Kalkwater

[kycoralhead]

I have a question about top off water. I have been adding about a 1/4 tsp of kalk powder to about 5 gal of DI water before adding it to the tank. It raises the PH away from a very low level for DI water. Is this an acceptable way to add water. The PH is approaching 10, but it is being added to a large volume of water, as much as 150 gal. Does it matter how much raw kalk you use in the top off water if you add it in this manner. I know this is a small amount, but it has helped boost the overall PH in the tank and the coral seem to get a pick up from the addition. I have read about settling and draining off the top only. What are the benefits of each method? Is my method OK?

 

[randy holmes-farley]

Adding calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide to freshwater and then adding that very slowly to an aquarium is the way to use such materials.

You can only dissolve about 2 teaspoons in a gallon of fresh water. Let the solids settle,a nd then drip in the clear limewater. Don't just pour it in, or the tank pH will get too high.

If you are adding a very small amount (which 1/4 teaspoon in 5 gallons, then 1 gallon of that added to 150 gallons of aquarium water qualifies), adding the freshwater all at once is OK. Just don't add 2 teaspoons per gallon, and pour in 1 gallon at a time.