Kalkwasser Refresh in ATO

[joro]

Last week I got around to finally installing a 5G ATO system into our sump which we are also using to dose Kalkwasser through a peristaltic pump. We've built a number of safe guards into the system including through Apex to shut it off if pH rises to quickly or too high. Performance has been stellar this last week and has been great at maintaining the pH and boosting coral growth; however, the ATO is almost empty now and we need to mix up a new batch of water which brings about my question -

When we initially mixed everything, some Kalk settled to the bottom as expected, but I was wondering whether we need to clean out the entire container before putting in fresh RODI + Kalk or do we just top off using the same concentration we mixed the initial batch with? My concern is the undissolved particles in the bottom could make the concentration higher if we left it in there?

Appreciate the help!

 

[dochow]

Following

 

[WetWhistle]

Is you container air tight? One thing that happens if it is not air tight when it comes into contact with cO2 calcium falls permanently out of solution. So it is not dissoluble anymore. While this will not harm your tank per say it is useless for raising your calcium level. Something to factor in as well is how fast your water evaporated. If it took two weeks to go through then it is probably not usable. If it was closer to a week then some of it is usable so you could top up the water. You could then just add half your regular strength. I would however test your calcium levels if you are experimenting like this. You don't want it to go to high or two low till you figure out your needs.

 

[WetWhistle]

I myself leave what is in the bottom and clean it out every 2 to three weeks and add my normal dose weekly. I don't recommend you do this unless you test.

 

[joro]

Is you container air tight? One thing that happens if it is not air tight when it comes into contact with cO2 calcium falls permanently out of solution. So it is not dissoluble anymore. While this will not harm your tank per say it is useless for raising your calcium level. Something to factor in as well is how fast your water evaporated. If it took two weeks to go through then it is probably not usable. If it was closer to a week then some of it is usable so you could top up the water. You could then just add half your regular strength. I would however test your calcium levels if you are experimenting like this. You don't want it to go to high or two low till you figure out your needs.

The ATO container isn't 100% airtight; however, the only exposed opening is 1 extra 1/4" hole size for a dosing tube. I've attached a picture if it helps. We've also been monitoring both Calcium and Alkalinity via Hanna Checkers and both have gradually increased. Readings on Tuesday night were 8.6 dKh and 424 ppm for Alkalinity and Calcium respectively. pH is currently at 8.23 per Apex.

 

[jason2459]

I don't think it has to be air tight. But a decently fitting lid is helpful. My 29 gallon Rubbermaid tote is far from airtight. I've cleaned mine out once every never for the past many years. Slightly more often probably wouldn't hurt.

 

[WetWhistle]

That is not to bad the container but I would expect some % to be unusable.

 

[brownsalt92]

What if you leave a nano powerhead in your container to always keep it mixing so there is no settlement? I just installed Auto top off and we'll be using kalkwasser now it will be showing up on Friday would like a little input thanks in advance

 

[jason2459]

You want undisolved kalk and other precipitated impurities to settle out. You do not want to pull directly from the bottom.

I have a timer on my apex that stops dosing for 2 hours after I refill my resivour and stir back up undisolved kalk to allow the slury to settle back down. My tubing is placed a couple inches above that to pull limewater from and not that slurry.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Last week I got around to finally installing a 5G ATO system into our sump which we are also using to dose Kalkwasser through a peristaltic pump. We've built a number of safe guards into the system including through Apex to shut it off if pH rises to quickly or too high. Performance has been stellar this last week and has been great at maintaining the pH and boosting coral growth; however, the ATO is almost empty now and we need to mix up a new batch of water which brings about my question -

When we initially mixed everything, some Kalk settled to the bottom as expected, but I was wondering whether we need to clean out the entire container before putting in fresh RODI + Kalk or do we just top off using the same concentration we mixed the initial batch with? My concern is the undissolved particles in the bottom could make the concentration higher if we left it in there?

Appreciate the help!

I let my large reservoirs go for years without cleaning out the mud. It hurts nothing sitting on the bottom if it doesn't get sucked into the tank. :)

 

[Waterjockey]

Just a handy idea:

I took some 1/2" pvc pipe, capped the bottom, and drilled some small holes starting about 2 1/2 to 3 inches up from the bottom. I put the suction line for my ato pump in the little 1/2" pipe to the bottom. This makes sure I never suck muck off the bottom of my ato resevoir (trash can). I imagine it will be a few years before I will worry about cleaning out the bottom of the resevoir.

View attachment 20160526_143739.jpg

 

[reefndude]

I've always mixed it separate container, let settle, then siphon into reservoir. Very little makes to reservoir

 

[dgrigor02]

Air tight doesn't matter as long as you just mix once and let it sit until resevioir is near empty and ready to refill. Like others, I clean mine out only when it starts to get too thick down there. Approx. twice a year.

 

[nano]

How are you removing the top layer of kalkwasser from each batch that you make? I use a 5 gallons bucket from my salt, and clean Everytime. That top layer from the kalkwasser will eventually build up,and also build up on the tank.

 

[jason2459]

How are you removing the top layer of kalkwasser from each batch that you make? I use a 5 gallons bucket from my salt, and clean Everytime. That top layer from the kalkwasser will eventually build up,and also build up on the tank.

You mean the slury of undiluted kalk and other precipitated stuff? I just dont pull ditectly from the bottom. It doesnt go into the tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Just a handy idea:

I took some 1/2" pvc pipe, capped the bottom, and drilled some small holes starting about 2 1/2 to 3 inches up from the bottom. I put the suction line for my ato pump in the little 1/2" pipe to the bottom. This makes sure I never suck muck off the bottom of my ato resevoir (trash can). I imagine it will be a few years before I will worry about cleaning out the bottom of the resevoir.

View attachment 20160526_143739.jpg

Nice. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How are you removing the top layer of kalkwasser from each batch that you make? I use a 5 gallons bucket from my salt, and clean Everytime. That top layer from the kalkwasser will eventually build up,and also build up on the tank.

I ignore the solids and draw from just a tad off the bottom.