Kalkwasser saturation mixing time experiment

[BigKid4788]

Is there a do not exceed mixing time before you start introducing co2? For people who don’t use a probe?

 

[rishma]

Is there a do not exceed mixing time before you start introducing co2? For people who don’t use a probe?

I didn’t run the test long enough to find that point. Eventually CO2 will start to reduce potency but it will depend on many factors.

I don’t see any benefit in mixing longer than an hour and less is probably just as good from a practical standpoint. In the future I won’t be using a probe to mix, I’ll just set a timer for 45 minutes a call it good.

 

[Boehmtown]

I cleaned it my reactor and only put about what I use in a week. And am just adding that amount every weekend. This has been more potent than having a cup or two in for months.

 

[Sidius]

What kind of flow rate should we target when selecting a powerhead for mixing 20 gallons of Kalkwasser in a bin at a time?

I have a couple old Hydor powerheads that I have been using but I'm wondering if I need more flow?

 

[rishma]

What kind of flow rate should we target when selecting a powerhead for mixing 20 gallons of Kalkwasser in a bin at a time?

I have a couple old Hydor powerheads that I have been using but I'm wondering if I need more flow?

I just picked one that fit in the opening of my container. Not sure the flow rate but it mixed the container vigorously with some ripples on the surface

 

[Project1004]

This is very helpful. Idk how you perform the tests but is there way to see the saturation rates at different time? 1mins, 5mins, 10mins, 30mins, 1hr etc?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

This is very helpful. Idk how you perform the tests but is there way to see the saturation rates at different time? 1mins, 5mins, 10mins, 30mins, 1hr etc?

Conductivity is the best way.

pH is a crude way that will not give very precise values.

I show how I used conductivity for that purpose here:

(fwiw, the original site is not up and running and the wayback machine is running very slow as I post this)
https://web.archive.org/web/20180310134947/http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

 

[Project1004]

Conductivity is the best way.

pH is a crude way that will not give very precise values.

I show how I used conductivity for that purpose here:

(fwiw, the original site is not up and running and the wayback machine is running very slow as I post this)
https://web.archive.org/web/20180310134947/http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

Thank you Randy. I will read up on it :)

 

[rishma]

This is very helpful. Idk how you perform the tests but is there way to see the saturation rates at different time? 1mins, 5mins, 10mins, 30mins, 1hr etc?

This equation approximates the data from the experiment shown in the first post. Plug in your time in minutes and you’ll get the saturation. It may or may not match your specific mixing conditions.

S = 100 - 13 * e^(-0.12 * t)

 

[Sidius]

I just picked one that fit in the opening of my container. Not sure the flow rate but it mixed the container vigorously with some ripples on the surface

I'm currently using a pair of old Hydor Koralia 750gph powerheads to mix 20 gallons of kalk in a 27 gallon heavy duty storage tote. It creates a ripple at the surface and definitely moves water around, but I wouldn't call it vigorous by any means. I let it run for an hour, based on this experiment.

Thank you very much for doing this!!