To kalk, or not to kalk? That is the question!!

[hoover86]

So I've been racking my brains about whether I should use kalk reactor only, or ca reactor. I've done my share of research, and I'm coming up with foggy answers to my questions.

If I go mainly SPS will the kalk keep up with my ca demands? Are there any adjustments I can make to compensate for more ca use?

I've heard from some who use kalk only but they seem to have fewer sps. I've heard some that use both, and they are primarily heavier on sps.

I'm not going to wake up one day and have a tank full of sps, but I don't want to invest in something that will eventually be pointless.

The kalk reactor is by far less expensive then a ca reactor after everything needed.

SO, what is the answer???????????

 

[MrPike]

I bought a calcium reactor first, but if I had to do it over again, I would do the kalk first. I like the high PH, and the stonies seem to like it too. With the calcium reactor only you will almost certainly battle lower then optimal PH levels.

Either way I think you will be happy.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'm not a fan of limewater reactors as opposed to dosing from a settled reservoir, but in both cases it will not likely meet all the demands of a heavy SPS tank. You may want to us limewater in addition to a CaCO3/CO2 reactor or a two part system (DIY or commercial), however, if maintaining adequate pH is otherwise difficult.

This article has more:

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

 

[hoover86]

Wow. That was a long read but lots of great information. You summed it up here, but the read was great and gives me better insite.

It seems it would be best to find someone educated on a DIY kalk system, and then purchased a ca reactor. I'm sure it will be a while before I have many sps corals, but eventually that's the direction I want to go so it seems as though both kalk and ca would be the best route.

Thanks for all the important information. This will be a great help in getting things setup!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome and good luck.