Need some hlep with Kalk dosing

[flower]

I have been dosing by hand...alkalinity booster to stablize my PH, without the booster my PH drops. Calcium always tests low. I was told that dripping Kalk will stablize my PH and keep the calcium levels up. If I have misunderstood any of the above...PLEASE enlighten me. Everything I'm about to try and do hinges on this information
I'm notorious for misunderstanding.
Okay, I ordered a drip Kalkwasser 2.5g...well the store called me, and it was discontinued. So he offered me an auto doser computer thingy. To say I'm lost on how to do this is an understatement.
Stats on the gizmo are:

• 
  Automatic micro-computer control
• 
  with Calibration function
• 
  Long lasting durable dosing tube
  Powerful consumption when running: 202w (????)
  Flow: 1 - 99ml per cycle
  Cycle: Max:1 Cycke per hour....................Min: 1 cycle for 9 days

I have kents kalkwasser mix. (CALCIUM HYDROXIDE) It also talks about the top crust layer, and the bottom sediment layer...I know I need the clear liquid from the middle..THAT'S ALL I KNOW. From the way the instructions read...
Do I need a clear container so I can see the layers?
Can I skim the top layer, and will that be good enough as long as it does not allow the bottom layer to be sucked up?
I "THINK"..one tube goes in a holding tank with my mix in it, and the other tube goes to the tank (sump) I don't have an auto top off on this tank. The doser has a computer, and I don't "THINK" I need an auto top off to use it.
Please correct me if I'm wrong...
I will plug in the gizmo after I have a holding container of the liquid I desire to dose. I will start with 1ml an hour to see if that will match my evaporation (at that dose I'm sure it will not go over)...if it isn't enough, I can up the amount per dose as days continue. I will add my regular top off (if it is set too low) until I have tweaked it to my satisfaction on evaporation.
IF that is correct...let me know, because I won't do a thing until I get a go ahead.
More questions....
1. How long can the mixed kalkwasser be kept in the tub before I need to replace it?
2. Do I add a power head to mix the kalk and remove it after, then let it settle??? If so how long do I mix it?? or Do I swish it by hand a few times, and that will be enough, then let it settle in layers????
Thanks for your time and any advice.

 

[geoj]

I have been dosing by hand...alkalinity booster to stablize my PH, without the booster my PH drops. Calcium always tests low. I was told that dripping Kalk will stablize my PH and keep the calcium levels up. If I have misunderstood any of the above...PLEASE enlighten me. Everything I'm about to try and do hinges on this information

I'm notorious for misunderstanding.


Okay, I ordered a drip Kalkwasser 2.5g...well the store called me, and it was discontinued. So he offered me an auto doser computer thingy. To say I'm lost on how to do this is an understatement.

Stats on the gizmo are:

• Automatic micro-computer control
• with Calibration function
• Long lasting durable dosing tubePowerful consumption when running: 202w (????)Flow: 1 - 99ml per cycleCycle: Max:1 Cycke per hour....................Min: 1 cycle for 9 days

I have kents kalkwasser mix. (CALCIUM HYDROXIDE) It also talks about the top crust layer, and the bottom sediment layer...I know I need the clear liquid from the middle..THAT'S ALL I KNOW. From the way the instructions read...
Do I need a clear container so I can see the layers?
Can I skim the top layer, and will that be good enough as long as it does not allow the bottom layer to be sucked up?

I "THINK"..one tube goes in a holding tank with my mix in it, and the other tube goes to the tank (sump) I don't have an auto top off on this tank. The doser has a computer, and I don't "THINK" I need an auto top off to use it.

Please correct me if I'm wrong...
I will plug in the gizmo after I have a holding container of the liquid I desire to dose. I will start with 1ml an hour to see if that will match my evaporation (at that dose I'm sure it will not go over)...if it isn't enough, I can up the amount per dose as days continue. I will add my regular top off (if it is set too low) until I have tweaked it to my satisfaction on evaporation.

IF that is correct...let me know, because I won't do a thing until I get a go ahead.

More questions....
1. How long can the mixed kalkwasser be kept in the tub before I need to replace it?
2. Do I add a power head to mix the kalk and remove it after, then let it settle??? If so how long do I mix it?? or Do I swish it by hand a few times, and that will be enough, then let it settle in layers????

Thanks for your time and any advice.

Yep sounds like you have it well in hand. Use the auto doser computer thingy to top off your water without the kalkwasser till you have it figured out. What is the name and model?
You will still find need to adjust the chemistry whether by water changes or dosing just less often.

 

[geoj]

When I top up the mix tub it becomes stirred and I do it every two or three days. So I don't use an auto stirrer and I get by just fine. I put a line in so that it stays above the white mix that has not dissolve so not to suck it up.

 

[geoj]

When things are going right I can keep pH at 8.2-8.3 day light and 7.9- 8.0 night. You have to keep an eye on it all because it can go bad quick if the computer reads pH wrong...
As long as Mag, Alk, and Cal is in line Kalk helps keep the pH up.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I have never used one of those big computerized thingy-ma-jigs, and I've always gotten by just fine. I use a 2-3 gallon glass pickle jar. The lid has a hole drilled in the top tight enough for an airline tube to get a good seal, and I use teflon tape around the threads of the jar for a nice tight seal. I dose the right amount of kalkwasser, and stir it with a wooden spoon for about 30 seconds and let it settle for anywhere from 2 hours (really too soon) to overday (opposite of overnight, lol) and get the airline tube as close to the bottom as I can and then put the air line tube on a gang valve to drip very, very slowly overnight. For my little 20g, I'm going to be using a much smaller pickle jar. You could also use cellophane(sp?) to cover the top instead of a drilled metal top if you prefer.
Cats and kalkwasser - Eric Borneman said that he had a cat that had urinary problems and he kept taking him to the vet here and there because of it. Come to find out, the cat was drinking water out of the kalkwasser water bottle! So keep that kalkwasser water covered!

 

[flower]

Thanks Geo...using it as an auto top off until I get the hang of it is a great idea.
I'm a little confussed, about post #4....My cal is low and so is the PH, I have been dosing alk booster to keep PH up and dosing calcium as well. I THOUGHT the Kalk would stablize cal, alk and PH. But your post says if all the others are in the right range then it will keep the PH up...please clarify for me.
Snake...A pickle jar is abundant...only IF you eat pickles...LOL... I have to cover anything to my fish tanks...the dogs shed so bad... I brush them but it doesn't seem to matter. The house will look clean and then I vacuum...the amount of hair is awful.
I WAS going to use the same method you do, but I was purchasing the container that came with an IV drip....they no longer carry that, so I went with the fancy gizmo.

 

[tur4k]

Kalk will stabilze cal, alk and PH, but I think what he was saying is that they need to balanced to begin with. If your calc is high and alk is low (or vice-versa) then dripping kalk won't fix that because you tank needs more of one than the other.

 

[geoj]

Kalk will stabilze cal, alk and PH, but I think what he was saying is that they need to balanced to begin with. If your calc is high and alk is low (or vice-versa) then dripping kalk won't fix that because you tank needs more of one than the other.

You are correct Ser. CALCIUM HYDROXIDE is more concentrated then the other calcium additives and it has both calcium and carbonate but it has no MAG so when the mag gets low it becomes hard to keep calcium and carbonates up and you add more and more CALCIUM HYDROXIDE thinking that is how to fix it when you need mag...

 

[acrylic51]

Flower when is your PH dropping/fluctuating???? When are you dosing?????

 

[snakeblitz33]

I love chemistry. lol!

 

[snakeblitz33]

I think we have some articles on calcium, pH, alkalinity and magnesium in the new hobbyist forum that can be quite helpful. There's also a book by Julian Sprung, The Reef Aquarium, Vol 3. That gives the exact chemical science behind the reactions and then simplifies it all for the average aquarist.
As stated, you should test your aquariums water for calcium, pH, and alkalinity before you dose kalkwasser. If your calcium and alkalinity is not equal, then you will have to dose either a calcium supplement or an alkalinity supplement (baking soda) to bring up one of the levels before you can dose kalk. Kalkwasser brings Calcium, Alkalinity and pH up all at the same time. Kalkwasser has a pH of 9.6 - 9.8, that's why you have to dose it in small doses or on a drip - so you don't shoot your pH up too high.
I only dosed my tanks six days a week with kalkwasser and on Sundays, I dripped in baking soda solution to keep my alkalinity stable while excess calcium was being used. On Monday mornings I would test my water to see where my tank stood before dosing again.

 

[flower]

(last few tests, 8.2)
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/387958/need-some-hlep-with-kalk-dosing#post_3417880
Flower when is your PH dropping/fluctuating???? When are you dosing?????
Okay...boy Geo, now I'm not sure what to do.
For years I have dosed a tiny amount of Alk booster in my top off water. I was told it stablizes the PH, (last few tests read 8.2)...my Calcium is forever low. I was told to dose Kalwasser (someone I trust on this site) that if I dosed kalk it would stablize the PH, and keep Cal up...the magic fix it stuff from the sound of it.

 

[snakeblitz33]

If your alkalinity is at 8.2 and your calcium is low, you could probably start dosing kalk. Alkalinity can get as high a 12 dKh before running into problems.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387958/need-some-hlep-with-kalk-dosing#post_3417923
If your alkalinity is at 8.2 and your calcium is low, you could probably start dosing kalk. Alkalinity can get as high a 12 dKh before running into problems.
30g Sea horse tank, not the 90g reef.
My PH is 8.2
My alkalinity is 2.3.... KH said 8 a few months back, but I no longer have a KH kit, only the alk.
Calcium was 380
Phosphates 0
Nitrates 0
Magnesium was 1350...I have not tested in the last 2 weeks and I'm due. I have been dosing Mag and I have to keep on top of it...the golden number is 1600 but it takes time to raise it thet high.

 

[acrylic51]

Flower.....Your PH isn't bad or an issue.....8.2 is a good PH........I can't recall off the top of my head, but I remember a while ago Bang talking about how to adjust levels without impacting others significantly.......

 

[geoj]

 (last few tests, 8.2)
 
Okay...boy Geo, now I'm not sure what to do.
 
 
For years I have dosed a tiny amount of Alk booster in my top off water. I was told it stablizes the PH, (last few tests read 8.2)...my Calcium is forever low. I was told to dose Kalwasser (someone I trust on this site) that if I dosed kalk it would stablize the PH, and keep Cal up...the magic fix it stuff from the sound of it.
Kalk sounds like it will help you. It is a good Calcium additive.
Let me make it simple kalk will maintain the levels and is good at raising pH. So if you do a big water change and get things back to normal.You can then start to drip kalk when pH drops. This will keep things up for months before a need to do a water change. I think this is better then having to do, bi-weekly water changes.
Thin if you can learn to adjust the alk and calcium. You go and make small adjustments to keep things closer as calcium and alk start to drift to far apart.
I like the way it is explained in the book Marine Chemistry by: Brightwell

 

[geoj]

Flower.....Your PH isn't bad or an issue.....8.2 is a good PH........I can't recall off the top of my head, but I remember a while ago Bang talking about how to adjust levels without impacting others significantly.......
I think acrylic brings up a good point and as I see it if what you have been doing is working well why change.

 

[tur4k]

On a side note, many people believe that dripping kalk also reduces phosphates in your tank. Just another possible added bonus of dripping kalk.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/387958/need-some-hlep-with-kalk-dosing#post_3417943
Flower.....Your PH isn't bad or an issue.....8.2 is a good PH........I can't recall off the top of my head, but I remember a while ago Bang talking about how to adjust levels without impacting others significantly.......
Acrylic, my PH is not an issue because I buffer my top off water, and have been buffering my top off water for the last 6 years at least. I was just explaining the reason that I have been buffering with alk all these years is to keep PH up.
LOL...now it is being hailed as a phosphate remover too.
Geo you ask, hy change? Because I would have the added bonus of keeping my calcium at a reasonable level, that liquid calcium stuff is expensive, and the alk levels are not consistant, sometimes it's too high. My hopes are to make a more regular steady chemistry with less additives. Right now I buffer with two things almost constantly. If I drip kalk...that is all I would do.
When I had an ATO I used to buffer that water and let it go...that was sweet freedom. I could not however buffer the calcium, I still had that to do. It sounds like I can do it again but with kalkwasser and eliminate the calcium dosing...of course now I have a $50.00 jug of liquid calcium that I would no longer need.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoJ http:///t/387958/need-some-hlep-with-kalk-dosing#post_3418017
Kalk sounds like it will help you. It is a good Calcium additive.
Let me make it simple kalk will maintain the levels and is good at raising pH. So if you do a big water change and get things back to normal.You can then start to drip kalk when pH drops. This will keep things up for months before a need to do a water change. I think this is better then having to do, bi-weekly water changes.
Thin if you can learn to adjust the alk and calcium. You go and make small adjustments to keep things closer as calcium and alk start to drift to far apart. ????
I like the way it is explained in the book Marine Chemistry by: Brightwell
This 56g is a new tank...the chemistry is as perfect as boxed salt mix can make it. I would like to maintain it that way.
I don't have that book, and I doubt I would understand it anyway...such books are in professor speak that Florida Joe and Spanko can understand... Poor Spanko has attempted many times to explain it to me...I just don't get it. I know what the numbers should be...the rest is a mystery.