When was Kalkwasser not enough for you?

[Uncle Salty 05]

My stirrer is very high tech (a plastic spatula), so I don't worry too much about its life span.

[Decadence]

I empty my stirrer a couple times a year. I use an aqua medic. Since the sludge is in suspension when the stirrer is run continuously, it doesn't really affect much to leave it in there long-term. If you are mixing all of your top-off in jugs, you very well could be saturated as high as is possible without an acid. A stirrer is more for people who use large reservoirs or top off their tanks directly from the RODI. I only use one because pushing the saturated water was doing a number on my lift pump and it aded extra steps to changing my top-off jugs.

[Uncle Salty 05]

If the sludge is in suspension aren't you pumping it into your tank?

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty 05

If the sludge is in suspension aren't you pumping it into your tank?

It is suspended in it's own sedimentary layer. When say that it is in suspension, I mean that it is no solidified. The lower layers separate out from the upper layers. I use a 3gph pump to slowly push water through the sediment layers to saturate it without disturbing it. The only problem with the stirrer is that if the RO reservoir runs out, the pump picks up air and the air bubbles rise rapidly and make the whole stirrer go white.

[Uncle Salty 05]

I think I understand.
I'm gonna stick with my spatula method.

[AcroporAddict]

Originally Posted by Decadence

I empty my stirrer a couple times a year. I use an aqua medic. Since the sludge is in suspension when the stirrer is run continuously, it doesn't really affect much to leave it in there long-term. If you are mixing all of your top-off in jugs, you very well could be saturated as high as is possible without an acid. A stirrer is more for people who use large reservoirs or top off their tanks directly from the RODI. I only use one because pushing the saturated water was doing a number on my lift pump and it aded extra steps to changing my top-off jugs.

Probably doesn't matter if you empty it every change or like you do, as long as the stirrer can handle it. I do run my ATO through the reactor, as you said.

I was using an Avast Marine K2 Stirrer, but I found that I was getting a pasty layer sticking to the bottom of the reactor that was not mixing, and my stir bar got out of alignment because it could not cut through it. My fault, I think, because I was putting more kalk in there than was recommended. Also, the stir bar material on the Avast is not as robust as the AquaMedic Stirrers.

I just had GEO build me this, however, and it seems more than up to the task, hehehe! 8" wide tube.

[ir_danno22]

I put small zip ties on the aqua medic stir bar to get the Kalk that usually settles on the bottom stirred up. I think it's working, it's been 7 weeks since adding them.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I was wondering when people stopped using Kalkwasser and had to supplement with either dosing frequently or a calcium reactor.

Never needed anything else.

[AcroporAddict]

Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley

I was wondering when people stopped using Kalkwasser and had to supplement with either dosing frequently or a calcium reactor.

Never needed anything else.

So you have always had enough magnesium using just kalk? I guess through your salt mix? I have had SPS ever since I got into reefing, and I have always had to dose magnesium, but I use Instant Ocean salt, which may explain why.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I boost my salt mix (regular Instant Ocean) with magnesium so that adequate amounts come in with water changes (1% daily). I do not add it directly to the tank. IO used to have lower magnesium and I added more (150 ppm, IIRC). Now I add a lot less or none.

[AcroporAddict]

Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley

I boost my salt mix (regular Instant Ocean) with magnesium so that adequate amounts come in with water changes (1% daily). I do not add it directly to the tank. IO used to have lower magnesium and I added more (150 ppm, IIRC). Now I add a lot less or none.

Makes sense...I mix up some of your 2 part mix every 3-4 weeks and dose it into the tank. I also do a 1% daily water change with a dual head MasterFlex pump. Honestly, one of the best things I have done for my 465 gallon tank.

[h2pvnus]

I have a question? My mix reef water parameter is in range now.

NH3 0
NO2 0
NO3 .10
PO4 .15
Cal 460
Alk 11
Mg 1350

I got kalk and i stil confused when put it in. Some say use ATO to do that, but will it raise those Ca and Alk over the range. Or i should wait till level drop and then start to put kalk in. I have one 5" acropora colony and 5 frags of diferent SPS. But everytime i test Ca and Alk still in range.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Generally, folks don't see much boost from using limewater in an ATO, possibly because the boost in pH also boosts demand (both biologic and abiotic). Just start with it dilute and add more and more solid to the limewater as needed to maintain alkalinity (not calcium). You may not need much at the moment.

[h2pvnus]

Originally Posted by Randy Holmes-Farley

Generally, folks don't see much boost from using limewater in an ATO, possibly because the boost in pH also boosts demand (both biologic and abiotic). Just start with it dilute and add more and more solid to the limewater as needed to maintain alkalinity (not calcium). You may not need much at the moment.

Sorry i dont understand what you mean.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well, without going into the science stuff, I'd add a small amount of calcium hydroxide or oxide to the ATO and monitor alk over a week or so. It may not rise, but will be maintaining it.