kalk help..please

[crazybizzle]

ok so im thinking of starting to dose kalk. can anyone help me on how i should do this.  my tank is 65 gal with 45 gal fuge.  my evaporation amount per day is just shy of a gallon.  i will be using a dos/drip pump medical grade, to do this by what i have what should i set my drip at? is using kalk really that helpful and who on here uses it.

 

[shayneh]

I have used it for years and it's not as complex as you may believe. You can use a pump and you'll have to familarize yourself with the pumps proper usage but I just use the method as described in the following link. Super easy to maintain and no worries of overdosing. I just add a spoonful of kalk to my gallon of top up water and let it drip overnight. Good part with this is when the airline starts to clog or the jug gets all gross I just buy another jug of water and .30 worth of airline. I also add vinegar to my mix.

http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/podcast-episodes/674-diy-kalk-doser-video-podcast-episode-44-a.html

 

[crazybizzle]

Thanks shane that helps out big time.

 

[shayneh]

;D Glad to help!

 

[pulpfiction1]

it actually looks quite interesting and simple,never used kalk as always been a 2 part system and never had issues with growth,but after watching the video i am seriously considering kalk as an alternative now that i have started with a few corals and such this might make the job simpler for me

thx

 

[crazybizzle]

What do u recomed my drip rate at then fir my 1 gal topoff during the night is their some sort of calculator to figure this out? Cause my topoff is digital so its easy to program the number in

 

[shayneh]

I just make a loop and tighten the airline to get about a drop per second. I also make sure it's in a high flow area so I don't get any kalk settling. I also let my fancy system add the sludge that collects in the bottom of the jug (there are mixed opinions on that but I've not noticed any deleterious results).

 

[teebone110]

Hey biz,

I use an old gallon-sized juice jug, throw in a scoop of pickling lime, add a little RODI and shake it up. Fill it up to the top and let it settle for a short while, then let it run.

It ha1 some airline tubing running from about 1cm from the bottom of the jug with an airline valve to control the drip rate. I set it close to 1 drop per second. You just need to add the kalk  slowly to avoid any ph spikes.


btw, to add the airline tubing.. I just drilled a hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the line.. heated up the line with boiling water and jammed it in. Nothing fancy, and it doesn't leak.

It works like a charm! Very inexpensive too!

A little vinegar helps as well.

I use this for my make-up water.

 

[crazybizzle]

teebone if im making 1 gallon worth of kalk to drip how much vinegar should i add to it?

 

[shayneh]

crazyb read this....I use about 10ml instead of the 15ml.

http://www.reefscapes.net/articles/breefcase/kalkwasser.html

 

[crazybizzle]

awesome, great read. once again thanks this is becoming easier now

 

[iantower]

This is the link I used buddy, easy and works, no pumps or anything.
I didn't use the coke bottle but I used a gallon jug from Walmart, $4 rubbermaid in the water bottle isle.
Works good.
You will need two though because you need the lid from one for shaking up the solution because your one lid will have two holes in it.
Anyways if your using this method and want some more tips let me know.
Cheers!

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/nftt/index.php

 

[teebone110]

teebone if im making 1 gallon worth of kalk to drip how much vinegar should i add to it?

I just put in a "small amount" to help it dissolve... Not sure maybe 1/2 of a cup?

 

[crazybizzle]

okay so after testing everything multiple times to make sure everythings in check and a starting point, am i good to start my drip, heres my numbers:

salinity 1.023

ph 8.25----was super hard probe had 10 diff #'s around that mark, api couldnt tell it looked red, hagen read 8 so lets hope.

calcium 480

dkh/alk 9

ammo 0.10

phos 0
no2 0
no3 0
dont have mag test yet, but u think im good to start my drip..oh ya beat my red slime prob but now ive got brown string slime i heard kalk will help get rid of it to is that true?

 

[shayneh]

Always good for a drip it won't hurt anything if you follow the instructions and will help stabilize the ph. Kalk will bind the phos and cause it to precipitate into the substrate. Once it's out of the water column the cyano will not have a food source. Just have to make sure you get the phos that is in the substrate out with regular water changes.