How to utilize LIME/KALKWASSER IN TOP OFF?

dnguyen1 · 07/16/2008, 03:55 PM

I'm trying to raise my pH. I've never messed w/ pH before or any dosing, just water changes since it's been a FO tank up until now, I've added some Xenia and they are showing massive signs of stress.

Recommendation on the boards recommend I raise my pH.

I do TOPPING OFF the old fashioned way (25g tank)... I have just have a 1 gallon jug of RO Water sitting in the corner of the tank that I pour into the tank to top off.

I've read around the forums and I see people mixing in Kalk w/ their TOP OFF, but a lot of the top off are all AUTO TOP OFF SYSTEMS, I couldn't find anything specific to manual top offs.

I read some issues about caution w/ consistent mixing? I just wanted to check the proper way of added kalk if I want to mix the kalk in w/ my top off.

Also can I just get lime juice for this? Thanks

jthao · 07/16/2008, 04:31 PM

well you can mix kalk with your top off water and pour in... but you have to have the right amount per gal of top off etc. I don't know how much that would be.
and yes you can just pickling lime powder... as far as lime juice (no), I don't think it's the same stuff.

dnguyen1 · 07/16/2008, 05:00 PM

Thanks jthao

I remember reading the brand that you'd be looking for at a super market, does anybody remember the brand/type that people are using?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 07/16/2008, 05:08 PM

Any brand of food grade calcium hydroxide is fine. Many hobby brands are also fine. I compare potential impurities in different grades in the article below.

The amount that can be added manually is very small. Adding 1.25% of the tank volume in saturated limewater boosts pH by about 0.7 pH units, which is going to push pH too high in most cases.

This has more:

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

seapug · 07/16/2008, 05:09 PM

The low tech/budget way I do it on my 90 gallon tank:

Add 1-2 Teaspoons of Kalk mix to a gallon of RO water and shake the hell out of it, then pour it in a pitcher with a lid that has a hole in the top. I have a piece of 1/4 airline tubing with a 25 cent landscape drip emitter on the end. Start the siphon, adjust the emitter to a drip and let it go overnight in the sump.

dnguyen1 · 07/16/2008, 05:21 PM

Ooh, I'm reading on that article right now..

So I wouldnt' be able to do the top off way I normally do? I was thining about what you said seapug, I'd shake the hell out of the 1gallon jug then just pour in a bit of water (maybe 3 ounces) each time to top off the water manually

Randy Holmes-Farley · 07/16/2008, 06:11 PM

You'll need to do that many times per day. Dripping is by far the preferred method.

07/16/2008, 03:55 PM	#1
dnguyen1 Will work for fish Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 910	How to utilize LIME/KALKWASSER IN TOP OFF? I'm trying to raise my pH. I've never messed w/ pH before or any dosing, just water changes since it's been a FO tank up until now, I've added some Xenia and they are showing massive signs of stress. Recommendation on the boards recommend I raise my pH. I do TOPPING OFF the old fashioned way (25g tank)... I have just have a 1 gallon jug of RO Water sitting in the corner of the tank that I pour into the tank to top off. I've read around the forums and I see people mixing in Kalk w/ their TOP OFF, but a lot of the top off are all AUTO TOP OFF SYSTEMS, I couldn't find anything specific to manual top offs. I read some issues about caution w/ consistent mixing? I just wanted to check the proper way of added kalk if I want to mix the kalk in w/ my top off. Also can I just get lime juice for this? Thanks __________________ Trying to keep the tank clean ONE DAY AT A TIME. Current Tank Info: 50g cube

07/16/2008, 04:31 PM	#2
jthao Super Saiyan Join Date: May 2007 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,522	well you can mix kalk with your top off water and pour in... but you have to have the right amount per gal of top off etc. I don't know how much that would be. and yes you can just pickling lime powder... as far as lime juice (no), I don't think it's the same stuff. __________________ Elos 160xl \| Profilux 3.1Nex ultimate \| BK DC200 \| (5)Mitras 6200s \|(4) Vortech MP40QD \| 3155 ATO \| Schuran CaRx \| Carbon-Doser \| Red Dragon return \| 500G Starphire FOWLR \| BK SM200 \| (6) Tunze 6105

07/16/2008, 05:00 PM	#3
dnguyen1 Will work for fish Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 910	Thanks jthao I remember reading the brand that you'd be looking for at a super market, does anybody remember the brand/type that people are using? __________________ Trying to keep the tank clean ONE DAY AT A TIME. Current Tank Info: 50g cube

07/16/2008, 05:08 PM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Any brand of food grade calcium hydroxide is fine. Many hobby brands are also fine. I compare potential impurities in different grades in the article below. The amount that can be added manually is very small. Adding 1.25% of the tank volume in saturated limewater boosts pH by about 0.7 pH units, which is going to push pH too high in most cases. This has more: What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

07/16/2008, 05:09 PM	#5
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	The low tech/budget way I do it on my 90 gallon tank: Add 1-2 Teaspoons of Kalk mix to a gallon of RO water and shake the hell out of it, then pour it in a pitcher with a lid that has a hole in the top. I have a piece of 1/4 airline tubing with a 25 cent landscape drip emitter on the end. Start the siphon, adjust the emitter to a drip and let it go overnight in the sump. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

07/16/2008, 05:21 PM	#6
dnguyen1 Will work for fish Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 910	Ooh, I'm reading on that article right now.. So I wouldnt' be able to do the top off way I normally do? I was thining about what you said seapug, I'd shake the hell out of the 1gallon jug then just pour in a bit of water (maybe 3 ounces) each time to top off the water manually __________________ Trying to keep the tank clean ONE DAY AT A TIME. Current Tank Info: 50g cube

07/16/2008, 06:11 PM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	You'll need to do that many times per day. Dripping is by far the preferred method. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef