Kip

dad

dad

Active Member
I finally got the kalk drip under control, :)
For the last two days I have been dripping 3 gallons a day(replacing evaporation water) with r/o water mixed with 3 teaspoons ok kalk/viniger.
I tested the r/o water mix and it was off the charts both times.
I just did a test on the tank and it was 180?
I realize that 6 gallons to my 250g+ is not much but just 180?
I was hoping for at least 250 or so?
That is what it tested two days ago.
I hate to be a painin the tank but, :notsure:
 
dad

dad

Active Member
Second question:
Could i add Kalk to my water changes(maybe 3 gallons a day)and drip it in also? I have room in my sump( to do this.
I would be dripping 6 gallons a day instead of 3 that way.
 
T

thomas712

Guest

Originally posted by Kip4130
first off... why have you decided to go ahead and graduate to vinegar?

I remember it took me a while for me to go with the vinegar as well.
I remember very well Kip and Bang helping me through the process.
3--6 gallons per day even for a 200 gal tank sound like alot in a short period of time. Are you losing 3-6 gallons per day evaporation?
Thomas
 
dad

dad

Active Member
I decided to go with the viniger because I read where it helps the co2 that the kalk needs.
I drip the 3g over a 24 hour period. This is how much evaporation I am losing aday.
My Cal was 190 a few days ago and now is 180? It is not raising at all?
No corals at all. About 75% of my lr has purple coroline.
The test were taken at night right before the lights were turned off.
I tried to answer the questions as they were asked. Hope this isn't confusing anyone.
Thanks
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Perhaps he should also check his mag levels now. I think perhaps some water changes will help restore his levels at this point.
 
dad

dad

Active Member
OH MAAAANNN? :thinking:
I will give everything in details later tonight.
I have to go to work now. Thanks everyone.
 
dad

dad

Active Member
this was last tuesday:
alk3.6
ph8.6
nitrite0
amonia0
nitrate5
calc190
mag930
temp80
sg1.024
I dripped 3g a day of r/o water with 6 teaspoons of kalk for 2 days when i found out I was adding
too much kalk and also adding what had settled in the mixing jugs(it killed all my shrooms).
The next day I dripped magnisium instead of kalk.
took readings. all stayed the same except for:
calc 180
mag 1000
(made some mistake on the mag test the first time?()not 1300)
Did nothing the next day but add r/o water.
The next day started dripping 3g a day or r/o water, 2 tablespoons of viniger, and 3 teaspoons of kalk.
Did test last night and all the same readings:
calk 180
mag 1000
I also everyday take 3 gallons out and replace it with water I mix with "instant ocean"
Did a calc test on it of: 450
I feed my tank "bio blend" and a raw shrimp every day.
I have bought two test kits and they read the same.
The water change water test ok so I do not think it is me or the kits.
What can suck up the calcium? I have no corals, just lr and fish?
I could do some MAJOR water changes I guess but would rather find the problem.
Large water changes on a tank this size is not easy and very expensive.
What else can I tell you to help out? I will try to answer any questions you ask.
 
dad

dad

Active Member
Sorry to bother you AGAIN but you may have to treat me as if I were 5 years old. Right now i feel like I am anyways.
My water evaporation is about 3g a day.
I should continue driping it back with r/o water and kalk.
What about the B-ionic? Should i still get it? and if so; how should I drip it?
And the magnisium: Can I drip it with the kalk mix?
Now you see why I feel like a 5 year old at this point.
Most people have problems with nitrates etc.
I can help with those problems. Calcium? I am lost.
Just be patient with me, ok?
 
dad

dad

Active Member
My calc has gone from 190 to 230. My mag has gone up to 1200 from 1000,
My ph is still 8.6. You told me to get some arm and hammer?
I did a search but no clue? How do you suggest I use it to get the ph down?
I am still waiting on the b-ionic to arive so I am using epsons salt right now.
Bang? jump in any time, :joy:
 
shoreliner11

shoreliner11

Active Member
By no means am I an expert but if his pH is at 8.6, won't the high pH precipitate the kalk out of the water. I know that over time the new solution of kalk he is dripping will lower his pH just by not adding so much of a high pH solution, correct? Just trying to figure the situation out as well.:D
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator

Originally posted by dad
Bang? jump in any time, :joy:
Just try increasing waterflow across the top of the aquarium. Do you have a skimmer? Is it big enough?
 
dad

dad

Active Member
I have some new powerheads ordered to increase the water flow.
I have a home made skimmer. It is a downflow and stands 5' tall. It produces around 2 gallons a week. Not sure if I could explain it any more than that, lol
 
dad

dad

Active Member
Ok, got my 2 part b-ionic in today. I diluted it as directed so it will be ready tomarrow.
Here now are my new readings:
alk3.6
ph8.6
nitrite0
amonia0
nitrate5
calc250
mag1400
temp80
sg1.024
Really concerned about the ph. I used a meter and test kit so it is right.
What is recommended now? Use the Kalk as I have with the b-ionic?
What about the arm and hammer?
Don't want to do anything wrong here,
:nervous:
 
neoreef

neoreef

Member
Kip and Dad,
What do you think about quitting the Kalk for a while and dripping the Ca part of B-ionic in your top off.. Since you need to increase calcium, and your pH is high. Adding CaOH (or CaO-) in Kalkwasser may be increasing your pH. Am I on the right track?
:notsure:
 
dad

dad

Active Member
I am going to bed also and will get back to this tomarrow.
Two of my power heads stopped so my top water movement is very low. it has been for three weeks.
I am testing the ph at the end on my lighting. I am running 2-48" 50/50 and 2-48"actinics 10 hours a day and a 400w MH 8 hours.
My fuge is a 55g with a 60w regular bulb 24/7.
I use a 6" fan that only exhaust the air when the light are on; none blowing across the top water.
Skimmer?yes.
Mixing kalk? as you directed. 3 teaspoons with 3 gallons due to evap. I have also been adding epsons salt to raise magnisium.
Dosing the kalk mix at a rate of 3 gallons on a time period of about 20 hours.
Thanks again!
 
dad

dad

Active Member
Ok. adding another timer tonight.
I will ask my wife to get some readings in the morning and afternoon on the ph.
What about the b-ionic?
Start using it?
As you can see by the time frame; I am not home much right now.
If you do not care; I will start a new thread next time.
This one is getting somewhat cluttered.
 
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