pickling lime

[jfolley67]

I was able to find the pickling lime and have done some research on using it instead of kalkwasser.....who here has tried or uses it? Someone here gave me the idea, so I know there is someone out there. I would like to know how it works, what method you use and how to prepare. thanks all! If it works well, maybe it would be a good discussion at the meeting in October...

 

[crumbletop]

It is the same as kalk powder (Calcium Hydroxide). I can't remember what saturated is since I use a kalk reactor and load it up once a month or so. I think it is something like 2 teaspoons per gallon for saturated. You just add it to some RO/DI and slowly add to your tank -- usually via topoff. If you add too much it raises your pH a ton and can be really bad for the tank. Randy Holmes-Farley has a good article on calcium and alkalinity supplementation schemes:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

 

[KAiNE]

I go through about a pound every 2 weeks.

A few links to add -

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

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2003/chem.htm

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rhf/feature/index.php

I mix up about 30g in a rubbermaid tub and constant drip via a dosing pump. I don't even measure the lime anymore, just fill up the tub and dump in the can. I only add lime every other time i fill up the tub.

I just watch my PH, when it falls I know its time to add water.

 

[TitansFan]

Hiya ..
I think i had mentioned to you the mrs wages before. Jack is correct in that it is 2 teaspoons per gallon for saturation. All I do is simply take a milk jug and add the 2 teaspoons to RO water and shake for abit. I then dump it into my auto top of container. My top off is done with the same thing you have.. the Tunze osmolator. I know it will in the long run ruin the pump per Tunze... but .. I should still get 2 years of use. A replacement pump is only $15.

The great thing about kalk/mrs wages is even if you overdoes, it will not kill the tank. It might upset some corals and spike ph ect.. but in the long run loses would be minimal. I just monitor my ph with my controller and test for my alk/calcium. I have never had a bad experience yet using it. The auto topoff takes care of adding it slowly.

Like KAiNE again I don't worry about using it too much just watch the PH.

 

[crumbletop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10672632#post10672632 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitansFan
The great thing about kalk/mrs wages is even if you overdoes, it will not kill the tank. It might upset some corals and spike ph ect.. but in the long run loses would be minimal.

This is the only part I'd caution about. Many a tank crash has been caused by too much kalkwasser being added to the tank. You can safeguard against it, but it is very possible to add too much...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=938422
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=310898

 

[jfolley67]

thank you so much, I am going to give it a try via my top off, it does seem worth the pump expense for that kind of use. Our osmolator hopefully will be set up this weekend.
I appreciate all the help....will be nice having my ph stay up in this tank better than my last one.