Kalkwasser?? Should I use it??

[Reefedandconfused22]

Looking for some guidance here. I’m looking at adding or switching to kalkwasser and I’m wanting some validation from more experienced members.

Here’s my parameter measures:

Calcium: 545 ppm
Alkalinity: 10.3 dkh
Ph: 7.9 pH
Salinity: 35.1

Current dosing:
Vinegar: 66 ml per day
All for reef: 15 ml (2-3 per week)

So my desired effect is that I want to raise my pH to 8.4-8.7.

My issue is that my alkalinity is already so high, I’m worried it will raise the alk to a dangerous level.

My overall goal here is better growth of lps and spa corals.

My questions are:

1) should I dose kalkwasser?
2)should I change dosing the vinegar along with this?
3) what dosage should I do?

 

[edsbeaker]

Edited: See next post!

 

[edsbeaker]

Looking for some guidance here. I’m looking at adding or switching to kalkwasser and I’m wanting some validation from more experienced members.

Here’s my parameter measures:

Calcium: 545 ppm
Alkalinity: 10.3 dkh
Ph: 7.9 pH
Salinity: 35.1

Current dosing:
Vinegar: 66 ml per day
All for reef: 15 ml (2-3 per week)

So my desired effect is that I want to raise my pH to 8.4-8.7.

My issue is that my alkalinity is already so high, I’m worried it will raise the alk to a dangerous level.

My overall goal here is better growth of lps and spa corals.

My questions are:

1) should I dose kalkwasser?
2)should I change dosing the vinegar along with this?
3) what dosage should I do?

Is there a reason you are wanting your parameters that high?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don’t think your fairly low demand will allow kalk to raise pH very much.

I’d look for other options.

 

[exnisstech]

Why do you want pH that high? I know high pH is a big deal these days but my acros do pretty well in pH 7.6-7.8. I guess if your wanting speedy growth to cut frags it could be beneficial but after running this tank for two years I just don't feel the need but that's me I suppose. I just tend to question why people like to chase pH ;)

 

[njmaddreefer]

I think it’s fun to mix things up sometimes and study the different responses from the corals.

Anyways, I’ll rant outloud:

(1) You can always decrease your All For Reef Dosing and dose something like 25% saturated solution of lime water.

(2) Alternatively, you can temporarily stop the All For Reef and switch to Kalkwasser only. Might be able to save some cash dosing Kalkwasser instead of All For Reef.

 

[ReskyZZ]

Looking for some guidance here. I’m looking at adding or switching to kalkwasser and I’m wanting some validation from more experienced members.

Here’s my parameter measures:

Calcium: 545 ppm
Alkalinity: 10.3 dkh
Ph: 7.9 pH
Salinity: 35.1

Current dosing:
Vinegar: 66 ml per day
All for reef: 15 ml (2-3 per week)

So my desired effect is that I want to raise my pH to 8.4-8.7.

My issue is that my alkalinity is already so high, I’m worried it will raise the alk to a dangerous level.

My overall goal here is better growth of lps and spa corals.

My questions are:

1) should I dose kalkwasser?
2)should I change dosing the vinegar along with this?
3) what dosage should I do?

1) No, you need to reduce ur calcium and alkalinity first. Looks like ur AFR is in high dose. Is ur Ca and Alkalinity stable or increasing trend?
2) Vinegar is carbon dosing, it is to control ur nutrients.. can be use also to max saturation of kalkwasser.
3) if ur talking about kalkwasser, try to dose it slowly and monitor ur calcium and alkalinity.

 

[Miami Reef]

Why are you dosing vinegar? Nitrates?

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

i do both kalk and afr. My alk stays stable. One thing to note is that a liter per day dosed throughout day/night does NOT have an appreciable affect on ph. Maybe keeps its .1 higher.

I did this because AFR isn’t cheap once your tanks get to be 65g and up. I also have heard of reefs absolutely loving the lime water, though I think that is anecdotal.