New to Kalk

[chem368]

As the title states I am new to using Kalk. I think I understand how to properly does it but what to make sure I don't screw anything up.

Here is what I have for my setup (pertaining to dosing kalk)
150 Gal display
20 Gal sump
5 gal of RO/DI for ATO
JBJ ATO system with aqualifter pump.

I added roughly 1.5 -2 tspns of kalk for every gallon in my freshwater RO/DI supply, mixed until dissolved placed the feed tube for the ATO about half way down in the supply to pull clear water.

I think this is how I should set it up (as best I call tell from directions and other posts).

My question is for when I add more freshwater to my ATO supply, do I add more kalk based on how much water I add or do I not add any and just stir up the settlement on the bottom and call it good and just clean it all out monthly (per the directions) and just start over with a fresh batch?

 

[bertoni]

Some of the precipitate on the bottom might be calcium hydroxide, but if you're only adding 1.5-2 tsp per gallon, then the buildup on the bottom will be calcium carbonate, which basically is fine sand, along with some other contaminants. You'll need to add more kalk each time fresh water is added.

I'd watch the pH carefully for the first few days. I don't know much about that ATO setup, but I used a peristaltic pump to deliver kalk, since it delivers a very slow stream of drips, which helps keep from spiking the pH, and causing precipitation. This article covers a lot of ground:

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