Kalk to Carbo calcium

[SoggyNW]

So my tank has run out of track on the Kalk train and I've decided to switch over to Tropic Marin Carbo-calcium. I like the simple one additive solution. But in all of my googling I haven't found any info on how to actually switch from one additive to the other. Can I switch cold turkey or do I need to do it somehow gradually? Each additive has a different Affect on PH, but is it enough that it could cause me a problem? I'm usually around 8.2-8.4.

Tank photo

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I suspect you can switch fairly quickly, but a changeover involving a few days seems reasonable to me.

 

[arking_mark]

So I just augmented my Kalk dosing with AFR (Carbocalcium) as I was at my Kalk limit. I was unable to just add 0.1dKH without some unexpected fluctuations.

I suggest slowly adding it to the tank and monitor...just remember that Alk from Carbocalcium takes time to show up in tank.

 

[SoggyNW]

I appreciate the help. I'm going to try and phase it in over a week and try to keep things stable

 

[Hermie]

How is it working out?

 

[SoggyNW]

How is it working out?

I haven't gotten to setting it up yet. I'm going to start the ball rolling tonight or tomorrow. I'll do my best to document it here.

 

[Hermie]

I just hooked up a dosing pump (about 1ml/min) and an OXO DIY container of Carbo-Calcium. I'm waiting for the digital timers to arrive tomorrow and ill run the dosing pump for about 10 minutes per day. I'll see how the alk levels out and if I need to increase or not. As of now, I just turn on the dosing pump and set a timer and then unplug it.

 

[Shooter6]

So I just augmented my Kalk dosing with AFR (Carbocalcium) as I was at my Kalk limit. I was unable to just add 0.1dKH without some unexpected fluctuations.

I suggest slowly adding it to the tank and monitor...just remember that Alk from Carbocalcium takes time to show up in tank.

First, i think you want to switch to all for reef instead of just carbocalcium. That is because it also contains the mag and 17 trace elements.
Second, both afr and carbocalcium is slow release of alk so its best to start a low dose of either, and monitor the parameters over 24-36hrs. Then start lowering the kalk dising. I am assuming you are using a calk stirrer/doser. Dose a few mls of tropic marin, and lower the doing of kalk slightly.

On my 1200gal system im going to dose all for reef like on my current system. But also going to supplement with kalk for ph control.

 

[SoggyNW]

First, i think you want to switch to all for reef instead of just carbocalcium. That is because it also contains the mag and 17 trace elements.
Second, both afr and carbocalcium is slow release of alk so its best to start a low dose of either, and monitor the parameters over 24-36hrs. Then start lowering the kalk dising. I am assuming you are using a calk stirrer/doser. Dose a few mls of tropic marin, and lower the doing of kalk slightly.

On my 1200gal system im going to dose all for reef like on my current system. But also going to supplement with kalk for ph control.

I agree, except that we can't get all for reef in powder form in the US. Buying the premixed liquid is one of the most expensive options where buying the powder makes it one of the cheapest.

 

[arking_mark]

First, i think you want to switch to all for reef instead of just carbocalcium. That is because it also contains the mag and 17 trace elements.
Second, both afr and carbocalcium is slow release of alk so its best to start a low dose of either, and monitor the parameters over 24-36hrs. Then start lowering the kalk dising. I am assuming you are using a calk stirrer/doser. Dose a few mls of tropic marin, and lower the doing of kalk slightly.

On my 1200gal system im going to dose all for reef like on my current system. But also going to supplement with kalk for ph control.

I am dosing AFR...hence my suggestion.

"I suggest slowly adding it to the tank and monitor...just remember that Alk from Carbocalcium takes time to show up in tank."

 

[Shooter6]

I agree, except that we can't get all for reef in powder form in the US. Buying the premixed liquid is one of the most expensive options where buying the powder makes it one of the cheapest.

Im in the United states. Currently i order the 1600g containers of afr powder from germany. Actually expecting 2 more to arrive any day now.
Secondly its going to be available in the next month or so state side.
Lastly there is a 15000gr (33lbs) container available via special order. The tm U.S. rep confirmed that we will be able to order it via special order from curtain distributors.

 

[Shooter6]

I am dosing AFR...hence my suggestion.

"I suggest slowly adding it to the tank and monitor...just remember that Alk from Carbocalcium takes time to show up in tank."

I agree, except that we can't get all for reef in powder form in the US. Buying the premixed liquid is one of the most expensive options where buying the powder makes it one of the cheapest.

Also in the mean time you can order the diy afr kit from bulk reef and.mix up 10ltr at a time.

 

[arking_mark]

Also in the mean time you can order the diy afr kit from bulk reef and.mix up 10ltr at a time.

Exactly what I did. DIY worked well...

 

[Shooter6]

Exactly what I did. DIY worked well...

Just wait till you get the powdee. 6 level scoops to 1000ml, mixes within 30sec.
The powder is moist by the way. I assume its the added trace elements.

 

[SoggyNW]

Im in the United states. Currently i order the 1600g containers of afr powder from germany. Actually expecting 2 more to arrive any day now.
Secondly its going to be available in the next month or so state side.
Lastly there is a 15000gr (33lbs) container available via special order. The tm U.S. rep confirmed that we will be able to order it via special order from curtain distributors.

It shouldn't been an issue to switch from carbo calcium to all for reef down the road. I got the smaller container of carbo calcium for that reason. The other DIY/bulk options weren't attractive to me with only a 40 gallon tank to use it on.

 

[Shooter6]

It shouldn't been an issue to switch from carbo calcium to all for reef down the road. I got the smaller container of carbo calcium for that reason. The other DIY/bulk options weren't attractive to me with only a 40 gallon tank to use it on.

Be sure to monitor your mag and dose it as needed. Thats 1 of the 2 differences between carbocalcium and afr. Afr has carbocalcium,mag and trace A & k included.

 

[SoggyNW]

Frustrated. I attempted to set up my Kamoer X1 Pro 2 dosing pump and had no success. I followed the instructions but when it gets to the part where you hold down the button to put it into connection mode nothing happens. I've been all over the forum and tried everything I can find and nothing works.

I'll try again tomorrow and then I'm going to return this thing. Surprised BRS sells it, sure doesn't seem to fit their good better best philosophy.

 

[Hermie]

Frustrated. I attempted to set up my Kamoer X1 Pro 2 dosing pump and had no success. I followed the instructions but when it gets to the part where you hold down the button to put it into connection mode nothing happens. I've been all over the forum and tried everything I can find and nothing works.

I'll try again tomorrow and then I'm going to return this thing. Surprised BRS sells it, sure doesn't seem to fit their good better best philosophy.

I just bought the dosing heads+motors and wired them to DC adapters, then the adapters get plugged into digital/mechanical timers

 

[SoggyNW]

I just bought the dosing heads+motors and wired them to DC adapters, then the adapters get plugged into digital/mechanical timers

If I can't get this to work then I'll probably go with a brs doser and digital timer. I had hoped a purpose built all in one solution would be more reliable but we're not off to a good start.

 

[SoggyNW]

Ok so I finally got the pump connected to the app.

First problem was getting the pump into connection mode. The app said to hold the button for 6 seconds, that didn't work. The manual said to hold it for 4 seconds, that also did not work. What did work was holding for 1-2 seconds until the light briefly flicked red and then releasing.

The second issue I ran into was that the app on my phone could not identify my wifi network. On the step where you input the password it showed "unknown ssid". No idea why, I had to dig out an older android phone to do the setup with.

Third the pump still wouldn't connect so I had to unplug the pump and put it back into connect mode when the app asked you to hold the button for 6 seconds.

Finally got it up and connected. I'll report back once I calibrate it and get the reservoir setup.