Kalkwasser drip

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by rtspeed
http:///forum/post/2577638
just fyi Magnesium goes by the salinty of your water, so make sure you are checking that againist it.
Can you go into more detail about that relationship, please. I have not read much on those two being linked. Thanks!

 

[rtspeed]

Okay i hope this sounds good, And sounds right as i am half asleep.
Magnesium plays a important role in a marine enviroment as it is taken up along with cakcium by most animals for the building of their skeletons or shells. Magnesium is the thrid most abundant element in saltwater, after sodium and chloride and approx 3 times the amount of calcium that is very rarely becomes a limiting point in the well being for the animals, particulary when regular water changes are done.
Also to its many biological functions, it serves to prevent the excessive precipitation of cakcium and bicarbonate ,which lowers both the cakcium levels and causes a drop in alkalinty. A low alkalinty makes the tank subject to a sudden drop in pH, which will be most certian death for all tank mates. It is therefore important to ensure that magnesium is maintained at the correct level.
Salinity @ 72' Magnesium level
1.020 1015
1.021 1065
1.022 1120
1.023 1170
1.024 1220
1.025 1270
I hope this help

 

[rtspeed]

I also see that you are thinking of using reef crystal, i find that they are lacking in the element department also, i would look into kent salt mix.

 

[turningtim]

Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/2576823
Does anyone here use vinegar to increase the absorbtion of Kalk by the water? Is it simply unnecessary?
Honestly I can't answer whether it worth it or not. But I add equal parts Kalk and vinegar first and then add to water. I use 4 tsp of Kalk and vinegar to 2 gals of water. I drip 24/7 for top off. Usually drip 1-1.25 gals in a day in my 55 (sps-lps). The only issue I have is a ALK dip every now and then so a bit of buffer is required.
10% WC every week and FWIW I use Tropic Marin salt......
HTH
Tim

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by rtspeed
http:///forum/post/2577912
Okay i hope this sounds good, And sounds right as i am half asleep.
Magnesium plays a important role in a marine enviroment as it is taken up along with cakcium by most animals for the building of their skeletons or shells. Magnesium is the thrid most abundant element in saltwater, after sodium and chloride and approx 3 times the amount of calcium that is very rarely becomes a limiting point in the well being for the animals, particulary when regular water changes are done.
Also to its many biological functions, it serves to prevent the excessive precipitation of cakcium and bicarbonate ,which lowers both the cakcium levels and causes a drop in alkalinty. A low alkalinty makes the tank subject to a sudden drop in pH, which will be most certian death for all tank mates. It is therefore important to ensure that magnesium is maintained at the correct level.
Salinity @ 72' Magnesium level
1.020 1015
1.021 1065
1.022 1120
1.023 1170
1.024 1220
1.025 1270
I hope this help
Is that 72 degrees? At 80 degrees, my salinity has always been 1.024 or 1.025 and our mg levels are around 1100. We do use a refractometer. I think I have read that temperature affects salinity, but my refractometer is supposed to be temperature adjusted automatically. Am I missing something?

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by TurningTim
http:///forum/post/2577952
Honestly I can't answer whether it worth it or not. But I add equal parts Kalk and vinegar first and then add to water. I use 4 tsp of Kalk and vinegar to 2 gals of water. I drip 24/7 for top off. Usually drip 1-1.25 gals in a day in my 55 (sps-lps). The only issue I have is a ALK dip every now and then so a bit of buffer is required.
10% WC every week and FWIW I use Tropic Marin salt......
HTH
Tim
I've had a tub of Kalk for a while, but have only used it a couple times. I'm looking to set up an ATO with Kalk and wanted input from someone that had used vinegar. I've read a lot about it, but never talked to someone that had personally done it. I have to admit I was a little uneasy about adding vinegar to my tank.
Thanks

 

[bang guy]

The Vinegar has 3 benefits.
1 - It allows more Lime to be dissolved into fresh water.
2 - It lowers the PH of the Limewater so it has slightly less effect on the tank when dosed.
3 - It adds CO2 to the tank. This is good because limewater removes CO2 from the aquarium which raises PH. If there's a shortage of CO2 in the tank water then the limewater will produce Calcium carbonate instead of Calcium and Carbonate/Bicarbonate.
The only downside of Vinegar is that Acetate is like candy to bacteria. If you have any type of problem with Cyano then Vinegar will make the problem worse.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2578245
The Vinegar has 3 benefits.
1 - It allows more Lime to be dissolved into fresh water.
2 - It lowers the PH of the Limewater so it has slightly less effect on the tank when dosed.
3 - It adds CO2 to the tank. This is good because limewater removes CO2 from the aquarium which raises PH. If there's a shortage of CO2 in the tank water then the limewater will produce Calcium carbonate instead of Calcium and Carbonate/Bicarbonate.
The only downside of Vinegar is that Acetate is like candy to bacteria. If you have any type of problem with Cyano then Vinegar will make the problem worse.
Thanks.
That's a nice tidbit of information. What about new blooms in a tank without a cyano issue.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/2578294
Thanks.
That's a nice tidbit of information. What about new blooms in a tank without a cyano issue.

If you're on the verge of having a problem then my guess is that Vinegar will start a bloom. The good news is that the effect is short lived so backing off on the amount of vinegar you use will resolve the problem.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2578301
If you're on the verge of having a problem then my guess is that Vinegar will start a bloom. The good news is that the effect is short lived so backing off on the amount of vinegar you use will resolve the problem.

 

[trish&dave]

Well I made a batch of kalk in the pitcher as descibed before, but I have not added to our 5 gallon bucket (2 days old). Is it waste now? If not, should I add a very light touch of vinegar?
Sorry for a dumb question, but what is cyano? I am relatively new and have not experienced or read about that.

 

[trish&dave]

By the way

for all the advise and great posts!!!!!!!!!!

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by trish&dave
http:///forum/post/2578375
Sorry for a dumb question, but what is cyano? I am relatively new and have not experienced or read about that.
There's no such thing as "dumb" questions around here. Here's a link to Wiki about cyanobacteria...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanobacteria

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by trish&dave
http:///forum/post/2578375
Well I made a batch of kalk in the pitcher as descibed before, but I have not added to our 5 gallon bucket (2 days old). Is it waste now? If not, should I add a very light touch of vinegar?
Limewater (Kalkwasser) does slowly degrade as it reacts with CO2. After a couple of days uncovered it will be only slightly less effective. If it has a white "skin" on the water surface then it will last a long time as long as the skin remains intact.
To rejuvinate a batch of limewater just add another 1/2 tsp of lime and give it a brief stir.
Just so I know, what brand of kalk are you using?
Vinegar - I would hold off on the vinegar until you find that topping off with full strength limewater no longer maintains your Calcium and alkalinity levels. The exception would be if you find that the limewater is raising your PH above 8.5.

 

[turningtim]

Per usual Bang is spot on. But cyno is an issue. I have battled it myself but i do like the overall results. Its just a matter of dialing the solution in and drip rate.

 

[rtspeed]

Originally Posted by trish&dave
http:///forum/post/2578144
Is that 72 degrees? At 80 degrees, my salinity has always been 1.024 or 1.025 and our mg levels are around 1100. We do use a refractometer. I think I have read that temperature affects salinity, but my refractometer is supposed to be temperature adjusted automatically. Am I missing something?
Sorry it is supposed to be 82 degrees, and i always test my refractometer with fresh RO before i us it.

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/2578408
Limewater (Kalkwasser) does slowly degrade as it reacts with CO2. After a couple of days uncovered it will be only slightly less effective. If it has a white "skin" on the water surface then it will last a long time as long as the skin remains intact.
To rejuvinate a batch of limewater just add another 1/2 tsp of lime and give it a brief stir.
Just so I know, what brand of kalk are you using?
Vinegar - I would hold off on the vinegar until you find that topping off with full strength limewater no longer maintains your Calcium and alkalinity levels. The exception would be if you find that the limewater is raising your PH above 8.5.
Thanks for all the information. We are using Kent brand Kalk. I guess the dosing has worked at this point. I tested last night and Cal was 425, Alk was 3.0 mg/l and Mag. was 1125. Much better than before. Now if we can just keep it there. I was planning to stop dosing now, add the Kalk to my ATO and see if that maintains the levels until this weekend. This weekend I am going to do two 10% water changes. Should I dose with Liquid Calcium, magnesium (seachem crystals), and a some buffer this evening to get those up a little more or leave it?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by trish&dave
http:///forum/post/2579716
Thanks for all the information. We are using Kent brand Kalk. I guess the dosing has worked at this point. I tested last night and Cal was 425, Alk was 3.0 mg/l and Mag. was 1125. Much better than before. Now if we can just keep it there. I was planning to stop dosing now, add the Kalk to my ATO and see if that maintains the levels until this weekend. This weekend I am going to do two 10% water changes. Should I dose with Liquid Calcium, magnesium (seachem crystals), and a some buffer this evening to get those up a little more or leave it?
Your levels are fine. Adding a little Magnesium won't hurt but it's not urgent.