Kalkwasser Brand Debate

[Merge_595]

Since I've started using Kalkwasser around 2019 I've always used BRS Kalkwasser. Like many other's after all the changes with BRS I figured let me see if I can find an alternative. Ordered some ESV Kalk around 2 months ago(not a fan of ESV their products seems like water but it was around the same price or a little less)to give it ago while my tank is lightly stocked. Always ran Kalk 1-2 ml per minute + 2 part(I just like running both)& man this product just couldn't keep up my Alkalinity even at 3 ml per minute & I knew my tank demand wasn't increasing that much. Cleaned out the Kalk reactor & added the BRS Kalk & BOOM instant spike after 12 hrs at the same 2ml per minute just after 12 hrs..safe to say ESV Kalk goes in the trash..BRS it is..for now..

 

[14 foot reef]

I just moved from BRS to Captive8 from Chris Woods. Will update my findings in a week or so. Have a good feeling Captive8 is gonna kick BRS's Butt on the Kalk Powder

 

[Merge_595]

I just moved from BRS to Captive8 from Chris Woods. Will update my findings in a week or so. Have a good feeling Captive8 is gonna kick BRS's Butt on the Kalk Powder

Definitely keep us updated

 

[14 foot reef]

Definitely keep us updated

If the "KING of KALK" Chris Meckley swares by it, it's probably the best there is on the market. Chris is a MAD SCIENTIST when it comes to Kalk Dosing

 

[Merge_595]

If the "KING of KALK" Chris Meckley swares by it, it's probably the best there is on the market. Chris is a MAD SCIENTIST when it comes to Kalk Dosing

I watched his YouTube videos on Kalk awhile back if I remember correctly he dose a TON at night & doesn't worry about the big Alkalinity swing?????

 

[14 foot reef]

I dose all my Kalk at night. The amount I dose is my full 24 hour evaporation in the 12 hour lights out period, as per Meckley's plan. Only difference is I use a "Sealed" kalk stirrer, he does sealed max concentration container in 12 hour period, no stirring.
I maybe moving to that soon, going to follow Chris Woods recommendations on that as I switch over to Captive8 products instead of reef moonshiners.

 

[I never finish anythi]

I watched his YouTube videos on Kalk awhile back if I remember correctly he dose a TON at night & doesn't worry about the big Alkalinity swing?????

Interesting. Thinking about changing over to kalk, but not sure how to go about it . I'm using afr at the moment.

 

[Merge_595]

I dose all my Kalk at night. The amount I dose is my full 24 hour evaporation in the 12 hour lights out period, as per Meckley's plan. Only difference is I use a "Sealed" kalk stirrer, he does sealed max concentration container in 12 hour period, no stirring.
I maybe moving to that soon, going to follow Chris Woods recommendations on that as I switch over to Captive8 products instead of reef moonshiners.

I've read about doing it this way always been nervous..I guess that Alk spike really doesn't matter but man it scares the crap out of me lol. Also I'm about to start moonshiners March just put everything in the tools to see what I needed

 

[Merge_595]

Interesting. Thinking about changing over to kalk, but not sure how to go about it . I'm using afr at the moment.

At first I tried a container with a small cheap power head coming on every 2 hrs for 2 min on a dosing pump..but investing in the Avast Marine Kalk Stirrer was one of the best decisions I've made in the hobby. Keeps my Alk super steady why I'm so scared of dosing everything all at once at night even tho I hear so many doing it that way with great success

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Since I've started using Kalkwasser around 2019 I've always used BRS Kalkwasser. Like many other's after all the changes with BRS I figured let me see if I can find an alternative. Ordered some ESV Kalk around 2 months ago(not a fan of ESV their products seems like water but it was around the same price or a little less)to give it ago while my tank is lightly stocked. Always ran Kalk 1-2 ml per minute + 2 part(I just like running both)& man this product just couldn't keep up my Alkalinity even at 3 ml per minute & I knew my tank demand wasn't increasing that much. Cleaned out the Kalk reactor & added the BRS Kalk & BOOM instant spike after 12 hrs at the same 2ml per minute just after 12 hrs..safe to say ESV Kalk goes in the trash..BRS it is..for now..

perhaps one just needs different stirring parameters for a material that might have a different particle size distribution.

 

[14 foot reef]

perhaps one just needs different stirring parameters for a material that might have a different particle size distribution.

This is a great point Randy, as Avast Marine actually tells there customers that their Kalk is much "Lighter" and stirs way better than the heavier BRS Kalk. I have never seen science to back up that claim, but users do say there unit works better with the Avast Kalk, I have never tried it.

 

[Merge_595]

perhaps one just needs different stirring parameters for a material that might have a different particle size distribution.

Interesting

 

[14 foot reef]

At first I tried a container with a small cheap power head coming on every 2 hrs for 2 min on a dosing pump..but investing in the Avast Marine Kalk Stirrer was one of the best decisions I've made in the hobby. Keeps my Alk super steady why I'm so scared of dosing everything all at once at night even tho I hear so many doing it that way with great success

If you're are "scared" of the ALK jump, you could never sleep at night if you tried the Bolus Method. LOL
I have never tried Bolus method myself. Just mentioning.

 

[andrewey]

I've primarily used Mrs. Wagner's pickling lime and BRS and never noticed much difference between them. I've been happy with both.

 

[Merge_595]

If you're are "scared" of the ALK jump, you could never sleep at night if you tried the Bolus Method. LOL
I have never tried Bolus method myself. Just mentioning.

Never heard of it I'll research now

 

[Merge_595]

I've primarily used Mrs. Wagner's pickling lime and BRS and never noticed much difference between them. I've been happy with both.

Will look into Wagner's appreciate the info

 

[andrewey]

It's just commercial pickling lime, usually from Walmart. In theory, BRS and others sell a purer version of calcium hydroxide and report fewer impurities, but this has never bothered me and I've never noticed a difference switching between them. I use whichever is available and cheaper at the time.

 

[Merge_595]

If you're are "scared" of the ALK jump, you could never sleep at night if you tried the Bolus Method. LOL
I have never tried Bolus method myself. Just mentioning.

Yeah with these extremely expensive Acro’s I'm into that's been draining my savings accounts the last few years there's NO WAY I'm trying that LOLOLOLOLOLLLLLL

 

[Atalien2005]

I’ve recently started using kalk and I liked how Avast Marine’s powder mixed better than the BRS stuff. I use a Geo KR818 gen 3 reactor that mixes once a day for 1 min and keeps the liquid saturated. I did a little research and was able to find a 50lb bag of the exact product for very cheap. This bag should last me the rest of my life lol.

 

[Merge_595]

I’ve recently started using kalk and I liked how Avast Marine’s powder mixed better than the BRS stuff. I use a Geo KR818 gen 3 reactor that mixes once a day for 1 min and keeps the liquid saturated. I did a little research and was able to find a 50lb bag of the exact product for very cheap. This bag should last me the rest of my life lol.

I like the sound of that let me do a little digging..