Calc vx Kalk - Newby Question

Singlemalt · 07/17/2007, 10:44 AM

Hi all. Can someone explain the difference between Calcium and Kalk reactors? From what I can gather one uses a filter media and CO2 and the other is a way to dose lime. Is that correct and is the CO2 a necessary part of the Calcium reactor method?

Sorry for the basic level of this question.

theatrus · 07/17/2007, 10:49 AM

- Kalk is Calcium Hydroxide in solution of water. It has a very high pH and needs to be slowly dripped/dosed into the tank water, but is a great way of boosting pH and keeping Alk+Ca in balance.

- Calcium reactors use argonite based sands with continuously circulating water. CO2 is added to the water in order to drive the pH to the 6.0-7.0 area, slowly dissolving the sand. A small stream of water (with a high Ca+Alk concentration) is dripped into the aquarium water (adding too much would crash the pH of the tank with the excess CO2).

Ca reactors as you can see are more complicated to setup, but once dialed in can be ignored for months at a time (as long as there is CO2 and sand still left). Sand and CO2 are cheap to refill.

Kalk requires more mixing and control, though you can automate it as well with a kalk stirrer and doser.

Singlemalt · 07/17/2007, 10:54 AM

Thanks Theatrus so it sounds like a question of $$ vs. maintenance time. Seems like everything comes down to that in the end.

drummereef · 07/17/2007, 10:57 AM

Unless you have an extremely high demand on Calcium and Alkalinity, like an SPS dominant tank, there won't be a need for a calcium reactor. Your two best choices for maintaining Ca/Alk is either Kalkwasser (Limewater) or a 2-Part suppliment. I use Randy's diy 2-Part suppliment.

Read this...

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

07/17/2007, 10:44 AM	#1
Singlemalt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Brick, New Jersey Posts: 60	Calc vx Kalk - Newby Question Hi all. Can someone explain the difference between Calcium and Kalk reactors? From what I can gather one uses a filter media and CO2 and the other is a way to dose lime. Is that correct and is the CO2 a necessary part of the Calcium reactor method? Sorry for the basic level of this question.

07/17/2007, 10:49 AM	#2
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	- Kalk is Calcium Hydroxide in solution of water. It has a very high pH and needs to be slowly dripped/dosed into the tank water, but is a great way of boosting pH and keeping Alk+Ca in balance. - Calcium reactors use argonite based sands with continuously circulating water. CO2 is added to the water in order to drive the pH to the 6.0-7.0 area, slowly dissolving the sand. A small stream of water (with a high Ca+Alk concentration) is dripped into the aquarium water (adding too much would crash the pH of the tank with the excess CO2). Ca reactors as you can see are more complicated to setup, but once dialed in can be ignored for months at a time (as long as there is CO2 and sand still left). Sand and CO2 are cheap to refill. Kalk requires more mixing and control, though you can automate it as well with a kalk stirrer and doser. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

07/17/2007, 10:57 AM	#4
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Unless you have an extremely high demand on Calcium and Alkalinity, like an SPS dominant tank, there won't be a need for a calcium reactor. Your two best choices for maintaining Ca/Alk is either Kalkwasser (Limewater) or a 2-Part suppliment. I use Randy's diy 2-Part suppliment. Read this... How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

07/17/2007, 10:54 AM	#3
Singlemalt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Brick, New Jersey Posts: 60	Thanks Theatrus so it sounds like a question of $$ vs. maintenance time. Seems like everything comes down to that in the end.