Kalkwasser questions

[kikireef]

I am interested in using Kalkwasser until I get all the equipment I need for my Calcium reactor set up. I am new to this hobby and have many questions regarding kalkwasser. First off my params are as follows:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20 ppm
Phosphate almost undetectable
Calcium: 480
Alkalinity I think around 2.8 (my current test is not very accurate)
PH: Has been 8.2 but this morning tested at 8.0.

I only have an anemone in my tank but am getting many corals tomorrow. I know that corals will utilize the calcium and alkalinity in the tank.

1. Should I not start dosing until my calcium and alkalinity start to drop?

2. Should I do anything to raise alkalinity before dosing kalkwasser?

3. My evaporation is about 1 gallon a day. Is this too much kalkwasser to dose per day?

4. Should I only dose at night? I heard only at night and others say 24/7

5. I don't have an RO/DI filter yet...until I get one can I mix with distilled water or should I use some other type of water? if so what type? filtered? tap?

I think those are all the questions so far. If I have more I will post.

Thanks everyone!

 

[walkthedog]

1. depends on what kind of corals you are getting tomorrow, SPS, LPS, soft, etc. Kalk does a good job of maintaining levels but not the greatest at raising levels.
2. 2.8 is about 8dkh. It should be fine.
3.1 gallon is not too much to dose. Are you going to dose thur ATO or on a drip? I dose 1.5 gallons in a 70 gallon.
4. I do 24/7 but the choose is yours. If drip then night might be a good idea, if thru ATO you will be doing it 24/7
5. yes you can add to distilled water. You might want to invest in a RO / DI. IMO it will save you a ton in the long run. But distilled is fine.

 

[Billybeau1]

You have plenty of calcium right now not to worry about that yet.

You could use a bump in alkalinity which baking soda can do for you pretty quick.

I would not worry about pH at this point just yet. As long as it is between 7.8 and 8.5, there is no concern.

1. I would just dose baking soda to keep alkalinity at an average level for now.

2. Yes, baking soda.

3. Dosing limewater to match evaporation requires a little tweaking. You can start with maybe 1 tsp per gallon and see where your numbers go. You can always move a little either way depending on the numbers.

4. Some slow drip but other just add a gallon per day, say a 1/2 gallon twice a day. It all depends on how much the pH changes after the dose.

5. You can make limewater with anything you have available, of course, ro/di is preferred.

Good luck.

 

[kikireef]

Billy,

How should I add baking soda? Just straight in? how much?
Also, will that affect my other levels at all?

 

[kikireef]

I am planning on dosing on a drip system that I am going to also make myself tomorrow. I am picking up some leather coral, frogspawn and mushrooms from a friend. All soft corals.

 

[Billybeau1]

Baking soda should be mixed in fresh water and dosed in a high flow area of the tank.

JD's Reef Chemicals Calculator lists the required amount.

Generally, you can increase alkalinity as much as you want at one time as long as you do not affect an immediate pH change of more than .2 units. Keep this in mind.

If you haven't seen the calculator yet, let us know. We'll provide you the link.

 

[kikireef]

I have not. The link would be great! Thanks billybeau1

 

[Billybeau1]

Here it is. Make sure to use actual water volume and not tank size. And make sure to read the warnings.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Bookmark it for future use. It is an amazing tool for reefers.

 

[kikireef]

Thanks again Billy. Will do

 

[Billybeau1]

:thumbsup: Good luck.