settle out before hand, fill the "clean" water and leave the "fall out" it would just keep it circulated.

I still do have white on the bottom of my ATO reservoir however...


Makes sense in my head. Lol! Like keeping it mixed for a even dose.

 

[homer1475]

I mix 1 tsp of kalkwasser to a gallon of RO/DI in a fairly air tight container. I mix 5 gallons at a time and use it for my ATO. This 5 gallons usually last about a week, and after the first stir it never moves for that week. I rarely have anything precipitating out, or settling on the bottom of my containers.

If it were me, I would mix it up and leave it be. Maybe every other fill just clean out the precip at the bottom, or just keep filling with plain RO/DI until the precip is gone and you can mix a fresh batch.

 

[RocketEngineer]

I still do have white on the bottom of my ATO reservoir however...

You're going to have this no matter what. The kalk is going to react with CO2 in the air and form calcium carbonate that precipitates out. Constantly mixing will just make this worse.

 

[Joeb1983]

Copy that. Keep doing what I've been doing. :thumbsup:

 

[uncleL]

I normally add a cup of vinegar to my premix that goes in my 5-gallon ATO. It turns into a little milky but I've never had a problem, cuts down on the residue.

 

[Joeb1983]

I normally add a cup of vinegar to my premix that goes in my 5-gallon ATO. It turns into a little milky but I've never had a problem, cuts down on the residue.

^ Interesting... Looked into it and found this:

" Vinegar does have a reducing effect on tank pH for shorter periods of time. Adding vinegar to kalk water will still have a high pH increasing effect on tank water. Therefore this is a good method to add vinegar when one is dosing kalk water to offset any reducing effect that vinegar may have. Keep in mind that when one adds vinegar to kalk water it will increase the alkalinity and calcium output when one adds more than two teaspoons (saturation point of kalk water) to 1 gallon of RODI water. For example if you add 3 teaspoons of kalk to 1 gallon of RODI water and also add 45mL of vinegar, it will increase your alkalinity and calcium output by around 1/3 - 1/2 more. "