Kalk Dosing

[txg8gxp]

I picked up a dosing pump and will start dosing kalk over several hours each night. I do have a kalk reactor inline on my ATO, but my evaporation is so low it is not helping anything. I wanted to start this thread to keep track of my ca/alk/pH levels over the next couple of weeks, and to mention any observations I notice aswell. My plan is to try to maintain my ca/alk levels while increasing my pH at the same time. I will post updated ca/alk/pH levels every day or every other day. As it sits now my levels are alittle off, so the first several days I will continue the use of esv 2 part until I have reached the levels I'm happy with. Once I have obtained the levels I want, I plan to stop using 2 part and see how long I can maintain the levels using only kalk. Any advice or question are more then welcome. For starters I will be using a Ross Patrol external dosing pump http://www.mtrhealth.com/product.aspx?pid=337 and bulkreefsupply kalkwasser http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/kalkwasser-calcium-hydroxide/1-gallon-bulk-kalkwasser-calcium-hydroxide-for-aquariums.html. I will update this thread with my current levels tonight before my first kalk dose. Test kits are salifert ca/alk and API pH.

[BSJF]

If you aren't evaporating enough for the kalk reactor/ATO, how are you dealing with the extra water that you get from dosing with the pump?

[txg8gxp]

That's a good question. Dosing will only be small amounts( I think, only time and testing will tell) My opinion on the subject is that it will be much easier to maintain a certain saturation level with premixed Kalk then It will be with a kalk reactor. With new water always being added to a reactor there are too many variable in how often/how long to mix the reactor. With that thinking, the top off water will always have different amounts of saturated kalk in it. So dosing premixed kalk will allow for a more consistent addition of kalk. The more kalk I have to dose will just mean that the ATO will turn on less. I plan to add the kalk very slow, over a 10-12 hour period every night. So the ATO will probably only be used during the day a few times when needed. This is a new adventure for me, so honestly I don't know all the details. When I say the reactor/ATO wasn't keeping up, that maybe only from how often I allow it to mix. But every time you allow it to mix you have to shut down your ATO for 30-60 minutes. Doing that several times a day can then cause a ATO pump to run for a long period of time, or depending on the pump add to much kalk too fast.

If you aren't evaporating enough for the kalk reactor/ATO, how are you dealing with the extra water that you get from dosing with the pump?

[Europhyllia]

adding the premixed kalk based on RKL readings (at night) has worked out well for me. I have a separate ATO as well. I think it will work fine.

[ErikH]

Use the slurry method... :)

[txg8gxp]

If demands are that high, there is also the method of adding vinegar to the mix to allow for more kalk to because saturated into the ro water and to slightly lower pH.

Use the slurry method... :)

[txg8gxp]

First test. Looks like I needed to be adding alittle more 2 part
12-16
Ca-365
Alk-7.5-7.6
Mag-1215
pH-8.0-8.1

All tests done with salifert test kits. What I'm looking for is ca-410-430, alk-8-9, mag 1250-1290, pH 8.1-8.4

[stoneroller]

Do you have any fans on the sump or tank? If so direct them at the water surface to cause more evaporation. If not add one and run it continually. Prepping for my kalk-rx delivery this weekend...

[txg8gxp]

I used to have a fan on my tank and that helped w/ evap alot. I don't have one anymore, but may think about adding one soon.

Do you have any fans on the sump or tank? If so direct them at the water surface to cause more evaporation. If not add one and run it continually. Prepping for my kalk-rx delivery this weekend...

[txg8gxp]

12-18 morning test. Two nights and I have only dosed 200mL of Kalk each night, probably will need tons more. I haven't noticed any increase in pH at all. I have added extra ca/alk/mag over the last three days to raise the levels back up. It must take alot of mag additive to make adjustments, or the kent tech M I have is weak stuff. I have added 120mL of mag in the last two days(1mL per gallon they recommend per day), 40mL of ESV alk and 60mL or ESV ca on my 57g tank.
Ca- 405
Alk- 8.9-9
Mag- 1230
pH- 7.9-8.0
With adding 200mL of kalk over a 10 hour period at night and still not seeing any rise in pH I may just dose up to 300-400 tonight and see what happens. I'm happy with the alk now, I want alittle more ca and mag.

[BSJF]

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

To raise mag from 1230 to 1350 it would take about 1-1/2 cups for 60 gallons. Use this calculator to be more exact for your tank.