Kalkwasser with dosing pump

[doppelganger]

I'm having a bit of trouble trying to figure out whether or not there's a rule on dosing kalk on a dosing pump.

 

Little info on my system first. I run a 34G cube and I currently use two 1.1ml/hr dosing pumps to dose 2 part. It works fine but I don't exactly love the cost of 2 part and having to constantly change the timers on them etc. I always like more simplicity. I've dosed kalk before in an ato but it got a little gunky and I didn't like cleaning and worrying about my ato pump getting clogged. Plus always the worry about over dosing the kalk so it didn't last long. Since then I just bit the bullet and got 2 dosing pumps.

 

I know most ppl replace their top of with kalk in their ato but is there any good starting point for a starting dose at night using a dosing pump? Maybe like a rule such as how many ml per gallon or something? Or is it just one of those things where it's trial and error? I feel like I just need a starting point to figure out if 1.1 mL/hr for like 12 hrs at night is even enough to keep my parameters stable.

 

It's been a while since I've read anything on kalk too so if anyone wants to explain how everything stabilizes and dumb it down a bit for me that would be great too Like said, if I dose for 12 hrs at night, and everything stabilizes, I'm assuming alk, calc, pH will all stay around the same. What if I over dose? Will alk and calc rise or stay the same? will pH continue to rise? and if I under dose? I'm feeling dumb and slow today so bare with me.

 

TL:DR = what's a good starting volume (assuming saturated kalk mixture) to dose at night in a 34G mixed system?

[MikeTR]

You need yourself a reef controller.

 

IF pH > 8.4 then OFF

IF pH < 8.2 then ON

 

set and forget

there will be zero risk of overdosing kalk using this method assuming your tank meets the demand for alk/calc and it's the only method I would ever consider.

[doppelganger]

I have a RKL tho I don't have the pH probe and the System lab or wutever they call it. Question is if it's worth the cost of that just for dosing kalk? I don't exactly check pH on a regular basis anymore.

[MikeTR]

You'll definitely need to monitor pH if you're gonna start dosing something that has a pH of 12

[seabass]

Yeah, pH is probably the main concern. You could do it without a controller and pH probe if you wanted, but the controller will keep everything nice and stable.

Depending on how much two part you were using, you might find that kalkwasser isn't entirely capable of replacing two part. So you might have to dose kalk and two part (even more hassle, but it might help to reduce the overall cost). Plus kalkwasser helps maintain a higher pH and helps to reduce phosphate.

I find that kalk helps maintain levels, but isn't as effective in raising levels as two part. So for tanks with minimal consumption rates, kalkwasser is a decent solution before (eventually) two part is needed.

When dripping the clear dissolved solution (not a slurry) at night, there is very little concern of overdosing. However, (I agree with Mike) you still should monitor the pH level throughout the entire day/night so that you understand the effects of dosing (and can make adjustments if necessary).

 

In many cases, the kalk solution can replace your top off water completely. Although I feel it should be dripped (with a dosing pump), and not pumped (with a return pump) into your sump. The other concern is that it reacts with the CO2 in the air. So the solution should be kept covered or it will lose its effectiveness.

[Islandoftiki]

You'll definitely need to monitor pH if you're gonna start dosing something that has a pH of 12

 

Exactly. Time to invest in a pH probe before you start dosing things that can drastically affect your pH.

 

Personally, I dose Kalk in my ATO which has been enough to maintain my calcium levels, but I need to run a dosing pump to maintain my alkalinity.

 

I should point out that I'm using a Tunze ATO which is very sensitive and the chamber that the water level changes in in my Nuvo 30 tank is really small, so it tops of very small amounts regularly. I'm currently at 1 tsp/gallon of kalk with no excessive pH swings.

[doppelganger]

thanks for all the feedback everyone. I'll definitely have to look into it and see whether or not it's worth it. Right now two part is working alright so we'll see how annoyed I get at it. My LFS seems to have gotten some cheaper bulk dry mag, calc, and alk too so that'll probably help with the costs if I stay with that.