Help with kalkwasser!

[jlinzmaier]

I currenlty use reef complete by seachem to manage my calcium levels(it also maintains strontium and magnesium levels and I think that simplified things for me when I started my tank.) Now I'm interested in testing stront and mag instead of just calcium. Sounds like a fun challenge to keep them all at good levels instead of just assuming the reef complete is keeping the stront and mag at preferable levels.

For now I just want to discuss using kalkwasser for maintaining calcium levels. I guess Ill ask about strontium and magnesium supplements later.

I've heard good things about kalkwasser and I'm wondering if people could give me their opinions about it.
I don't have a calcium reactor and don't plan on using one in the near future so lets leave that out of the scenario for now

Is it better to use kalkwasser in conjunction with a calcium supplement like kent marine states or is the calcium supplement just as effective at keeping calcium levels up? Whats the correlation between the two?

I've read kalkwasser is caustic. I assume this aids in keeping up the pH and alkalinity. Is a buffer still needed when kalkwasser is used?

Is a two part calcium/alkalinity addative better than either kalkwasser or a separate calcium and alkalinity addative?

I think I have a good idea on how kalkwasser is used but help me and correct me if I'm wrong.
1)calculate amount of daily freshwater evaporation.
2)Dose kalkwasser to daily freshwater in an amount to keep calcium at proper levels.
3) Then this mixture is injected via drip system continually over a 24 hour period.

If I'm missing something let me know.

Has anybody had any problems with using kalkwasser.

Everybody's input and past experiences would be much appreciated.

 

[jumpincactus]

Here is what works for me. Using a good two part is the way to go if you are not going to use a calc reactor for now. Kalkwasser, keep in mind does not raise your calcium. It helps to maintain it at the levles you want to be at. recommend 380-450. Yes the kalk is a caustic solution but not to worry.

Just make sure you only drip it no faster than one drop a minute. First thing you want to do is try to figure out what you lose a day to evaporation. Then you drip kalk to make up that amount of evap loss.

There are numerous ways to make or buy kalkwasser. IMO it is best to use Mrs. Wages pickling lime. It is a lot cheaper than LFS store bought Kalwasser mixes. If it has a Reef label on it it costs 5 times more than alternative methods. Ask around and you will find lots of reefkeepers use Mrs. Wages.

With the two part A & B calcium additives you want to use them to get your calcium to the desired levels then you can drip kalk to maintain those levels.. With Mrs W you add 2 teaspoon full to a gallon of RO/DI water or the purest water you can get. Shake real well and then let sit for a day. Then get a drip container setup and set your drip in the evenings when your tank is at its lowest point in Ph. This is due to the inhabitants metabolism being lower when the lights are off.

I drip at night due to the fact kalk has a ph of 12. So with the lowest Ph occuring at night I believe it is the best time to drip. Some folks drip 24/7 But I am not a reef guru yet

Keeps the Ph from going thru the roof. I would suggest that when you begin dripping keep an eye on your Ph so you can catch any wild swings. I have been dripping for 3 months now and I have never seen my calc levels fall below 410ppm. Make sure the setup you use for a kalk container is higher than the sump where you will drip into. Make sure you drip in a high flow area of your sump.

As for using A&B 2 part additives even thought it says it doesnt mess with the ionic balabce of your water make sure you keep an eye on your carbonate hardness. You want to shoot for between 7-11 DKh. I found that when I was dosing to get my calcium to where I wanted it the alkalinty got dangerously high because I was not paying attention to all my parameters.

The only issue I have with 2 parts and dripping kalk is this. Even with kalk you will periodically have to use 2 part to bring your calcium up as your corals use it up. So as it is, you will be forever buying it from the LFS. Good for them bad for the pocketbook.

after going over the cost of the 2 part over a year or two's time I have opted to go with a calcium reactor. The initial cost is steep but over the course of the year it will pay for the investment. Lower maintenance ,easy to use once you get it dialed in and really only needs replenishing about every 6 months. If you are like me having to keep a constant supply of limewater on hand, mixing it ,storing it ,and having your drip system clog up and forever fussing with it , I am going to enjoy the set it and forget it atvantadges of the reactor. Not only that but tanks I have seen with reactors dialed in correctly really thrive with Coralline and LPS SPS growth.

Oh I forgot to add, be careful as to the location of your kalk container,make sure it cannot be accidently knocked over causing the contents to be dumped into your sump or tank. Depending on how much falls in you can probably count on nuking everything in your tank ....Not a good thing