Need Advice Kalkwasser Solution

chief hill

Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2013
Location
Windsor, Ontario
I'd like to examine adding kalkwasser solution to my tank. I would like to use my 5 gallon ATO to do it. But I have a few questions. Do I just turn off the ATO mix up 5 gallons worth let it settle and run?
Will the solution settle to the bottom of the 5 gallon container? And I'll have to add another pump on a timer to mix?
What would be perfect is just mix throughly and let the ATO add it as necessary.
What do you guys do?
 

EricTMah

Aquariums by Design
Joined
Mar 2, 2014
Location
Kitchener, Ontario
Website
www.aquariumsbydesign.ca
I mix four heaping teaspoons into a 25gal reservoir.

Mix it. Let it settle and turn on my ato. That's it. Don't add a power head to keep it mixed. Kalk should settle and only drip the clear solution after it settles.

In my reservoir. I have my ato set to about 1/2 and inch off the bottom so it only pulls the clear solution. Then once a month. I clean out my reservoir.

Make sure you use RO/DI to mix up the kalk.
 

curiousphil

Super Active Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2013
Location
London, Ontario
I used to add Kalk to my 5 gallon ATO bucket. Just like Eric I would fill my ATO bucket with fresh RO/DI water, add my teaspoon of Kalk, mix it well, let it settle, and then turn on my ATO being sure to keep my hose up off the bottom. I dosed it into the sump right next to the main return pipe.

One hiccup I had: I originally was using a Tom's Aquatic Aqualifter, but it quickly got gummed up due to calcium buildup. I tried cleaning it several times by running vinegar solution through it but it came to a point where I just couldn't rely on it any longer. I switched to one of the BRS parastalic ATO pumps and never had a problem again.

I eventually ditched the Kalk because my calcium and alk demands outgrew what I could get via Kalk, but it worked great for about 8 months.
 

chief hill

Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2013
Location
Windsor, Ontario
Thanks for the advice gents. It should be a simple process then.
The only thing I have to do is lift the pump off the bottom to ensure I don't pump pure condensate from the bottom.
Too Easy thanks for the advice.
 
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