pickling lime?

[mikecc]

Seems like nights when I drip my limewater my skimmercup fills up. (2tsp/gal ro/di water, mixed in bucket with power head for 8 hrs, settle out for 8hrs, then dripped in)

 

[ramullinax]

Do you think you're skimming precipitate?

 

[mikecc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10082062#post10082062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ramullinax
Do you think you're skimming precipitate?

I dunno, you would think it would settle out in 8 hours. The bucket does not get disturbed at all once the powerhead gets shut off. The end of the hose is 1/2 inch off bottom. I've noticed this last few times I add limewater. I have a HOT Prism. Seems to do all right otherwise. I add 5 Gal of limewater every week, as top off. Last time I added it, I turned my skimmer off for several days. I had the skimmer running for a few days pror to adding limewater this time, and my skimmer still filled. Making any sense?

 

[rick s]

Mikecc,

Are you adding any other supplements other than the limewater?

 

[mikecc]

Are you adding any other supplements other than the limewater?

Nope, that is it.

 

[mikecc]

I'm just wondering if anyone else notices an increase in skimmate while dosing limewater?

 

[bertoni]

I haven't heard of any reports along that line, but skimming is not well understood, in my opinion.

 

[madcowz]

I use Mrs. Wages in my topoff water with great results. My tank is tiny compared to most here (30G Cube) but I do have a lot of evaporation. I am running a JBJ ATO with an Aqualifter pump. I mix 3tbsp in a 5 gallon bucket of RO/DI water, let it settle and drop the hose in about 2" from the bottom. To control pH I add 90ml of distilled vinegar. My pH stays around 8.1 - 8.2 monitored with a Pinpoint. My Calc. stays steady at 430ppm and my Alk at 9dKH both with Salifert. I have been been dosing this way for 2 months now and my water is crystal clear and my corals are thriving. It couldn't get any easier.

 

[samsfishnchips]

also use Mrs. Wages with very good results,

oh and if someone needs some, go to wal mart, if you can't find it, ask a manager he/she can order it

thats what I did, and bough a case

sam

 

[ramullinax]

So is everyone dosing 2tsp per gallon?

After letting the solution settle in the container, how do you transfer the water into the auto-top off resevoir without transferring the settled precipitate?

 

[mikecc]

I am using Mrs Wages

 

[bertoni]

I use the lime mixing container for the pump input. I just tie the hose I use for pumping the lime onto an acrylic stick to elevate the input an inch or so above the bottom of the mixing container.

 

[vanceny]

I just started dosing lime for about 3 weeks. The corals seem to be growing faster then when when I dosed 2 part. I've been using it with my top off water with an aqualifter. The problem that I've been having is high pH, it ranges from 8.4 to 8.6. Since the warm weather started I added a fan which increased my evaporation, when I tested pH today it was at 8.8. I've had to add vinegar to the sump to get the pH down in the past.

I've read the articles regarding high pH and from what I understand I can add vinegar to my limewater resevoir. I've added about 45ml per gallon of water but it didnt seem to have an effect an immediate effect on the pH of the limewater. I do have extra kalk sitting on the bottom of the resevoir, could the addition of vinegar be ofset by that extra kalk?

Should I continue to add vinegar till I see the pH drop in the resevoir and at what pH should I stop adding vinegar?

More info, there is no cloudiness when the limewater is added to the sump.

Ca = 420
Alk = 8.8

I think it might be the aqualifter adding too much to quickly but I cant get a litemeter at the moment. Is there a way to adjust the flow on the aqualifter?

Thanks for any advise.

 

[bertoni]

I think 45ml is as much as I'd add. Limewater is going to have a high pH. More vinegar might start causing excessive bacterial blooms.

I don't know anything about that pump, sorry!

 

[vanceny]

When adding vinegar does it significantly lower the pH of the limewater?

I also added an air pump last night to the sump. Hopefully that will also have an effect.

 

[bertoni]

I haven't done the measurement on the effect of vinegar. More aeration is likely more effective, though.

 

[vanceny]

I just checked the pH and its down to 8.0 after lights out. I think a combination of the aeration and vinegar did the trick. I'll have to check out what happens when I mix my next batch without the vinegar. Hopefully the aeration will be enough.

 

[mikecc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10082062#post10082062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ramullinax
Do you think you're skimming precipitate?

Possibility:

The calcium rich water combines (binds) and exports phosphate a little better?

 

[bertoni]

I don't see why a bit of added calcium should help with skimming, although it's possible that calcium phosphate is being formed. The higher pH might encourage that. I don't know of any data on the subject.

 

[garyw68]

I have been thinking about using limewater. What is the advantage from using dowflakes, magflakes, and baking soda. That is what I am using and my tank is doing ok. my cal is 440, mag 1350, and alk 9.9. whould it be better to use limewater?