Kalkwasser Mix Question?

Raiderwig

New member
Hello all,

I've decided to add Kalkwasser mix to my routine. Never used it before and have read that it promotes calcareous algaes and other benifits as well.
I have mixed it in a 5 gallon water jug that I use for adding top off water to replace water that evaporates. I add the water manually every day at about 1/2 a gallon a day. ( I don't have any fancy drip set up or anything like that.)
I noticed that a setiment forms on the bottom of the jug which I read was normal and that the water above it is what you want to add.
I wanted to know if I need to stir up the water every time (it becomes cloudy when I do this) or just leave it alone and just pour out the 1/2 gallon I need to add to the tank?
It also say's to add the Kalk water slowly to the tank.......How slowly do they mean? I usally just pour the 1/2 gallon of replacement water into the tank to bring it back to the right level.
thanks:confused:
 
I think if you add that much Kalk water all at once you might have problems. Kalk water will also change the ALk. level in the water, so if you pour it all in at once you might spike it. As for stiring it you shouldnt need to. The goal is to top off the tank with the clear kalk water.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7065212#post7065212 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
I think if you add that much Kalk water all at once you might have problems. Kalk water will also change the ALk. level in the water, so if you pour it all in at once you might spike it. As for stiring it you shouldnt need to. The goal is to top off the tank with the clear kalk water.

Ok so it's the clear water I want then...(thx) Now what if I added my 1/2 gallon of water over the course of 1 hr. Say I added some water every 15 minutes? would that be ok? Or do I need to go slower? I usally add the top off water at night before bed.
thanks.
 
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

That article goes into a lot of details.

You need to stir the limewater when you add more fresh water or add lime. Otherwise, it stays usable for quite a while.

The safest way to add lime is to drip it. An IV type drip or a peristaltic pump work well. The pH of limewater can be up to 12.45 or so, which makes dumping a lot into a tank a bit iffy.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7065277#post7065277 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bertoni
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

That article goes into a lot of details.

You need to stir the limewater when you add more fresh water or add lime. Otherwise, it stays usable for quite a while.

The safest way to add lime is to drip it. An IV type drip or a peristaltic pump work well. The pH of limewater can be up to 12.45 or so, which makes dumping a lot into a tank a bit iffy.

Great info in the link above:D ...thank you. I will have to figure a delivery system that introduces it at a slower rate I see.....
thanks again
 
I have heard of several peope that use old plastic milk containers to drip kalk. they mix the kalk in the milk jug and let it sit overnight. Then they put a pinhole in the container about an inch off the bottom and let it drain into the tank that way. I drip using an aquadoser but I am thinking about switching to Randy's 2 part dosing plan.
 
Since you already know how much you are going to use you could set up a drip method. Buy a sturdy gallon size container for your mix. Go to Walgreens or some place like that and buy an IV line (I think you can get one there). Attach your IV line to the bottom of the container you bought, seal it and then use fresh water to test what your drip rate should be so it equals 1/2 gal. a day. If you dont want the hassel of making one most lfs can sell you one that Kent makes. Instead of just pouring in your 1/2g. everyday in to the tank just pour it in to you doseing container and let it take care of it through out the day.
 
Hello all,

Just wanted to give you a update on what I did. It's been a week now and I couldn't be happier:D
After reading the link above that bertoni provided (thanks again)
I followed the DIY method in the link and it works great!
I set up a IV drip using a water container I bought from the grocery store ( 4 litres) and bought my tubing and airline valve from my LFS and presto.....awsome kalk drip and topoff water replacement at the same time.
I mixed a 5 gallon water jug of kalk for the week and I'm set!!
Just fill up my IV container in the morning before work and I'm good to go!!
I Drip almost 1 gallon a day into my tank now for replacement water.
I can't believe the growth of calcareous alage on my LR in only 1 week of dosing... :eek:
Thanks again to you all.
Aaron
 
Sudden confusion on my part...

If I mention Calcareous Algae and Coralline Algae in the same sentence....I'm I refering to the same Algae????

thanks
 
Coralline algae are all calcareous, but not all calcareous algae are coralline. Halimeda is an example of a macroalga that is calcareous.
 
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