using Kalk !

Faisal1976us · 05/05/2008, 01:02 PM

I bring today my first kalk reactor for my 80g reef tank , and this is my first time i use kalk , i connect it with top off water system , my questions is :

1- is kent marine kalk good product or you have better one ?
2 - how can i calculate the dose ?
3 - its must be work 24 hours or run at specific time ?

csb · 05/05/2008, 01:28 PM

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/calcalkmar.htm

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/kalkh2ofaqs.htm

jimmy n · 05/05/2008, 03:01 PM

My take on Kalk:

I love it. i have a top of the line calcium reactor, but never saw better growth than when I used kalk. If you have a high demand system, you're auto topoff will have to smoke.

I use a fan based chiller, so auto topoff if like 5 gallons a day. I used a pH monitor and check calcium about every other month.

I will definately be firing up my kalk reactor again when I move and restart a monster tank.

Electrobes · 05/05/2008, 03:37 PM

First off let me suggest you read Randy's articles in the chemistry forum. Trust me it'll be the best reads of your life. With me saying that, and though I always suggest using a kalk bin instead of a reactor, here's my opinion for your current situation:

- Kent marine Kalk: I would suggest not using them because you can find kalkwasser (Also known as Pickling Lime) at a local store or even order it for a lot cheaper than what marine Brands try to sell to customers. On top of that Pickling Lime is food-grade, meaning it is put through more stringent standards (Purer, safer, etc). A brand I use is "Mrs. Wages" Pickling lime. Most stores carry it, but the season is not in quite yet. Where do you live? Based on your location it'll be easier to find some for you.

Dose of kalkwasser: I am a bit confused on this matter because you plan on using a Kalk Reactor. Water can only be saturated to a point. After that point, pickling lime will simply precipitate out of solution and wait till fresh water comes into the unit to be saturated.

Now if you mean a Kalk Bin, instead of a Kalk Reactor, the usual amount PER GALLON is two tablespoons. That's the highest you can dose (Water will be fully saturated). The real question you'll need to find out about is how much your pH will be affected.. and then we can determine how much vinegar to use in the Kalk bin to control your pH.

The timings of Kalkwasser: I typically have my bin on 24/7. Some people choose to run it only at night to balance their dropping pH as coral activity (photosynthesis-wise) shuts down. On issue with this is that when the timer clicked on you'll end up dumping a lot of Lime water right off the bat, which stresses livestock. So again, I suggest just leaving it on.

HTH

widmer · 05/05/2008, 03:49 PM

Unless I interpreted it wrong, Randy's article led me to believe that kalk alone could never supply enough calcium for a SPS reef. Any opinions on this?

Electrobes · 05/05/2008, 03:51 PM

It depends really. What he always suggest is to determine the amount of calcium being taken in, in terms of ppm. Lime water can only provide so much before the pH rises too much to bear.

If the tank is absorbing more calcium that is safe to dose kalk with.. you'll need another source. Most people opt for a calcium reactor, or a two part additive.

widmer · 05/05/2008, 03:52 PM

Here you go:

22.5 pounds of kalk for $35 (or 4.5 pounds for $10)
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Calciu...1_3/index.html

This looks like a pretty good deal too if you're doing 2-part:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Calciu...duct_info.html

05/05/2008, 01:02 PM	#1
Faisal1976us Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,076	using Kalk ! I bring today my first kalk reactor for my 80g reef tank , and this is my first time i use kalk , i connect it with top off water system , my questions is : 1- is kent marine kalk good product or you have better one ? 2 - how can i calculate the dose ? 3 - its must be work 24 hours or run at specific time ?

05/05/2008, 01:28 PM	#2
csb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 541	http://www.wetwebmedia.com/calcalkmar.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/kalkh2ofaqs.htm __________________ Winter ski bum, summer reef bum. Tank pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/snojrnl Current Tank Info: 30g mixed reef

05/05/2008, 03:37 PM	#4
Electrobes Montipora type guy Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 2,945	First off let me suggest you read Randy's articles in the chemistry forum. Trust me it'll be the best reads of your life. With me saying that, and though I always suggest using a kalk bin instead of a reactor, here's my opinion for your current situation: - Kent marine Kalk: I would suggest not using them because you can find kalkwasser (Also known as Pickling Lime) at a local store or even order it for a lot cheaper than what marine Brands try to sell to customers. On top of that Pickling Lime is food-grade, meaning it is put through more stringent standards (Purer, safer, etc). A brand I use is "Mrs. Wages" Pickling lime. Most stores carry it, but the season is not in quite yet. Where do you live? Based on your location it'll be easier to find some for you. Dose of kalkwasser: I am a bit confused on this matter because you plan on using a Kalk Reactor. Water can only be saturated to a point. After that point, pickling lime will simply precipitate out of solution and wait till fresh water comes into the unit to be saturated. Now if you mean a Kalk Bin, instead of a Kalk Reactor, the usual amount PER GALLON is two tablespoons. That's the highest you can dose (Water will be fully saturated). The real question you'll need to find out about is how much your pH will be affected.. and then we can determine how much vinegar to use in the Kalk bin to control your pH. The timings of Kalkwasser: I typically have my bin on 24/7. Some people choose to run it only at night to balance their dropping pH as coral activity (photosynthesis-wise) shuts down. On issue with this is that when the timer clicked on you'll end up dumping a lot of Lime water right off the bat, which stresses livestock. So again, I suggest just leaving it on. HTH __________________ Christian Current Tank Info: 100G Half Cylinder

05/05/2008, 03:51 PM	#6
Electrobes Montipora type guy Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 2,945	It depends really. What he always suggest is to determine the amount of calcium being taken in, in terms of ppm. Lime water can only provide so much before the pH rises too much to bear. If the tank is absorbing more calcium that is safe to dose kalk with.. you'll need another source. Most people opt for a calcium reactor, or a two part additive. __________________ Christian Current Tank Info: 100G Half Cylinder

05/05/2008, 03:01 PM	#3
jimmy n Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,256	My take on Kalk: I love it. i have a top of the line calcium reactor, but never saw better growth than when I used kalk. If you have a high demand system, you're auto topoff will have to smoke. I use a fan based chiller, so auto topoff if like 5 gallons a day. I used a pH monitor and check calcium about every other month. I will definately be firing up my kalk reactor again when I move and restart a monster tank.

05/05/2008, 03:49 PM	#5
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	Unless I interpreted it wrong, Randy's article led me to believe that kalk alone could never supply enough calcium for a SPS reef. Any opinions on this?

05/05/2008, 03:52 PM	#7
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	Here you go: 22.5 pounds of kalk for $35 (or 4.5 pounds for $10) http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Calciu...1_3/index.html This looks like a pretty good deal too if you're doing 2-part: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Calciu...duct_info.html