Who here doses with Kalkwasser??

[Matrexz]

OK I'm curious who all uses and how do they use it,,,,i.e. equipment, chemicals, etc.?? What's the pro's and con's of it?? I'm thinking of setting up something to maybe start dosing my tank and would like any and all info I can.

 

[JR719]

I use it in a "dripper". I only use it at night though. My Ph will drop a large amount. The Kalk raises my Ph so that is why I drip at night. I use a Kent Doser, mix it in a 1 gallon jug and after it settles, fill up the doser.
I just let it drip, usually slow at first and adjust until I find the right rate. I think I'm around 5 to 6 drops every 10 seconds. Seems to work so far, nothing showing bad signs. Clams seem happy as do whats left of my coral.

 

[JR719]

Oh, and BTW, drip in your sump, not in the display.

 

[JohnLe712]

Same here, but i use pickling lime instead.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

I use it....usually.....

I usually drip in limewater, but lately I have been just doing more frequent water changes and only topping off with regular water. I'm working on a way to drip limewater with my new setup.

Pros: You can set the rate to match evaporation of your tank. And you can set the density to match the consumption rate of the life in the tank. It also keeps your pH a little more stable and puts Alk/Ca back in the tank at equal porportions. Pickling Lime is a very cheap alternative.

Cons: Your tank's needs might not be equal. For example, your tank may use mroe Calcium than Alkalinity. It takes time, often weeks, to get your dripping method just right to match evaporation rate and consumption rate.

 

[Matrexz]

What would be the best just dripping at night or all the time?? I have one of those hospital drippers that I was thinking of trying. Would that be ok??

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

If you are going to drip it, drip it over a 24 hour period to match your evaporation rate. It's basically an auto topoff system with limewater in it. What you have should be fine. My system was a gallon milk jug with an IV dripper stuck through the bottom of it.

 

[LotR Clown]

The main reason people drip only at night is because the pH of your system is lower at night and kalk has a high pH. That way the drip will counteract the lower pH. This is why I drip only at night to counteract the drop in pH and the lower pH caused by the calcium reactor I run.

Kevin