KZ Coral Snow = Chalk?
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That's an interesting idea for those who choose to use CaCo3 as a flocculant and transporter. Some of my friends use various commercial hobby grade flocculant products and seem to get improved polyp extension from their corals.
While , kalkwasser precipitates CaCO3 ; it also precipitates some impurities ;so the precipitant might not be " really pure calcium carbonate"; the purity of the precipitant depends on the purity of the calcium hydroxide(kalk) used to make the kalkwasser. I think when using the precipitant derived from food grade calcium hydroxide dosed in small amounts the amount of impurities will be very minimal, though.
This article has a good bit of detail:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2003/chem.htm
While , kalkwasser precipitates CaCO3 ; it also precipitates some impurities ;so the precipitant might not be " really pure calcium carbonate"; the purity of the precipitant depends on the purity of the calcium hydroxide(kalk) used to make the kalkwasser. I think when using the precipitant derived from food grade calcium hydroxide dosed in small amounts the amount of impurities will be very minimal, though.
This article has a good bit of detail:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2003/chem.htm
Last edited:
jason2459
Well-known member
If you removed the fully saturated limewater into another container away from what ever precipitated in the original mixing container then proceed with the above aeration wouldn't that be fairly pure as impurities had mostly already precipitated out into the mixing container ?
Yes, that would help but not all the impurities precipitate even at fully saturated limewater pH ; it would be purer but still not completely purified; so, I'd still use food grade calcium hydroxide or better.
resurrecting this post. Have you guys been using this for a while now? any long time KZ users switch and notice same or different results? Just started using the KZ method and if I can save this much cash on a product that is dosed daily I would love it. Can't say I notice a difference in my tank using the coral snow yet but I do know the KZ regimen has me taking better care of the aquarium which may be the key to success of this system. Not much is "set it and forget it" in the reef aquarium.
Dave
Dave
2smokes
In Memoriam
All KZ products are secret so you wont really know what substances you put in your tank so.It isnt food like marine snow wich is made by decaying matter.Ive heard about a reefer here that was advised to mix the coral snow wich is plain kalk with the food 
.Just expensive snake oil(kalk).
.Just expensive snake oil(kalk).Its not a food. It is a flocculant. the excess CaCO3 ions in the water attract and bind organics which then are skimmed out or mechanically removed. KZ never makes any claim that it is food. 2LF's Coral snow is a food, which I believe is where the confusion lies. I'm not saying I am a total believer in the KZ line but I have seen tanks before and after switching to KZ and the results are noticeable. Thanks for your response, but the question was not about the KZ product it was about who, if anyone is still using the DIY version.
jedimasterben
LED world domination!
KZ Coral Snow (calcium carbonate) is definitely not kalkwasser (calcium hydroxide), as even a small dry amount of kalkwasser dosed to a tank can lead to serious pH spikes.All KZ products are secret so you wont really know what substances you put in your tank so.It isnt food like marine snow wich is made by decaying matter.Ive heard about a reefer here that was advised to mix the coral snow wich is plain kalk with the food
I've been using the DIY version since this thread opened up, essentially.
I am convinced it does something. This is 1 week after dosing 1ml/25g daily. I know there is more sediment in the before picture and I should have siphoned it off, but hey its a crappy cell phone picture anyway. to the naked eye, I see no yellowing as before. I changed my carbon out 3 weeks ago.
jedimasterben
LED world domination!
Yes, what you are seeing is normal and is why this product existsBefore.After.
I am convinced it does something. This is 1 week after dosing 1ml/25g daily. I know there is more sediment in the before picture and I should have siphoned it off, but hey its a crappy cell phone picture anyway. to the naked eye, I see no yellowing as before. I changed my carbon out 3 weeks ago.
