Dosing kalk

[wasabi bean]

Hi all,
I have had this tank running 2 and a bit months now after upgrading from a 1 year old nano cube, the new system is 65 gallons and i only have two small sps and a couple lps and have found my calcium is still dropping, i have done some research and some said 1ml per litre or less for a new setup. Would you think 200 or so ml of kalk would do to maintain levels, obviously i will test a lot but want a rough initial idea, also with the smaller amounts would this be able to be dosed non continuously like 1 ml a minute as i dont think my pump can do continuous pumping. Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi all,
I have had this tank running 2 and a bit months now after upgrading from a 1 year old nano cube, the new system is 65 gallons and i only have two small sps and a couple lps and have found my calcium is still dropping, i have done some research and some said 1ml per litre or less for a new setup. Would you think 200 or so ml of kalk would do to maintain levels, obviously i will test a lot but want a rough initial idea, also with the smaller amounts would this be able to be dosed non continuously like 1 ml a minute as i dont think my pump can do continuous pumping. Thanks

You can use this calculator to determine the alk and calcium added by limewater/kalkwasser

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html

 

[Beruka]

I have run kalk for years with good success. In fact I just really on Kalk, IO Reef Crystals 10-20% water changes while cleaning, and raise potassium occasionally to 420ppm. I'd rather spend money on salt than array of additives.

A lot of people are scared of it long term. I dose with BRS 50 ml/min peristaltic pump hooked to a Apex. I have never had the OSC function on this controller fail. I can share dosing program if interested. It has pH shut off. I really don't use calculator. I just adjust OSC function by estimation and keep tank 150-160 ppm alkalinity.