Kalk is cheap but for ten gallons probably easier and smarter to just use a commercial supplement. Less volume will also make it easier to throw your parameters out of whack.
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Kalk is cheap but for ten gallons probably easier and smarter to just use a commercial supplement. Less volume will also make it easier to throw your parameters out of whack.
[B][SIZE=3][COLOR=Blue]In search of Answers to questions Unknown. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]
There is an easy way to make a cheap doser that works great with a small Tupperware container, airline tubing and a cheap plastic valve. I can send pics when I get home of you want.
I am about to buy a case of Mrs. Wages if anybody is interested.
It's definitely a cheaper alternative to two part dosing. In your small aquarium it's going to be very important to monitor the pH. I'd recommend getting a small pH meter and monitoring the pH when you add the Kalk. You don't want to see more than a .02 swing in pH while the Kalk is being dosed. Yes you mix the Kalk at 1-2 teaspoons per gallon of RODI water. 2 teaspoons per gallon is considered a super saturated solution. I'd suggest starting at 1 teaspoon per gallon to see how your tank reacts. You don't want to add a bunch all at once so I'd either set it up through an ATO or use a drip. This way you are spreading out the dosage throughout the day and not sending your calcium, ph, and alk levels skyrocketing all at once. Stability is the key to a successful reef tank. Spreading out the Kalk dosing will help with the stability.
I know this is an old thread but I just got my hands on one if Jasper's kalk reactors and was wondering if it would be beneficial to run and if there are any new facts about kalk I should know about.
Would anyone mind telling me how much Kalk their system consumes and a brief description of their system? In 2 weeks my system has gone from 18 to 58 ml a day and I am just not sure if that's right. I have a 90 gallon mixed reef system that is about 6 months old with lots and lots of small corals and quite a bit of coraline algae growth. I use scripps too. Trying to maintain Alk - 8.3, Calc - 410, Mag 1300. Thanks
I dose 1600ml of Kalk a day to keep my alk at 8.5dkh
Wow...ok...how big is your tank? Can I get a tank shot here or text? 612 401 6502....thanks
Tank is only 50g light stocking of Acropora right now
You are dosing an extremely small amount of kalwasser. On a 90g tank to make up for 1 dkh daily consumption, you should be dosing 3000ml of saturated limewater...
http://reef.diesyst.com/cf/alkalinitycf.html
Use this for your calculations.
Ok. It's odd though....for a good 6 to 8 weeks, I dosed 18 ml and maintained 8.3 like clockwork. I realize it was young and consuming little at the time. According to that calculator to "raise" my Alk using Kalk I need 1.2 liters. Seems like a lot, but obviously what I am doing is not keeping up...I just plan to increase and test, rinse and repeat. Thanks...good info.
Don't use kalwasser to raise your levels. Use it to maintain them. Find out what your daily consumption is and dose that much limewater over the course of the day. If you need to make adjustments you need to dose alk an ca supplements to get to your desired levels.. large doses of Kalk to raise parameters will shoot your pH levels sky high and is strongly advised against
Thought i'd update for other newbies like myself. It took about a month, but I finally stablized it at 8.1 Alk with 1700 ml of Kalk ( 1 gallon RODI / 45 ml Vinegar / 7 grams Mrs Wages). The kalkwasser calculator (http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html) is good, but I remember reading that it does not work as well when you use vinegar. I am still shocked that it went from 18 ml to 1700 ml that quickly. Corals are definately growing, but does not seem to be commensurate with the increase in kalk I am now dosing. Calcium is now around 410 and Magnesium 1300. pH hasn't moved (still 7.9 to 8.1)
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