Mrs wages pickling lime

[aquaman183]

So I have been looking for articles about Mrs wages pickling lime, and I can't find what I'm looking for, so I'll just ask my questions here!
Is it safe to just add to my ATO?
How much do I add per gallon?
I've heard of people adding vinegar with it, what is the purpose?
What does kalk/Mrs wages pickling lime do exactly? I have heard it keeps your alkalinity and calcium stable, but what does it actually do? Without getting too far into the chemistry of it.

All insight, or referred articles of kalkwasser are appreciated!
Thank you!

 

[downbeach]

Here's a good read:

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

 

[bertoni]

That article covers a lot of ground. Kalkwasser is best dosed via a peristaltic pump, so it might not be appropriate for your ATO setup. Dosing too quickly can spike the pH. Up to 2 tsp of Kalk will dissolve per gallon, and it's a very dilute supplement, so many tanks need more calcium and alkalinity than Kalk can add.

 

[Sk8r]

I use it. I just dump it into the ATO reservoir (about 28 gallons) and can leave my tank for weeks safely, as long as my magnesium is high enough to hold (and it depletes very slowly.) I dont' bother with precise measurement, since only 2 tsp will dissolve per gallon. When I add more fresh water, the residue will dissolve, and keep it going. There must be some impurity, however, or maybe it's the occasional 'skin' that forms when air gets to it, because there is a residue that won't dissolve, and that all should be washed out and the barrel cleaned every few months. I don't have a peristaltic pump, just an ATO operating on a pressure tube that switches on a pump (Eheim) at need to jet a few tablespoons of kalked fresh water into the tank to make up evaporation. I used to use Maxijets, but they've gotten too fragile to stand up: the impellers break. The Eheim is a horse, and seems unkillable.

 

[disc1]

because there is a residue that won't dissolve,

CO2 gets to it and creates calcium carbonate in small amounts which is insoluble.

 

[joshbrookkate]

I am running a Tunze ATO with a freshwater reservoir at this time. It is not a constant drip, but comes on periodically.
If I add kalk to the fresh water, how do I know ithat the ATO pump isn't putting too much kalkwater in all at once? The above article says that 1.5% of kalkwater at one time would raise the ph too fast. Do I need to add a dosing pump?

 

[aquaman183]

Well I read the article, it sounds like it costly raises your ph a little bit at a time, and maintains your alkalinity/calcium..
Is it essential to be using limewater/kalkwasser?
All I have in my aquarium besides a skimmer is a reactor running GFO and all my readings seem to be pretty stable. I just added some corals though, so I'm not sure if I'll need to start messing with my calcium or not.

 

[outy]

Kalkwasser is best dosed via a peristaltic pump, so it might not be appropriate for your ATO setup.

peristaltic pump may be my next addition for this reason.

Adding a kalk stirrer, to my calcium reactor. It was the best addition to my equipment in years. I wish I would have done this a long time ago.


Used with a aqualifter and autotopoff switch to 2 floats, its never able to spike my PH out of whack. And sump level always perfect.


Always enjoy your excellent advise

 

[Mrs. Music]

I use it. I just dump it into the ATO reservoir (about 28 gallons) and can leave my tank for weeks safely, as long as my magnesium is high enough to hold (and it depletes very slowly.) I dont' bother with precise measurement, since only 2 tsp will dissolve per gallon. When I add more fresh water, the residue will dissolve, and keep it going. There must be some impurity, however, or maybe it's the occasional 'skin' that forms when air gets to it, because there is a residue that won't dissolve, and that all should be washed out and the barrel cleaned every few months. I don't have a peristaltic pump, just an ATO operating on a pressure tube that switches on a pump (Eheim) at need to jet a few tablespoons of kalked fresh water into the tank to make up evaporation. I used to use Maxijets, but they've gotten too fragile to stand up: the impellers break. The Eheim is a horse, and seems unkillable.

Me too! I follow that same practice, but I use a five gallon bucket, and I measure the kalk. I just switched out to the Eheim 1046 (that my favorite LFS sold me for a great price) because I kept having to replace the MJ. I have used an ATO for about 4 years now, and love it.

 

[joshbrookkate]

That article covers a lot of ground. Kalkwasser is best dosed via a peristaltic pump, so it might not be appropriate for your ATO setup. Dosing too quickly can spike the pH. Up to 2 tsp of Kalk will dissolve per gallon, and it's a very dilute supplement, so many tanks need more calcium and alkalinity than Kalk can add.

I have a BRS 1.1 dosing pump. Would that work? If so, I could use some advice on how to set that up.
Would I add the kalk to the ATO reservoir and switch over from the Tunze ATO pump to the doser? I have no idea how I would do this.
Or would I set up a separate dosing system? I can check out videos on how to do that. But how do I know how much to dose?

Thanks so much for helping! Michelle

 

[Coelli]

I am running a Tunze ATO with a freshwater reservoir at this time. It is not a constant drip, but comes on periodically.
If I add kalk to the fresh water, how do I know ithat the ATO pump isn't putting too much kalkwater in all at once? The above article says that 1.5% of kalkwater at one time would raise the ph too fast. Do I need to add a dosing pump?

How big is your system? 1.5% is a lot if you think about it. I also use a Tunze (Nano, though). I use fully saturated kalkwasser; like many here I don't measure, I just add a bunch and stir when refilling the reservoir. My Apex is set up to only turn the ATO on every 15 minutes for up to 15 seconds though it never runs more than a few seconds. This spreads the kalk addition out evenly and is a little insurance against malfunction.

If you have a controller with a pH probe you can have it shut down the ATO and alert you if the pH gets too high (indicating too much kalk is being added for some reason).

 

[downbeach]

I used a Tunze Osmolator for top off with fully saturated kalk for a long time, but had a high flow ~ 1400gph going through the sump. When I decided to start dosing two part I used the 1.1 ml/min. BRS pumps for the Ca and alk, and switched to a 50 ml/min. BRS pump for the kalk, leaving the Tunze ATO for plain RO/DI water.

 

[joshbrookkate]

How big is your system? 1.5% is a lot if you think about it. I also use a Tunze (Nano, though). I use fully saturated kalkwasser; like many here I don't measure, I just add a bunch and stir when refilling the reservoir. My Apex is set up to only turn the ATO on every 15 minutes for up to 15 seconds though it never runs more than a few seconds. This spreads the kalk addition out evenly and is a little insurance against malfunction.

If you have a controller with a pH probe you can have it shut down the ATO and alert you if the pH gets too high (indicating too much kalk is being added for some reason).

Great advice! Thanks!
My tank is a 75g. I have an Apex but haven't hooked the ATO into it yet. I like your schedule for ATO. I may try that.
Michelle

 

[joshbrookkate]

I used a Tunze Osmolator for top off with fully saturated kalk for a long time, but had a high flow ~ 1400gph going through the sump. When I decided to start dosing two part I used the 1.1 ml/min. BRS pumps for the Ca and alk, and switched to a 50 ml/min. BRS pump for the kalk, leaving the Tunze ATO for plain RO/DI water.

This will be my "fallback position" if the Apex setup doesn't do it for me. I am really slow at getting things hooked up to the Apex. Such a (wonderful) learning curve understanding the chemistry and mechanics of the tank as well as the programming to Apex. Loving it all, just slow.
Thanks for the advice.
Michelle

 

[aquaman183]

Well I read the article, it sounds like it costly raises your ph a little bit at a time, and maintains your alkalinity/calcium..
Is it essential to be using limewater/kalkwasser?
All I have in my aquarium besides a skimmer is a reactor running GFO and all my readings seem to be pretty stable. I just added some corals though, so I'm not sure if I'll need to start messing with my calcium or not.

Anyone want to respond to my question? Lol.

 

[joshbrookkate]

Gee, I DID hijack your thread, didn't I?
Sorry.
Michelle

 

[Mrs. Music]

Still lots of good info for everyone.

 

[C.Eymann]

How big is your system? 1.5% is a lot if you think about it. I also use a Tunze (Nano, though). I use fully saturated kalkwasser; like many here I don't measure, I just add a bunch and stir when refilling the reservoir. My Apex is set up to only turn the ATO on every 15 minutes for up to 15 seconds though it never runs more than a few seconds. This spreads the kalk addition out evenly and is a little insurance against malfunction.

If you have a controller with a pH probe you can have it shut down the ATO and alert you if the pH gets too high (indicating too much kalk is being added for some reason).

exactly I use a TUNZE Osmolator with a kalk reactor inline, the tunze adds maybe 1/2 a cup of water at a time, not going to be a problem with fully saturated kalkwasser

 

[aquaman183]

Gee, I DID hijack your thread, didn't I?
Sorry.
Michelle

No worries, lol.

 

[bertoni]

Anyone want to respond to my question? Lol.

There are a lot of responses here.

Limewater adds calcium and alkalinity in the ratio that corals consume them. It also raises pH, which can help a lot of tanks. Generally, it's a very dilute supplement, and it tends to be self-regulating, by which I mean that overdosing and raising the alkalinity and calcium levels generally doesn't happen, at least not quickly, because the higher pH also encourages growth.

That said, eventually, limewater can spike the alkalinity and calcium to unacceptable levels. More often, though, tanks don't have enough evaporation to allow limewater to keep up with demand. Limewater is cheap, though, and often inexpensive to try. It's not necessary to use it, by any means.

A 2-part is an easy way to get started with calcium and alkalinity supplementation if testing reveals that the tank needs supplements. Most tanks do eventually need daily calcium and alkalinity supplementation. Testing alkalinity regularly is the easiest way to check on the situation. There's much less alkalinity in ocean water compared to calcium, in terms of calcium carbonate, so calcium kits generally lack the resolution and precision needed.