not sure if i should use kalk?

Beemo · 05/31/2006, 09:54 AM

im setting up a 55 gallon and im debating using kalkwasser after i read it has to be slow dripped or it can kill the inhabitants with a ph shock
i have no slow drip method and no sump. i do have a skimmer
it seems i mix the kalk with a gallon of ro water?
if i dont use the whole gallon wont it be wasted since i read it only last about 24 hours?
how can i add kalk top off water safely without using a drip method?
my other choice would use B-Ionic instead, would this be a better solution in my case?
p.s cost is not an issue....its ease of care

dkh0331 · 05/31/2006, 09:58 AM

Here is a link that contains mass quantities of articles about Calcium, Kalk, etc.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=102605

As far as kalk only lasting 24 hours - not true, if properly handled. I make up 40 gals of kalk/top-off once every 3 weeks or so. As long as its covered, no problem.

HTH

David

old salty · 05/31/2006, 10:43 AM

I am a strong advocate of limewater use. My coralline algae began to spread rampantly upon using limewater for topoffs. Since you don't have any provisions for dripping it in, now is your chance to do so. There are plenty of different ways to do this. Just check out peoples auto topoffs and take it from there.

chrisbenavides · 05/31/2006, 10:51 AM

Is using Calicum Bicarbonate (powder form) good when added to the fresh topoff water? I know I can't ask how much, cuase that depends on the ALK in the tank, but is it a good idea to use this (I mean is it a good idea to add calcium bicarbonate to our top off water, instead of just adding plain top off water?)

Whats better?

Beemo · 05/31/2006, 10:52 AM

im so not handy

so a drip method or auto top off is the only way to administer kalk?

i came across these 2 items which seems ok....seachem reef advantage calcium and reef builder
would this be a better choice for my system?
i honestly am not gonna do a drip or auto top off

dkh0331 · 05/31/2006, 11:17 AM

Two parts are certainly an easy to use modality - but if you have calcium loving livestock - can be expensive.

No need to be a Bob Villa here. One option, out of the possible thousands, is this:

1) Purchase an Aqualifter pump - $10.25
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Category_Code=

2) Purchase a digital timer, this Intermatic can be purchased for $20-25.
http://www.intermatic.com/?action=prod&pid=203

3) Some airline tubing

4) Your covered 5 gal bucket.

Now your steps -
A) Mix up your kalk and RO/DI water in your bucket.
B) Punch a hole in the lid.
C) Run a piece of tubing from the "inney" of the Aqualifter pump to about 1 inch from the bottom of the bucket thru the hole you punched in the lid.
D) Run an airline fro the "outey" of the AL pump to your tank. At the end, tie a loose knot. More on the knot later.
E) Plug the AL pump into the timer.
F) Set the timer to run several times a day for 3-5 minutes or so.
G) Play with the tightness of the knot. The tighter the knot, the slower the drip. The looser the knot, the faster the drip. Play with the tightness until you are about 1 drip per second. You also may need to play with time length on the timer as well.

So from a handiness standpoint, very minimal effort needed. You punch a hole, attach a couple of airlines, plug a couple of things in, tie a knot and experiment with time and tightness of the knot.

HTH

David

BTW - You should set this up and experiment with the knot tightness and timing using only RO/DI water.

Beemo · 05/31/2006, 11:44 AM

it sounds like IV lol
thanks

juke · 05/31/2006, 11:59 AM

That will work perfectly!!! I use a similar setup, but I drilled a hole in the side of the bucket about 2 incehs from the bottom, added a small spout to an airline going to a feeding pump. It works great

05/31/2006, 09:54 AM	#1
Beemo Moved On Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: PA Posts: 910	not sure if i should use kalk? im setting up a 55 gallon and im debating using kalkwasser after i read it has to be slow dripped or it can kill the inhabitants with a ph shock i have no slow drip method and no sump. i do have a skimmer it seems i mix the kalk with a gallon of ro water? if i dont use the whole gallon wont it be wasted since i read it only last about 24 hours? how can i add kalk top off water safely without using a drip method? my other choice would use B-Ionic instead, would this be a better solution in my case? p.s cost is not an issue....its ease of care

05/31/2006, 09:58 AM	#2
dkh0331 Es gibt keinen ersatz Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Close to the edge, down by a river Posts: 3,581	Here is a link that contains mass quantities of articles about Calcium, Kalk, etc. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=102605 As far as kalk only lasting 24 hours - not true, if properly handled. I make up 40 gals of kalk/top-off once every 3 weeks or so. As long as its covered, no problem. HTH David __________________ Just found out that grandpa has a drug addiction. He is addicted to viagra. No one is taking it harder than grandma.

05/31/2006, 10:43 AM	#3
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	I am a strong advocate of limewater use. My coralline algae began to spread rampantly upon using limewater for topoffs. Since you don't have any provisions for dripping it in, now is your chance to do so. There are plenty of different ways to do this. Just check out peoples auto topoffs and take it from there. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

05/31/2006, 10:51 AM	#4
chrisbenavides Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Laredo, TX Posts: 1,897	Is using Calicum Bicarbonate (powder form) good when added to the fresh topoff water? I know I can't ask how much, cuase that depends on the ALK in the tank, but is it a good idea to use this (I mean is it a good idea to add calcium bicarbonate to our top off water, instead of just adding plain top off water?) Whats better? __________________ ChrisBenavides Current Tank Info: 55g sw tank, Remora skimmer, powerfilter, 260w PC lights, 50 pounds live rock, 100 pounds sand, etc.... \| Seahorse Tank (3 H. Kuda, 2 Pep.) 30g tall, skimmer, 130w PC lights, HOB Penguin filter, 30 pounds Fiji and Tonga branch l.r., 4 inch sand bed.

05/31/2006, 11:17 AM	#6
dkh0331 Es gibt keinen ersatz Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Close to the edge, down by a river Posts: 3,581	Two parts are certainly an easy to use modality - but if you have calcium loving livestock - can be expensive. No need to be a Bob Villa here. One option, out of the possible thousands, is this: 1) Purchase an Aqualifter pump - $10.25 http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Category_Code= 2) Purchase a digital timer, this Intermatic can be purchased for $20-25. http://www.intermatic.com/?action=prod&pid=203 3) Some airline tubing 4) Your covered 5 gal bucket. Now your steps - A) Mix up your kalk and RO/DI water in your bucket. B) Punch a hole in the lid. C) Run a piece of tubing from the "inney" of the Aqualifter pump to about 1 inch from the bottom of the bucket thru the hole you punched in the lid. D) Run an airline fro the "outey" of the AL pump to your tank. At the end, tie a loose knot. More on the knot later. E) Plug the AL pump into the timer. F) Set the timer to run several times a day for 3-5 minutes or so. G) Play with the tightness of the knot. The tighter the knot, the slower the drip. The looser the knot, the faster the drip. Play with the tightness until you are about 1 drip per second. You also may need to play with time length on the timer as well. So from a handiness standpoint, very minimal effort needed. You punch a hole, attach a couple of airlines, plug a couple of things in, tie a knot and experiment with time and tightness of the knot. HTH David BTW - You should set this up and experiment with the knot tightness and timing using only RO/DI water. __________________ Just found out that grandpa has a drug addiction. He is addicted to viagra. No one is taking it harder than grandma.

05/31/2006, 10:52 AM	#5
Beemo Moved On Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: PA Posts: 910	im so not handy so a drip method or auto top off is the only way to administer kalk? i came across these 2 items which seems ok....seachem reef advantage calcium and reef builder would this be a better choice for my system? i honestly am not gonna do a drip or auto top off

05/31/2006, 11:44 AM	#7
Beemo Moved On Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: PA Posts: 910	it sounds like IV lol thanks

05/31/2006, 11:59 AM	#8
juke Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Fallbrook, Ca Posts: 36	That will work perfectly!!! I use a similar setup, but I drilled a hole in the side of the bucket about 2 incehs from the bottom, added a small spout to an airline going to a feeding pump. It works great