Have I exceed saturation for Kalkwasser

[IPT]

I erroneously though the measure was 1 TBSP per gallon.

I had been doing 5 TBSP per 7 gallons (the size of the container) but recently increased it to 7 TBSP per 7 gallons (1 TBSP per gallon). I think that is just a waste because I am beyond the full saturation amount. is that correct?

How may TBSP per gallon would be the max for full saturation?

 

[Miami Reef]

I think that is just a waste because I am beyond the full saturation amount. is that correct?

It’s not a waste. The undissolved portion will redissolve once more water is added.

Having some undissolved portion on the bottom ensures the solution is fully saturated.

 

[ryshark]

I erroneously though the measure was 1 TBSP per gallon.

I had been doing 5 TBSP per 7 gallons (the size of the container) but recently increased it to 7 TBSP per 7 gallons (1 TBSP per gallon). I think that is just a waste because I am beyond the full saturation amount. is that correct?

How may TBSP per gallon would be the max for full saturation?

2 tsp per gallon is the max saturation. There are 3 tsp per 1 tbsp.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I almost always had excess left, and sometimes I didn't add any, just stirred up the old white stuff for a new batch!

Teaspoons and tablespoons per gallon are a little vague since different brands have different fluffiness (called bulk density), but 2 level teaspoons per gallon is the often quoted saturating amount. 2 level teaspoons is 2/3 of a level tablespoon.

And for you Brits out there, yes, teaspoons is a real unit of measure in the USA. lol

 

[Reefer1978]

And for you Brits out there, yes, teaspoons is a real unit of measure in the USA. lol

Which flavor? Ikea or Amazon? :-)

 

[IPT]

It’s not a waste. The undissolved portion will redissolve once more water is added.

Having some undissolved portion on the bottom ensures the solution is fully saturated.

Maybe, but if I am constantly adding a TSP too much every time it will just build up an excess well beyond what is needed. If I leave whats there and dose at max dosage that'll work. Based on the other response I need to reduce my dosage a tad.

 

[IPT]

Ok, so check my Math.

2 Tsp per gallon for saturation.

I'm using 7 gallons so that would be a max of 14 Tsp for that volume.

2 Tsp is .66 of 1 TBSP, so, .66 (size) x 14 (total allowable amount in Tsp) = 9.33 TBSP.

Yeah? So I actually still have a little room to go up.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok, so check my Math.

2 Tsp per gallon for saturation.

I'm using 7 gallons so that would be a max of 14 Tsp for that volume.

2 Tsp is .66 of 1 TBSP, so, .66 (size) x 14 (total allowable amount in Tsp) = 9.33 TBSP.

Yeah? So I actually still have a little room to go up.

No. 14 teaspoons is 4.7 tablespoons.

 

[IPT]

No. 14 teaspoons is 4.7 tablespoons.

Thank you! The goodness I don't need to do calculations or a living. I see what I did. It should have been 14 x .33 (not .66). Yikes.

One more question then. I am going through a lot of KalK everyday. I just raised the amount to full saturation. If I recalibrate my pumps so I know the volume I am adding what formula do I use to determine my daily consumption?

I suspect I will need to start supplementing with 2 part (or get a bigger KALK container - which actually might not be a bad idea so I have redundancy).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you! The goodness I don't need to do calculations or a living. I see what I did. It should have been 14 x .33 (not .66). Yikes.

One more question then. I am going through a lot of KalK everyday. I just raised the amount to full saturation. If I recalibrate my pumps so I know the volume I am adding what formula do I use to determine my daily consumption?

I suspect I will need to start supplementing with 2 part (or get a bigger KALK container - which actually might not be a bad idea so I have redundancy).

You can use this calculator to determine how much alk and calcium you are dosing. Note that limewater is kalkwasser in English.

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