Kalkwasser through an auto top-off?

[salty2275]

I'd like to start using kalkwasser at night for my replacement water. But, I have a Tunze automatic top-off system. It maintains my salinity PERFECTLY :cheer: and I really love it. Is it safe to run kalk through an auto top-off system? Or, would I need to drip it at night only through another route?

 

[hurt]

I'm not familiar with the set up of the Tunze ATO, but I always(24/7) drip kalk through my gravity fed ATO. Mine has no powerhead or switches though, just a simple float valve.

 

[acrylic51]

If you go back to the instruction booklet of the Tunze top off unit it does specify that running kalk through the little metering pump will greatly shorten it's life span.......I think you might be able to get away with it, if you religious about soaking and cleaning the pump in vinegar to prevent buildup, but the idea of adding kalk is to drip it slowly into your system. People do top off that way with Kalk, but I think it would be more effective if dripped.....JMO

 

[teen]

i just started whats called a kalk slurry. it was started by anthony calfo and pretty much you just take your normal amout of kalk powder in a glass, add some tank water and dump it in the tank in an area of high flow. you do it at night so your ph doesnt go out of wack. it makes your water cloudy for a bit though, but no ill side effects.
easier than putting it through an auto top off, or dripping over night.

 

[psusocr1]

wow , i would be afraid to do that, as i would think it would thropw your levels crazy out of whack for awhile and it would make a very serious increase in alk and calcium real quick
but then again it is anthny caflo

 

[acrylic51]

I've done the "quick add" method, but prefer to drip.....As long as your dose is right it shouldn't really matter.......

 

[teen]

i like the quick add method, its easier than setting up my drip and all. th only problem i can see is that possibly all the kalk mix will not be absorbed and i will eventually get a layer of it at the bottom of my sump. even if it does happen, i vaccuum my sump during water changes so no problems there.