Kalk auto-topoff question

northstar1 · 03/22/2011, 06:33 PM

I have a 5gal bucket that I use to auto topoff into my 20 gal sump. The auto topoff bucket also auto fills with RO/DI water. Is they anyway of figuring how much and how often to add kalk to my auto topoff bucket, since it auto refills?

northstar1 · 03/23/2011, 07:34 AM

Anyone?

spieszak · 03/23/2011, 07:38 AM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1990774

northstar1 · 03/23/2011, 08:15 AM

That post doesn't quite answer my question. Since my ATO bucket is always full because of my ro/di float at the top, how do I know how much kalk to dose? Initially I will dose 2 teaspoons per gallon, but how long before I add more kalk since I never let the ATO go empty?

njudson · 03/23/2011, 09:36 AM

You can add excess kalk to your ATO bucket and just let it dissolve as the new water is added. Might wanna give it a good stir once every few weeks. But your kalk solution wont go above a certain saturation point. (adding vinegar can actually do this but thats another topic) I have a bunch of extra kalk in my bucket and when I refill it once a week I don't add any more until I feel its depleted, then I rinse out the bucket and add fresh.

stingythingy45 · 03/23/2011, 09:50 AM

Ro water can only hold so much kalk before it will just precipitate and fall to the bottom.
I use a 20 gallon Rubbermaid instead of what you have,the 5 gallon bucket.
I generally shut my water off at the container after it fills even though I have a Kent float switch.If I see a lot of precipitate on the bottom I'll just mix it and see how milky white the water gets.Other times I will add approx. 10 teaspoons or enough to mix half the container(20 gal) as this is usually where I start to refill.
Every so many months I'll rinse the white sludge on the bottom from the precipitate.
No exact science here,but it works for me.

03/22/2011, 06:33 PM	#1
northstar1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 18	Kalk auto-topoff question I have a 5gal bucket that I use to auto topoff into my 20 gal sump. The auto topoff bucket also auto fills with RO/DI water. Is they anyway of figuring how much and how often to add kalk to my auto topoff bucket, since it auto refills?

03/23/2011, 07:38 AM	#3
spieszak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,877	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1990774 __________________ I'm new to this saltwater thing, all comments should be taken with a BUCKET of salt! :-) -Stacey

03/23/2011, 09:36 AM	#5
njudson Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 610	You can add excess kalk to your ATO bucket and just let it dissolve as the new water is added. Might wanna give it a good stir once every few weeks. But your kalk solution wont go above a certain saturation point. (adding vinegar can actually do this but thats another topic) I have a bunch of extra kalk in my bucket and when I refill it once a week I don't add any more until I feel its depleted, then I rinse out the bucket and add fresh. __________________ Barebottom Nano Radion Pro Icecap 1k Gyre Icecap K1 Nano Skimmer Ocellaris pair / Potter's Angel / BTAs, Zoas and Montis Current Tank Info: IM Nuvo Fusion Lagoon 25

03/23/2011, 09:50 AM	#6
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	Ro water can only hold so much kalk before it will just precipitate and fall to the bottom. I use a 20 gallon Rubbermaid instead of what you have,the 5 gallon bucket. I generally shut my water off at the container after it fills even though I have a Kent float switch.If I see a lot of precipitate on the bottom I'll just mix it and see how milky white the water gets.Other times I will add approx. 10 teaspoons or enough to mix half the container(20 gal) as this is usually where I start to refill. Every so many months I'll rinse the white sludge on the bottom from the precipitate. No exact science here,but it works for me. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

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03/23/2011, 07:34 AM	#2
northstar1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 18	Anyone?

03/23/2011, 08:15 AM	#4
northstar1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 18	That post doesn't quite answer my question. Since my ATO bucket is always full because of my ro/di float at the top, how do I know how much kalk to dose? Initially I will dose 2 teaspoons per gallon, but how long before I add more kalk since I never let the ATO go empty?