Lime Water Top Off

primer7 · 11/02/2007, 03:42 PM

Greetings,

I'm new to salt water and have a 12gal Nano, I have been using RO/DI water to replace the evaporated water, usually about 1 quart a day. Should I be using lime water instead of just pure fresh water? I'm still confused even after reading all the articles.

Keith

bertoni · 11/02/2007, 04:08 PM

To Reef Central

Lime water would supplement calcium and alkalinity, but also affect the pH. A 2-part like B-Ionic or an equivalent product is safer and easier to dose, although a bit more costly.

sabbath · 11/02/2007, 05:05 PM

One note; Do not add anything that you are not testing for.

Test your ALK & CA then add as needed. I agree 2-part is safer and easier.

Sk8r · 11/02/2007, 05:09 PM

On a nano scale, kalk could be difficult.

primer7 · 11/02/2007, 05:49 PM

Thanks for the responces, the daily dosing is not something I'm used too and I complied a rather large collection of test kits. I'll try the two part system and see how that goes, I've been using Kent Pro Buffer and Reef complete and have gotten into the hapit of testing the water bi-weekly. The tank seems fine, but I wanted to explore any easier ways. This is not like keeping a planted tank.

Keith

sabbath · 11/02/2007, 05:51 PM

What is your Alk and Ca?

m2434 · 11/02/2007, 06:02 PM

I drip kalk on my nano. Not enough evaporation to make up to raise ca levels. I drip the limewater at night to balance pH and help precipitate phosphate. I also use 2 part and the occasional buffer or magnesium supplement, in addition, but I test Ca, Alk and Mg often.

primer7 · 11/02/2007, 06:08 PM

Well if I don't add the Kent Pro daily the Alk drops to 7 DH or so PH drops to 7.8 daily and the Calcium runs around 450ppm. I add a capfull of the Reef Complete every third day depending on the reading.

Keith

sabbath · 11/02/2007, 06:14 PM

Cool, I try to keep the ALK up around 9 or 10. Then my PH stays above 7.9 ish at night.

Have you thought about DIY 2-part. You can also by it ready to add water from http://www.twopartsolution.com/index...27bed8c1cd8c0c

primer7 · 11/02/2007, 06:58 PM

As a note, thanks to everyone who responded, this is an extremely helpful site!

Thanks Again

11/02/2007, 03:42 PM	#1
primer7 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 88	Lime Water Top Off Greetings, I'm new to salt water and have a 12gal Nano, I have been using RO/DI water to replace the evaporated water, usually about 1 quart a day. Should I be using lime water instead of just pure fresh water? I'm still confused even after reading all the articles. Keith

11/02/2007, 04:08 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	*To Reef Central* Lime water would supplement calcium and alkalinity, but also affect the pH. A 2-part like B-Ionic or an equivalent product is safer and easier to dose, although a bit more costly. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/02/2007, 05:09 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	On a nano scale, kalk could be difficult. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/02/2007, 06:02 PM	#7
m2434 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,171	I drip kalk on my nano. Not enough evaporation to make up to raise ca levels. I drip the limewater at night to balance pH and help precipitate phosphate. I also use 2 part and the occasional buffer or magnesium supplement, in addition, but I test Ca, Alk and Mg often. __________________ Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not, as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there. ~Richard Feynman

11/02/2007, 05:05 PM	#3
sabbath Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Twin City's Mn. Posts: 1,771	One note; Do not add anything that you are not testing for. Test your ALK & CA then add as needed. I agree 2-part is safer and easier.

11/02/2007, 05:49 PM	#5
primer7 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 88	Thanks for the responces, the daily dosing is not something I'm used too and I complied a rather large collection of test kits. I'll try the two part system and see how that goes, I've been using Kent Pro Buffer and Reef complete and have gotten into the hapit of testing the water bi-weekly. The tank seems fine, but I wanted to explore any easier ways. This is not like keeping a planted tank. Keith

11/02/2007, 05:51 PM	#6
sabbath Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Twin City's Mn. Posts: 1,771	What is your Alk and Ca?

11/02/2007, 06:08 PM	#8
primer7 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 88	Well if I don't add the Kent Pro daily the Alk drops to 7 DH or so PH drops to 7.8 daily and the Calcium runs around 450ppm. I add a capfull of the Reef Complete every third day depending on the reading. Keith

11/02/2007, 06:14 PM	#9
sabbath Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Twin City's Mn. Posts: 1,771	Cool, I try to keep the ALK up around 9 or 10. Then my PH stays above 7.9 ish at night. Have you thought about DIY 2-part. You can also by it ready to add water from http://www.twopartsolution.com/index...27bed8c1cd8c0c

11/02/2007, 06:58 PM	#10
primer7 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 88	As a note, thanks to everyone who responded, this is an extremely helpful site! Thanks Again