Kalkwasser and Alk Dosing....Im Getting Annoyed

[DarthChaos]

Anyone adding kalk (dose or drip) and still dosing Alk?

How do you keep your Alk dosing stable?

Issue is, the kalkwasser gets used up. I've been dripping kalk for about a year now - and I have to add more, each week...as it's potency drops off (as you can see). Well - I end up adjusting my Alk to compensate. Alk drops - as my kalk wears off....

Then - when I add new kalk, I have to again - adjust my alk dosing to compensate. I'm always adjusting my alk dosing and I'm starting to get annoyed of doing this!

Thoughts? Do I just set my Alk dosage and ride out the subtle, yet enevitable Alk swing?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Are you dosing kalk with a stirrer?

 

[DarthChaos]

Are you dosing kalk with a stirrer?

Yes. Using an Avast Stirrer hooked up to a Kamoer stepper pump.

I'm dripping 24/7. Basically matched evaporation - at this point. The pH boost from the kalkwasser has been fantastic - but I'm now stuck on a Alk rollercoaster...and I wanna get off

 

[Ironfish]

Can you add a PH probe inside that reactor?
That changed the game for me. As soon as ph starts to drops inside the reactor you know you need to add more kalk.
I use a Geos Kalk Reactor.

 

[IntrinsicReef]

I don't worry about the alk stability too much. I match evaporation with Kalkwasser like you and dose soda ash at night to help level out the pH swing . Corals should be happy with the pH range you are in.

 

[Garf]

and I wanna get off

Lol. Dosing straight from a settled reservoir should get you off.

 

[DarthChaos]

Can you add a PH probe inside that reactor?
That changed the game for me. As soon as ph starts to drops inside the reactor you know you need to add more kalk.
I use a Geos Kalk Reactor.

See - I've got it down to a science...every Friday - I add about 1/2 cup of kalk. Ph & Alk - climb.

The issue I've found is simply.....Kalk isn't fixed like Alk is.

I just want the pH boost and Alk stable....lol - but maybe too much to ask?

 

[DarthChaos]

I don't worry about the alk stability too much. I match evaporation with Kalkwasser like you and dose soda ash at night to help level out the pH swing . Corals should be happy with the pH range you are in.

Well, to swings are pretty big....Id say 2 point throughout the week? Suble, but I'd really love to have more stability - without needing to fiddle with the alk dosage constantly.

 

[DarthChaos]

Do I just say....to hell with it - and resign to the fact that I'll need to just adjust my Alk dosage, to compensate, as the kalk potency wears off?

Seems like my only real option and choice to keep the Alk somewhat stable.

 

[IntrinsicReef]

Well, to swings are pretty big....Id say 2 point throughout the week? Suble, but I'd really love to have more stability - without needing to fiddle with the alk dosage constantly.

Personally, I like to keep it from going below 8.1. What is your alk? The .2 pH daily swing is comparable to my systems. I see your pH drift during the week though

 

[IntrinsicReef]

Never mind. I see it now on the trident. Honestly, things look pretty good to me. I top off Kalwasser once a week and get some pH drift. How are your corals?

 

[DarthChaos]

Never mind. I see it now on the trident. Honestly, things look pretty good to me. I top off Kalwasser once a week and get some pH drift. How are your corals?

Ya, the pH swings are ok. It's the basically 2 point Alk swings thru out the week - I'd I dont adjust the Alk dosing, I'm trying to sort out.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Potency is an issue with kalk stirrers that is solved by a settled reservoir, but they can take up more space.

 

[IntrinsicReef]

Well, I am not going to tell you how to chase the alk stability because I don't do it. I just aim for a 8.1- 8.4 pH range and try to minimize the swing dosing carbonate buffer at night. I am definitely in the minority by not caring about stable alk. Sometimes I measure it and it is 8, and sometimes it is 10. I have found that the Tridents throw their calibration quickly and after installing 4 of them, I don't really trust them.

 

[DarthChaos]

Potency is an issue with kalk stirrers that is solved by a settled reservoir, but they can take up more space.

Agreed. Thats the problem...Kalk isn't fixed like Alk. I'm losing potency, as the week goes on.

Seems like the route I've chosen - simply requires more constant attention, to prevent those big Alk swings.

 

[DarthChaos]

Well, I am not going to tell you how to chase the alk stability because I don't do it. I just aim for a 8.1- 8.4 pH range and try to minimize the swing dosing carbonate buffer at night. I am definitely in the minority by not caring about stable alk. Sometimes I measure it and it is 8, and sometimes it is 10. I have found that the Tridents throw their calibration quickly and after installing 4 of them, I don't really trust them.

Thats another option.

I was thinking just SET the alk dosage - and let it be. It's go up/down...but itll be slow and natural (ish). I may try this and see what happens.

I have had a lot of positive results with the Trident (I know the stories) - so I count myself as a lucky one. I do trust its numbers.

 

[IntrinsicReef]

Thats another option.

I was thinking just SET the alk dosage - and let it be. It's go up/down...but itll be slow and natural (ish). I may try this and see what happens.

I have had a lot of positive results with the Trident (I know the stories) - so I count myself as a lucky one. I do trust its numbers.

That is similar to what I do. Just adjust for longer term coral consumption changes.

 

[DarthChaos]

That is similar to what I do. Just adjust for longer term coral consumption changes.

Seems to be what a few ppl do, without any issues. Since the Alk is slowing rolling up & down - not fast spikes, there seems to be little effect on corals.

I'll give this a shot. I feel like I've got my kalk dialed on - and the pH boost has been fantastic. Just wanted to see if I could get the Alk more stable, but seems like the way I'm adding kalk, just isn't a reality.

 

[Coolcasino]

Have you tried the Apex Dos controlled dosing? It does exactly what you are looking to do.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Agreed. Thats the problem...Kalk isn't fixed like Alk. I'm losing potency, as the week goes on.

Seems like the route I've chosen - simply requires more constant attention, to prevent those big Alk swings.

Can you use a settled reservoir like Randy suggested?