Switching form doser to kalk

[Milfordguy]

I'm thinking about switching from my bubble magus 3 part doser over to kalk in my ATO.

I've tried my hand at SPS and I think I'm going to switch back over to primarily housing softies and zoas.

My questions:

Do I need a kalk stirrer/ reactor?

Will the kalk hold my parameters stable enough in addition to bi-weekly 25% water to keep my zoas and some LPS happy?

I'm assuming it will since my zoas and lps thrive in my tank that receives a water change about every 2-3 months.

Thanks everyone.

 

[spicytuna]

If your primary goal is just to keep zoas and lps, kalk could possibly be your long term solution. I would start off using 1 tsp per gallon of top off water. No need to stir or get a reactor.

I use a kalkrx, and imo, it's more of a pia then using just kalk in your top off.

 

[rogergolf66]

Agreed. U should be fine with kalk no need for reactor if u have a large enough top off u dont need to fill every few days

 

[Milfordguy]

Yeah I use a 5 gallon bucket. I think I'll just go ahead and try putting in a tsp per gallon like Matt suggested. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Straight_Chaos]

I run a 10gallon ATO with 8 heaping scoops of Kalk for 80 or so gallons mixed reef. Plus dosing.

I would run maybe 3 tsp for 5 gallons if you tank can go 10 days or so on 5 gallons.
If you evap more go lower just watch you alk/ph.
You just don't want hard swings cause Kalk is high ph.

Start slow, test alk/ph daily till you get an idea of consumption. Softies and zoas do not consume CA and I don't think alk either but I'm not sure.

Honestly I ran a 40 breeder with a lighter stock , mixed reef on just water changes. 15 gallons weekly. WC also full of micro nutrients people tend to neglect WC.

 

[spicytuna]

This is probably the absolute best article you can read on kalk

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

 

[Milfordguy]

Awesome, thanks guys. I was actually looking for that article Matt, I had read it a while ago but I'm sure I've forgot most of it.