How much Kalk?

michnstev · 04/26/2006, 02:49 PM

We have our tank set up and I have the kalkwasser. But I don't know how much to add to the water when I mix it up and I don't know how fast to set the drip. The package doesn't give any real helpful information. Any and all suggestion are appreciated.
Thanks!!!

michnstev · 04/26/2006, 02:51 PM

BTW: we have a 65 gal with a 30 gal sump. My calcium reading this morning was 375.

MattG · 04/26/2006, 04:24 PM

usually 1-2 tsp of kalk powder per gallon of water will get you saturated. I cant answer how much to drip because it will depend upon your individual tank. Keeping an eye on your Ph is the best indication of how much kalk water you can add to your system. I would start off very slow and adjust accordingly.

Wryknow · 04/26/2006, 04:30 PM

A general rule is to add 1 - 2 tbls per gallon to fresh RO water, stir it well and then let it settle for a good 24 hours. Use the mix as your top-off water. Exactly how much Kalk you use depends on how much calcium your system consumes as well as how much evaporation your system has. Start with one tbls per gallon and monitor your calcium level. If it keeps going up then I would start reducing the amount of Kalk at about 425ppm or so and try to get a steady state at around 450ppm.
I would recommend using a float-valve in the sump instead of trying to use a drip system. The drip can be done but it will require a LOT of fiddling and the amount that you need to add will change based on the humidity, temperature, atmospheris pressure, etc.

CarmieJo · 04/26/2006, 04:37 PM

You might want to listen to the TalkingReef podcast Episode 13 on kalk and/or watch the video podcast Episode 44 on a DIY kalk doser. If you don't have an iPod or other player you can download iTunes and listen/watch from your computer. Both the podcasts and iTunes are free. You can click on my little red house for the link.

dead beat reef · 04/26/2006, 11:24 PM

I know I am lazy. If its easy to use I use it. You might like a
pre mixed supp. to hold alk. I add 3 cap fulls 2 times a week
test every 6 weeks. Easy. Seachem makes a product I use and
trust. Hows your cal? dbr

Randall_James · 04/26/2006, 11:30 PM

dosing seems to work fine for the majority of makeup water on most systems (1-4% of tank volume per 24hrs)
Dosing (IMO) is best done at night to control PH. Although kalk adds CA, it is only good at maintaining levels in my SPS tanks at best and is a poor additive for increasing levels.
A Toms Aqua lifter pump and a timer (DT17 Intermatic in my case) dosing for 2 to 4 minutes every hour overnight has been ultra reliable for me over the last 2 years with no failures.

This is ONLY HOW MINE IS SETUP and your milage may vary and likely someone will say it does not work....

bertoni · 04/26/2006, 11:33 PM

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

That article talks about dosing lime (kalk). You'll need to tune the dosage for the tank. I have three autotopoff systems delivering limewater. One get 1 tsp per 5 gallons, another gets 3 tsp, and the final one gets 5 tsp. The last two also get some vinegar to reduce the pH dose.

My advice is to start with perhaps 1 tsp per gallon, and watch the tank pH very closely when you start to drop, say, after 15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, and so on. If the pH rises too quickly, some vinegar in the mix will help. The alkalinity tests should tell you how strong a mix you need.

Bathel · 04/27/2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wryknow
A general rule is to add 1 - 2 tbls per gallon to fresh RO water, stir it well and then let it settle for a good 24 hours.

I think you ment Teaspoon not Tablespoon.

04/26/2006, 02:49 PM	#1
michnstev Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta area Posts: 2	How much Kalk? We have our tank set up and I have the kalkwasser. But I don't know how much to add to the water when I mix it up and I don't know how fast to set the drip. The package doesn't give any real helpful information. Any and all suggestion are appreciated. Thanks!!!

04/26/2006, 04:24 PM	#3
MattG Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 3,216	usually 1-2 tsp of kalk powder per gallon of water will get you saturated. I cant answer how much to drip because it will depend upon your individual tank. Keeping an eye on your Ph is the best indication of how much kalk water you can add to your system. I would start off very slow and adjust accordingly. __________________ Matt Current Tank Info: 215 mixed reef

04/26/2006, 04:30 PM	#4
Wryknow Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,203	A general rule is to add 1 - 2 tbls per gallon to fresh RO water, stir it well and then let it settle for a good 24 hours. Use the mix as your top-off water. Exactly how much Kalk you use depends on how much calcium your system consumes as well as how much evaporation your system has. Start with one tbls per gallon and monitor your calcium level. If it keeps going up then I would start reducing the amount of Kalk at about 425ppm or so and try to get a steady state at around 450ppm. I would recommend using a float-valve in the sump instead of trying to use a drip system. The drip can be done but it will require a LOT of fiddling and the amount that you need to add will change based on the humidity, temperature, atmospheris pressure, etc. __________________ You cannot use reason to change the opinion of a person that did not use reason to form their opinion in the first place. Current Tank Info: 65 G RR, w/ 50 G sump/refugium, DIY LED lighting, AquaMaxx CO-1 skimmer, Tunze 1073.050 return

04/26/2006, 04:37 PM	#5
CarmieJo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NC Posts: 390	You might want to listen to the TalkingReef podcast Episode 13 on kalk and/or watch the video podcast Episode 44 on a DIY kalk doser. If you don't have an iPod or other player you can download iTunes and listen/watch from your computer. Both the podcasts and iTunes are free. You can click on my little red house for the link. __________________ Carmie Only disasters happen fast! Current Tank Info: 54 gal AGA corner tank with a Solaris LED fixture; NanoCube 24

04/26/2006, 11:30 PM	#7
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	dosing seems to work fine for the majority of makeup water on most systems (1-4% of tank volume per 24hrs) Dosing (IMO) is best done at night to control PH. Although kalk adds CA, it is only good at maintaining levels in my SPS tanks at best and is a poor additive for increasing levels. A Toms Aqua lifter pump and a timer (DT17 Intermatic in my case) dosing for 2 to 4 minutes every hour overnight has been ultra reliable for me over the last 2 years with no failures. This is ONLY HOW MINE IS SETUP and your milage may vary and likely someone will say it does not work.... __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

04/26/2006, 02:51 PM	#2
michnstev Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta area Posts: 2	BTW: we have a 65 gal with a 30 gal sump. My calcium reading this morning was 375.

04/26/2006, 11:24 PM	#6
dead beat reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 279	I know I am lazy. If its easy to use I use it. You might like a pre mixed supp. to hold alk. I add 3 cap fulls 2 times a week test every 6 weeks. Easy. Seachem makes a product I use and trust. Hows your cal? dbr

04/26/2006, 11:33 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php That article talks about dosing lime (kalk). You'll need to tune the dosage for the tank. I have three autotopoff systems delivering limewater. One get 1 tsp per 5 gallons, another gets 3 tsp, and the final one gets 5 tsp. The last two also get some vinegar to reduce the pH dose. My advice is to start with perhaps 1 tsp per gallon, and watch the tank pH very closely when you start to drop, say, after 15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, and so on. If the pH rises too quickly, some vinegar in the mix will help. The alkalinity tests should tell you how strong a mix you need. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni