Lazy Kalk Question.

[stubbsz]

I dose A/B supplement but I also dose Kalk. It's pretty easy to do and was habitual ( I have a Tunze Ca thingie that I just toss some kalk in now and then.

I'm just sitting here turning all the variables over in my mind and I can't remember why I'm dosing Kalk.

It's not having much impact on CA/ALK as I have that covered. I guess it helps keep my Ph at a high level 8.2-8.5 and I remember something about it helping your skimmer to remove Phosphates... did I imagine that.

My searching is coming up with lame links and I thought I'd be lazy.

Are folks still dosing it along with alternative CA/ALK supplimentation.

-Adrian

 

[Len]

I used to dose Kalk with Bionic. I had to use kalk to keep my Ca because I had a high Ca demand from my SPS. The higher pH was a boon too. I'm currently using a Ca reactor, but I've been thinking about going back to kalkwasser again.

 

[stubbsz]

So your Bionic couldn't keep up with CA demands? Too expensive maybe ro dose enough of it... I couldn't afford to use a 2 part supplement but making my own has made that moot.... don't have the A/B part quite dialed in as I want it but it's just a matter of time.

 

[Len]

I went about 50% over recommended dosage but didn't dare go much higher because I don't know what sorts of other elemental imbalances I could cause. At this dosage, I couldn't meet Ca demands. The good part about making your own is you can figure out what portions are going in. Of course, I suck at chemistry, so I'd screw that up

 

[Kevin1000]

Kalkwasser is a balanced additive ... that just means it has the approximate ratio of calcium and alkalinity that hard corals used to grow. Its a common additive used as the prime replacement water for evaporation in many reef tanks. It temporarily raises the PH which is why many slowly drip in the evening when PH is going down.

Many aquarist will use a two part additive to get their tank in "balance" .. the two part is necessary because you may have to increase either alkalinity or calcium to get the tank balanced. Once the tank is balanced Kalkwasser is used to provide the calc/alk and will keep the tank "balanced".

Sometimes your tank will have a calcium demand that Kalkwasser can't meet (ie lots of hard corals and not enough evaporation) and those aquarist will either supplement with two part or move up to a reactor.

Hope this helps.

 

[stubbsz]

I don't have tons of Coral demanding CA but I know that Kalk won't meet the demand I have despite replacing evaporation with KALK. I guess I will reduce the amount of CA/ALK additives I use but I guess I was looking for what other benefits there are.

 

[Kevin1000]

Kalkwasser would normally meet the typical demand of a reef that doesn't have alot of hard corals.

Adding too much/too quickly of calc or alk supplements often ends up precipitating out the very chemicals your trying to add. Adding kalk to an unbalanced tank can also give similar results. You might try getting your tank reasonably balanced ... waiting a few days and then start Kalk.