pickling lime?

Bertoni, perhaps a little off topic, but out of curiosity, could you explain (in layman's terms) why a phosphate kit wouldn't work with limewater. Is it a different type of phosphate or is there some other chemical reaction going on that makes the results invalid?

Oh, or is it this little note on the directions that says, "Erroneous results might be obtained when the carbonate hardness is higher than 20dKH"? Guess I never noticed that before.
 
Actually, they might work perfectly well (other than the one with the side note :)), but I don't have any idea how phosphate test kits work, so I'd not assume that lime won't interfere or cause problems in some way.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10018801#post10018801 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bajabum
Phospates are in the sludge. I pour the lime into a gallon milk jug, add RO and shake it up. When the liquid is clear, I pour it of and use it leaving the solids (and phospates) behind. Add more RO and go again. I use lime water to maintain a stable base Ca source since it doesn't dissapear as quick as baking soda and CaCl. I still use CaCl and baking soda on a daily bases, but lime water provides a better overall Ca stability.
Click to expand...

How much lime do you add to the milk jug? Enough for that one gallon or enough for all of your makeup water?

In other words, if you have a 20 gallon resevoir, do you add 20 teaspoons to your milk jug and let it settle or do you let it settle 20 times?
 
I beleive a full strength solution is 2 teaspoons to a gallon of water. If you have 20 gallons of water you would add 40 teaspoons. You really can't overdose because what will not disolve in the water will settle on the bottom of the container. I dripped limewater and mixed up a 40 gallon bucket all at once. I just added 2 containers of the Mrs. wages and then mixed it up. After you let it settle for 24 hours you drip the clear liquid into the tank.

I hope that makes a little more sense for you.

Regards,

Pat
 
I've got a 5 gallon salt water bucket as my auto top off resevoir. There's a powerhead inside the bucket to keep the water moving. I'm unable to take the bucket out because the refugium is in the way. So, when I'm adding my makeup water, I should add the pickling lime to the original jug that I use to transport water, let it settle and then add it to the resevoir. Sound good?
 
Also, I don't use a drip system. I let the auto top-off add the lime water as water evaporates. Will it cause a shock to the system having it added in a more rapid manner?
 
Limewater shouldn't be aerated. Aeration will cause precipitation of calcium carbonate. So mix briefly, let settle, and then use.

Large additions of limewater at a time can spike the tank's pH and cause various problems. I dose mine with a peristalitic pump for that reason.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10052884#post10052884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ramullinax
Ok, I'll turn the powerhead off in my resevoir.

What would be considered a large addition of lime water?
Click to expand...
When I add limewater to my tank, it disperses in a milky white cloud. I'd think that if you can see where its being added, then you can visually tell if it's being added too quickly b/c you'll get cloudy water. Its the rate that limewater is added is more important than how much.
 
When I add limewater to my tank, it disperses in a milky white cloud. I'd think that if you can see where its being added, then you can visually tell if it's being added too quickly b/c you'll get cloudy water. Its the rate that limewater is added is more important than how much.
Click to expand...

Since I've been adding limewater to my tank through my auto top-off I haven't seen any cloudy water in the tank.
 
You can buy peristaltic pumps like the Litermeter or Reef Doser at most online aquarium stores. I know Marine Depot has them. If you can get one used or from a medical supply store, though, you can probably save yourself a lot of money. I'm not proud of how much I paid for mine, especially since I'm not all that impressed with it. It's the Aqua Medic Reef Doser if you're curious. Not a bad doser, really, but I expected more for what I paid.
 
I'm thinking of adding lime water into my top off water, but am not getting a full understanding of this. Please help clarify. I'm currently dosing ESV 2 parts. Should I start with full (2 tsp/g) or half (1 tsp/g) strength? Thanks!
 
I'm currently dosing at 1 tsp per gallon and have been so for a week now. I may up it to 2 tsp/gallon after doing some testing of the water.
 
I actually use Randy's 2 part and I use a dosing pump. The same solution as Jonathan but at much less expense. It work's well for me.

I used to use limewater but went back to the 2 part.

Regards,

Pat
 
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