shelf-life of kalkwasser once mixed

redspot321 · 03/19/2007, 07:09 PM

Im thinking of dripping KW. My 55 mixed reef is consuming aprox 200ml of 2 part per day.

My question is ...If I mix 15 gallons of KW how long will it be good for? I would rather mix a large batch at once rather than mixing daily....Thanks.

jmick · 03/19/2007, 07:39 PM

It's my understanding that if you mix it and it's exposed to air that it's only good for 6-8 hours. I think if you mixed it in an air tight container you could get a few days out of it. I do 2-3 gallons at a time and always use it within 3-4 hours of mixing or until it settles.

redspot321 · 03/19/2007, 08:15 PM

Thanks for the reply jmick.

i just read this from this months tank of the month......

"I simply fill a 40-gallon Brute trashcan with RO water and kalkwasser, stir it for a few minutes, then forget about it until the next week. The kalkwasser is fed via a peristaltic pump attached to a float switch in the sump"

xtm · 03/19/2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by redspot321
My 55 mixed reef is consuming aprox 200ml of 2 part per day.

umm.. that's quite a lot for a 55. Which 2-part do you use?

I mix Kalk with RO water in a 2.5 gal bucket that is dripped via Peristaltic Pump (Aqua Medic ReefDoser) I add 60ml of vinegar to my Kalk mix (60ml per 2.5g) This 2.5 gal mix is good for 1 week.

Peter Eichler · 03/19/2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xtm
umm.. that's quite a lot for a 55. Which 2-part do you use?

I mix Kalk with RO water in a 2.5 gal bucket that is dripped via Peristaltic Pump (Aqua Medic ReefDoser) I add 60ml of vinegar to my Kalk mix (60ml per 2.5g) This 2.5 gal mix is good for 1 week.

I use 125ml of recipe #1 in my 65 gallon every day, if he's using #2 that's fairly close to the same. I do have a 50 gallon sump and 20 gallon fuge though.

supervdl · 03/19/2007, 10:43 PM

I mix a bucket and it lasts for about a week. I use Aquamedic top-off doser.

drummereef · 03/19/2007, 11:02 PM

The Degradation of Limewater (Kalkwasser) in Air
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm

musty baby · 03/20/2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drummereef
The Degradation of Limewater (Kalkwasser) in Air
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm

"..."

hceiv · 03/20/2007, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ryansholl
"..."

Ditto, I thought refilling my topoff with kalk mixed in every week was good, but I guess not

DrBegalke · 03/20/2007, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drummereef
The Degradation of Limewater (Kalkwasser) in Air
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm

If you actually read Randy's article, versus just scan the headlines, he states:

"... many aquarists have incorrectly concluded that substantial potency is lost as the limewater degrades, and that such a system will fail. ... In truth, it takes me five minutes to make up limewater every 2-3 weeks, so the idea that some other system is easier to use is simply unfounded. Later in this article I will show that such simple systems do not lose substantial potency, and hence should be considered by aquarists who have the space for large reservoirs."

and

"Limewater can lose potency by reacting with carbon dioxide in the air, forming insoluble calcium carbonate. Since calcium carbonate is not an effective supplement of calcium and alkalinity in reef aquaria, the limewater can become less useful through this process. The rate at which this happens in large containers, such as plastic trashcans with loose fitting lids, is much less than many aquarists expect. There is, in fact, little degradation under typical use conditions. Consequently, the dosing of limewater from such large still reservoirs can be just as effective as dosing using any other scheme, and may have substantial advantages. These advantages include simplicity of the system and the ability to use organic acids such as vinegar to boost the potency. The use of a reactor to dose limewater has the advantage of requiring less space, but does not have the oft-stated advantage of eliminating degradation by atmospheric carbon dioxide that is reported to plague delivery from reservoirs."

Quatro · 03/20/2007, 02:03 AM

^^^^ Thanks for the clarification, I feel better now

^^^^

PS. Do you have a direct link? The one posted previously does not work...

dkh0331 · 03/20/2007, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hceiv
^^^^ Thanks for the clarification, I feel better now ^^^^

PS. Do you have a direct link? The one posted previously does not work...

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

coyoteseven · 03/20/2007, 10:12 AM

Thanks for the working link, DKH.

03/19/2007, 10:43 PM	#6
supervdl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NE PA Posts: 1,315	I mix a bucket and it lasts for about a week. I use Aquamedic top-off doser. __________________ My tank thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1167897 Current Tank Info: 135 gal mixed reef with Radions and Zeovit; 210 gal SPS reef being set up

03/19/2007, 11:02 PM	#7
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	The Degradation of Limewater (Kalkwasser) in Air http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

03/20/2007, 10:12 AM	#13
coyoteseven Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Port FL Posts: 1,626	Thanks for the working link, DKH. __________________ A wise man never has all the answers... just more questions. This above all else... the true warrior prays for peace. Current Tank Info: None right now, perhaps again some day.

03/19/2007, 07:09 PM	#1
redspot321 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: palm bay fl Posts: 1,711	shelf-life of kalkwasser once mixed Im thinking of dripping KW. My 55 mixed reef is consuming aprox 200ml of 2 part per day. My question is ...If I mix 15 gallons of KW how long will it be good for? I would rather mix a large batch at once rather than mixing daily....Thanks.

03/19/2007, 07:39 PM	#2
jmick Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bartlett, il Posts: 402	It's my understanding that if you mix it and it's exposed to air that it's only good for 6-8 hours. I think if you mixed it in an air tight container you could get a few days out of it. I do 2-3 gallons at a time and always use it within 3-4 hours of mixing or until it settles.

03/19/2007, 08:15 PM	#3
redspot321 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: palm bay fl Posts: 1,711	Thanks for the reply jmick. i just read this from this months tank of the month...... "I simply fill a 40-gallon Brute trashcan with RO water and kalkwasser, stir it for a few minutes, then forget about it until the next week. The kalkwasser is fed via a peristaltic pump attached to a float switch in the sump"

03/20/2007, 02:03 AM	#11
Quatro Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 541	^^^^ Thanks for the clarification, I feel better now ^^^^ PS. Do you have a direct link? The one posted previously does not work...