who uses kalkwasser

[schneidergarret]

im just wondering if anyone uses kalkwasser in there nano cubes i have a 24 gallon nanocube and wondering if anyone does it before i try are there any problems with doing this or is it all positive?

 

[6Speed]

I do. no problems that I've encountered as long as you dont add it too fast. I use it in my top off water and it is added so slowly that there's no issue with ph spike.

 

[schneidergarret]

alright thanks 6speed but did you see a difference in coral growth once you added the kalkwasser? this is my first time using kalkwasser too but im kinda scared and dont want to fry the tank or anytihng you know

 

[6Speed]

I don't know for sure because I got everything as frags and began dosing kalk through top off soon there after - so I don't have anything to compare from before. A lot of folks use kalk and water changes as their only means to replenish calcium and alkalinity.

I would recommend watching the brs videos on YouTube about kalk and 2 part. also watch other videos about kalk.

you won't fry anything as long a you don't add it too fast.

I just put two table spoons kalk in a milk jug and add ro water...shake it up, let it settle then dump the solution into my top off reservoir. it gets added to the tank whenever my float switch drops and kicks on the pump.

some people mix it up in a coke bottle and let it drip over night. search for DIY kalk dispenser.

 

[schneidergarret]

yeah i have been researching it all day and am about to bite the bullet just want to make sure nothing goes wrong thanks for all the advice 6speed.

 

[scubasamdo]

I use it in the ATO for my solana. No problems

 

[consumed corals]

make yourself a little kalk doser out of a 20oz botttle. use a jg fitting on the cap and put a small airline valve to adjust driprate and a check valve on the bottom for air to get in and not create a vaccum. and use about a 1/2 teaspoon of kalk powder every other day for a couple of weeks, it is best to add in the evening if you don't have an ATO.
you should deffinetly see some difference in growth.

 

[schneidergarret]

i have another question is there any way to convert the way of making kalkwasser i want to only make a 1 liter instead of a gallon which is like the universal on all the stuff ive been reading can someone help me out

 

[6Speed]

1/2 teaspoon per liter is fine.

 

[schneidergarret]

so i am finally done and remember this is the first time for kalk i am dripping a drop about ever 1.5 to 2 seconds is this good or is it too much thanks again for all the help

 

[bobssecrtsn]

are you monitoring your ph?

 

[marlinman86]

joes juice works just fine too, i sused it for couple and never seen any again due to my peppermint shrimp

 

[schneidergarret]

yes

yes

i am monitoring my ph i am going to when i get home from work today which should be a short day hopefully around 9 my ph was low to begin with that is another reason why i am doing the kalkwasser. and i am doing the kalk for increase calcium and raise the ph not for apitiasia

 

[schneidergarret]

so how much kalkwasser should i be doing i am seeing that the kalkwasser should replace all the water evaporation with kalk to me that seems a bit much i need some more help please

 

[csammis]

I use saturated kalkwasser as the only water in my ATO. No ill effects, all my corals are perfectly happy, coraline growth is speeding up, and pH is stable. I go through a little less than a gallon a week in my 14g tank.

pH stability over time, KH, and calcium measurements are the only way to judge if you're adding too much or not enough. Your tank and the chemistry will tell you.

 

[6Speed]

all my evap is replaced with kalkwasser. how much evaporation are you getting. you should b fine unless you're replacing a gallon per day or something crazy like that for a 24g tank.

 

[schneidergarret]

i am replacing maybe a gallon every three days or so but i dont exactly know how much ive never measured it exactly

 

[csammis]

This article thoroughly explains the effects of kalkwasser dosing: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

 

[schneidergarret]

if all your evaporated water is replaced by kalkwasser then wouldnt eventually it would all be kalkwasser? this is for you six speed i am figuring this out as much as possible thanks again everyone

 

[csammis]

The salt and other trace elements in your seawater don't evaporate. You can think of it like this: the freshwater in your tank gets "consumed" (by evaporation) over time. The minerals found in kalkwasser also get consumed over time by skeletal corals and coraline algae and such. Both the freshwater and those minerals need to be replaced. A topoff with kalkwasser does both of those things. A topoff with freshwater only and regular water changes accomplishes the same basic goal*

Now if you took out a cup of seawater and replaced it with a cup of kalkwasser, then yes that would be a problem


* regular water changes with newly mixed seawater replenish a lot more trace elements than what's found in kalk and those other elements do get consumed by the critters living in your environment. Kalkwater dosing alone isn't a replacement for water changes in a small tank. In addition to the constant addition of kalkwasser via ATO I also replace about 3-4 gallons a week in my 14g.