How long do i let Kalkwasser Mix settle???

[sltwtrfan]

I just mixed some DI water with kalkwasser mix.... It says to let stand for several hours.
my question:
How long is a several hours?????? What are your strategies/opinions? :help:

 

[frankthetank]

I would think at least 12 hours. I don't use this stuff... but anytime I mix saltwater, I let it stand overnight.

 

[sltwtrfan]

wow, really? when i do my weekly water changes i just make sure the salt is fully dissolved and pour a little in at a time. I only do about 10-15% water change a week though.
I dont think 12 hours qualifies as "several hours" like the label says. seems like maybe more along the lines of 3 to 5. but i'm not sure, that's why i need help!!!

 

[cjason3041]

no, you should let SW settle at least overnight....i do 24 hours minimum...or a week sealed in a container, which i airate before use

 

[sltwtrfan]

i guess i will do that next time. but it says on the back of the salt also that it can be added immediately.... anyway, i need help with the KALKWASSER MIX... HOW LONG DO I LET THAT STAND?

 

[chilwil84]

i let my kalk sit for at least 24hrs because i make a new batch when i fill my dripper i dont know what the time effects but just be careful not to let the settled particles get in your dripper

 

[viper_930]

The waiting time is just so the undissolved particles settle to the bottom before you start dripping. I usually just mix up the solution pretty good and let it sit for a half hour or so before beginning the drip.

 

[sltwtrfan]

cool. i guess i'll just do that... It has been sitting for about 2 hours now. maybe give it another hour or two just to try it out. thanks for everyones help.
open for more discussion....

 

[sltwtrfan]

bump

 

[aztec reef]

i mix my love potion. for a couple hours with powerheads then i take the powerheads out and let it sit overnight and start the drip the next morning. it's not necesary buy i have the equipment ,time and patience so i wouldn't change it..

 

[jhuggins]

You really don't want to add the white power to your talk. It is best to wait until is has settled down. I like mine fresh so I add it every day. I use an old one gallon water bottle. In the morning i mix it up and then before bed I drip it in. It seems to work well for me. My tank is a 40 gallon but I have allot of current plus I don't have a lid so I have a lot of watter loss.

 

[bang guy]

You can start dripping right away but it's slightly better to wait until the water is clear.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by Aztec Reef
i mix my love potion. for a couple hours with powerheads then i take the powerheads out and let it sit overnight and start the drip the next morning. it's not necesary buy i have the equipment ,time and patience so i wouldn't change it..
I'd recommend mixing it a lot less. A good stir for 5 - 10 seconds is all it should need and the more it's stirred the more CO2 is introduced. CO2 reacts with limewater and produces Calcium carbonate. This is what settles on the bottom of the container and also what the thin film on top of the limewater is made of. The sooner the film is allowed to form the more useful the limewater will be.

 

[sltwtrfan]

thanks for all your help....
always open for more opinions!

 

[aztec reef]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
I'd recommend mixing it a lot less. A good stir for 5 - 10 seconds is all it should need and the more it's stirred the more CO2 is introduced. CO2 reacts with limewater and produces Calcium carbonate. This is what settles on the bottom of the container and also what the thin film on top of the limewater is made of. The sooner the film is allowed to form the more useful the limewater will be.
i use kalkwasser, doest it really make a differance if you mix it for like an hour or two? versus mixing it for 5-10 seconds.
i guess what my question is, is it really useless? cause i still get the calcium carbonate in bottom/top.
if i start to mix for only ten minutes
what type of differance would i see in the limewater? will it be more productive?
can you share a couple more cents?

 

[gwh57]

Originally Posted by Aztec Reef
i use kalkwasser, doest it really make a differance if you mix it for like an hour or two? versus mixing it for 5-10 seconds.
i guess what my question is, is it really useless? cause i still get the calcium carbonate in bottom/top.
if i start to mix for only ten minutes
what type of differance would i see in the limewater? will it be more productive?
can you share a couple more cents?

The point here is that any excessive mixing is counter productive. It only needs mixing long enough to distribute the lime all throughout the water.
Some stir for a few seconds and others (like me) powerhead for a few (5) minutes. Then let it settle and use as needed.

 

[aztec reef]

the point here is , what differance does it make?

 

[gwh57]

Originally Posted by Aztec Reef
the point here is , what differance does it make?

I think you already know the answer to that.

In short it degrades the lime water.

 

[aztec reef]

how much so?
so if i mix it for only 5-10 seconds i should see a higher calcium/alk levels?
will the percipitation be thicker than normal on top/bottom of container?

 

[gwh57]

If you want to know more about mixing and using limewater Google "The Degradation of Limewater". There are many articles on the web about this topic.