To Kalk or not to Kalk or B-Ionic?
- Thread starter 75galreef
- Start date
bosborn1
In Memoriam
I tried to build a magnetic stirrer K-reactor before didn't work that well. Check out the DIY forum they have some great plans for Nielsens that use a pump to mix. To tell you the truth once you add in the dosing pump your almost at the cost of a Calcium Reactor IMHO. I am planning on getting a Calcium reactor one of these days but for now I use Bionic. I keep a container of Kalkwasser around if I can't make it to the LFS before I run out.
I've been looking at a package deal with the Coralife Calcium reactor and there pretty cheap. I am probably going to try one of those when I have the money.
I've been looking at a package deal with the Coralife Calcium reactor and there pretty cheap. I am probably going to try one of those when I have the money.
Most people wind up doing both. The problem with kalk is that you really can't meet the needs of a heavy sps load with it excusively. It's a significantly diluted source of calcium.
What you can do is use the ph lowering diy formula and use kalk to bump your ph up.
I'm switching from kalk to diy 2 part additive because I simply couldn't get enough calcium into the tank that way. Remember kalk only adds calcium and not carbonate.
What you can do is use the ph lowering diy formula and use kalk to bump your ph up.
I'm switching from kalk to diy 2 part additive because I simply couldn't get enough calcium into the tank that way. Remember kalk only adds calcium and not carbonate.
Hmmm... Interesting.
I've been using Neilsen style kalkwasser reactors for 5 years, nary a problem, and they're incredibly cheap. I've maintained Calcium and Alkalinity this way, despite having a somewhat heavy coral load. They also take care of top-off, something you will not achieve w/ a Caclium Reactor.
Both systems have their plusses and minuses, but take what you read w/ a grain of salt.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about them.
- Mac
I've been using Neilsen style kalkwasser reactors for 5 years, nary a problem, and they're incredibly cheap. I've maintained Calcium and Alkalinity this way, despite having a somewhat heavy coral load. They also take care of top-off, something you will not achieve w/ a Caclium Reactor.
Both systems have their plusses and minuses, but take what you read w/ a grain of salt.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about them.
- Mac
LFS_worker
'ignoramus maximus'
maybe this will stop some of the confusion.
How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
Good luck.
How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
Good luck.
