Kalkwasser?

[novice]

Hi, I just started maintaining a reef tank. Thanks to "Burn N Spy" info and other's info on this web, I was able to start my 125 gallon reef tank w/out any complications. However, I can't say the same for the hair algae. But, two weeks ago, I purchased the "Monster package" deal and boy was it a monster. These criters can really eat yet I still have more on the live rocks. So, someone suggest I use Kalkwasser to help remove these hair algae. I'm a bit confuse? I thought the use of Kalkwasser was to achieve a certain calcium level for corals..etc. Since I only have mushrooms, umbrella mushrooms, critters, six line wrasse and cleaner shrimps, is this necessary? Please give suggestions. Thanks..

 

[nm reef]

Not an expert by any means...but...the suggestion to use kalkwasser may be in reference to kalkwassers ability to precipitate phosphates from your system....phosphates are one of several contributing factors in hair algae blooms.
What type of water do you use for changes and top off? What are your water levels(ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/calcium/alkalinity/ph/temp)
Post info on your lighting...type and lenght its on....the more info you post the better help you'll be able to get.

 

[predator]

NM REEF is right.It will help you prevent somw algea but is'nt gonna' get rid of what you got.Are you using tap water?That will cause some crazy algea growth.What sre your phosphates like?

 

[starfishjackedme]

I agree strongly with not using tap water in your reef. Also, I think Kalk will be of great benefit to your setup. It has in my 200gal reef. The purple will explode after the intitial algae bloom. I added 155 snails and 35 blue-leg hermits that mowed the algae down in a week. Yours should do the same. I sold some back to the lfs afterward.
[ December 24, 2001: Message edited by: starfishjackedme ]

 

[burnnspy]

I believe NM reef is correct in suggesting PO4 is the reason Kalk was suggested. RO water is the only way to go in a reef tank.
BurnNSpy

 

[novice]

Let me begin,
I have 2(6' phillips 160W VHO), 1(250W Iwasaki 65K). In addition, I have a hang-on Ecosystem40 refugium w/ it's own light, and a dual sump(11gal each) powered by a mag drive 1200. I also have a downdraft protein skimmer powered by a mag drive 700. In the tank, there are 4 power heads, 2( maxi jet 500) and 2( rio 2500). All in all, the parameters for nitrite,nitrate,phosphate...etc are normal. I use Salifert testing kit and, at the moment, I'm not using RO waters. My temp stays around 75-78F and the salinity ~1.022. I definitely know that I will need an RO/DI later in the future but as of now, faucet will have to do. Happy holiday's and Thanks fellas,...

 

[dad]

Yepper, Tap water is the worst thing you can use.
I really suggest that you buy distilled water. Infact most lfs's have water,

 

[burnnspy]

Tap water is a bad choice because there are many toxic elements that can be present and are not usually measured by a reef keeper. In the case of heavy metals(lead, mercury, etc), they will accumulate as the tank matures due to water changes.
BurnNSpy

 

[vkesu]

Be sure you are using Amquel in the tap water. It must be used to be safe. I have been using tap water w/Amquel for the last year. We got an algae bloom when we changed over, but the clean up crew and small weekly water changes have kept my reef looking great. (Maybe I'm lucky?)