What are ya'll doing for Calcium

[btacker]

It seems like the most popular approach is to use kalk.

I've read a lot about adding kalk in various ways. I was wondering what ya'll are doing and what equipment you are using?

Is anyone using a kalk reactor ( Nilsen reactor )?
How did you set it up?
Is it your auto top off?

I have read about everything from using a 45 gallon trash can to an auto top off using a Nilsen reactor.

It seems like there are a lot of failure points that can flood the tank with kalk or flood the house.

[dow]

I use it in my top off water (gallon milk jug w/ DI water and kalk) and let it siphon into my overflow throuth aquarium airline tubing. Not very flashy, not very hi-tech, but it works great.

[btacker]

Good article on still containers of limewater


http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rhf/feature/index.htm

[georgeortiz]

I am using a two part DIY solution that has been working great. I have plenty of growth from my sps and softies and alot of coraline algae growth since I have been using it.

[StephenA]

I ended up getting a CA reactor. Dripping Kalk just didn't keep up.

[btacker]

How were you dripping kalk? A gallon here and there or was all your make up water kalk water?

Did you try vinegar?

[StephenA]

I kept a gallon of kalk with vinegar dripping in my tank every night

[btacker]

Any one else doing anything?

[R_S_C]

i've been running a calcium reactor for about 6 months on mine. seen huge growths.

[Tim Marvin]

I use a tunze Kalk reactor on one tank and a 5 gallon jug with a peristaltic pump on another. I keep calcium above 400ppm with tons of corals, and acropora. IMO kalk is the only way to go. Calcium reactors are too much hassle.

[ratboy]

Kalk reactor w. peristaltic pump. It binds phosphates, buffers the pH at night when I dose, adds Ca and replaces my evaporated water.

[GaryP]

I'm using DowFlake in my make-up water.

Gary

[StephenA]

Calcium reactors are too much hassle.


I've found it much better than mixing up kalk. I just fill it up, set the bubble count and let it run. No need to adjust or changing anything. The only thing I hate is have the CO2 replaced. I think the 2nd chamber makes it more stable.