Kalkwasser in ATO questions

[bnagy0]

Fellow reefers,

I am using my ATO reservoir (10 gallon tank) to run kalkwasser.

My question is do I need to keep the reservoir stirring with a powerhead?

I currently fill the 10 gallon reservoir. Then, I add 10 tsp of kalkwasser. However, when I go to fill the reservoir again I notice the bottom of my reservoir has a layer of kalkwasser dust.

Is this normal?
Should I clean out my reservoir before each refill or should I just add kalk as normal?

Please advise

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[2smokes]

It is normal that the kalk will saturate the solution and settle.For top off you dont need a kalk stirrer,thats for a kalk reactor.If you have high consumption of Ca and alk and the top off with kalk dont do the job then you might consider a kalk reactor ,or dosing 2 part solution or otther alternatives.Its not necesarely to clean the kalk from the bottm every time,just add a little more fresh kalk and after 3 or 4 times you can clean the residue.

 

[ktownhero]

I believe stirring it is actually a big no no. You want the water to sit still once it is saturated.

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[Lmax8rn]

I mix 5 to 6 heaping teaspoons in a gallon jug, shake it up, let it settle completely then pour into my ATO jug which holds 6 gallons. Helps eliminate the stuff that settles in the top off.

 

[ericarenee]

the water in the top off tank will only consume x amount of kalk the remainder will settle to the bottom..
i have a 20 gallon ato tank that is about a week worth of top off water. i have a power had in the bottom of my ato tank set on a timer to run 5 minutes every morning . the tank evaporates of the evening so this gives the water plenty of time to settle.
I never clean this tank out i just watch the kalk that is settled on the bottom when it starts to appear dissipated i will add more kalk about 3-4 table spoons . this is repeated maybe 3-4 times a year... that settled kalk as far as i know is viable until its there no more ...
i think there is a sticky here somewhere about this...
Good Luck

 

[JMorris271]

Does the evaporation in the ato affect the water/kalk ratio

 

[Potatohead]

I believe stirring it is actually a big no no. You want the water to sit still once it is saturated.

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Correct.

Every time it is stirred you will introduce CO2 which will decrease the strength of the solution. Stir it once, put an airtight lid on it, and leave it alone. Some dust on the bottom is normal, keep your line an inch off the bottom so it only draws solution.

Does the evaporation in the ato affect the water/kalk ratio

It should be tightly sealed which won't have much evap. If you leave it open it will eventually form a crust on the top.

 

[jason2459]

The crust on top will protect it. The lid can be form fitting but air tight isn't necessary

I use a basic tote for my limewater

I just refill and stir with a pvc pipe for a few seconds what ever extra kalk is on the bottom which also includes what ever has precipitated out. Periodically add more kalk. Just make sure not to dose the slurry. I keep my tubing a couple inches off the bottom above that.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

 

[bnagy0]

That makes tons of sense, my biggest problem has been my ph.
I've been reading up and it seems like watching the ph is no more than a indicator of a different problem. My ph swings from 7.98-8.2. My goal is ofcourse an average 8.3. After speaking with a fellow reefer they told me to check my ALK.

My checker showed 6.87dkh. With a goal of 8-11 for good coral growth. I started the baked baking soda method fir a few days. 1 tsp morning and night. But I didn't like the sudden ph spike. I texted again and I'm at 7.17.

I tested my calcium with my checker and it is at 540 which I think is a bit high, probably from the kalk in the ato.


I switched over to reefbuilder recently and cleaned out my ATO (only fresh water now).

My only question is.. how often should I dose reef builder? I am doing 2tsp every day until I reach my target alk.

Once I get my alk up to 8-11, how often do I need to dose still? Every water change? Once every day, every other, every week, twice a month?


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