Kalkwasser

[PaReeferJ]

I want to start adding Kalkwasser to my ATO. Where do I start??? There is a starter kit at brs or they just sell the Kalkwasser..... Anyone out there using this method if you could give a little info on this method would be great. Thanks.

 

[jsker]

I used the seachem kalwasser and would add a table spoon to my 10 gal ATO tank when I filled it. I also kept a small power head running to stir the ATO tank water.

 

[cmcoker]

Start with Randy's article, "what your grandmother never told you about pickling lime"

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

I use lime in my ATO, I have an avast ATO sensor, aqualifter pump setup to pull water from an inch above the bottom - to avoid drawing the slurry at the bottom into the tank.

I have a digital timer on the ATO that only runs 2 minutes every half hour, to keep the pH from climbing too high. The article will talk about the max percent of tank volume you want to dose at a time.

I use a still reservoir, I mix the kalk in, let it settle an hour and turn the ATO back on. Ina covered container you don't need to mix it all the time, and generally want to avoid dosing milky water.

This setup on my ~140g system keeps the alk around 8.5dkh, I use a lower alk salt to begin with.

You will need to start with a lower amount of kalk mixed in the ATO reservoir and bump it up as needed based on testing.

 

[PaReeferJ]

Ok so after reading that I got the general idea of it. What do most people do? Add it to the ato or dose with a separate pump?

 

[Knapp870]

I buy pickling lime off ebay for CHEAP, or sometimes big box stores, I then add about a 1/2 teaspoon a gallon to my top off reservoir. Easy peasy and works great!! When I test if I see alk or calc are off, i then use BRS two part to get things in line. I've done this for years.

 

[PaReeferJ]

I buy pickling lime off ebay for CHEAP, or sometimes big box stores, I then add about a 1/2 teaspoon a gallon to my top off reservoir. Easy peasy and works great!! When I test if I see alk or calc are off, i then use BRS two part to get things in line. I've done this for years.

You just mix it in the same container as your ato pump is in? Do you keep a power head in there to keep it circulated?

 

[Knapp870]

I carry up 5 gallon buckets of RODI, I add my teaspoons of kalk to the 1 bucket with the pump and begin filling the ATO reservoir, I then pour the other buckets of RODI into the bucket with the pump, which mixes the kalk and it all gets added to the top off. Do not use a powerhead to keep it circulated, the ATO reservoir will create a film that helps seal the kalk mixture from air which is good because contact with air is not desirable, you also dont want the particulate that settls out to continually get mixed up, you are just wanting to top off with the supersaturated clear solution. I then clean out my ATO reservoir once in awhile

 

[Knapp870]

Some people mix it up ahead of time then only add the supersaturated clear solution to their reservoir, I'm lazy though and haven't had any issues with it. :)

 

[PaReeferJ]

Some people mix it up ahead of time then only add the supersaturated clear solution to their reservoir, I'm lazy though and haven't had any issues with it. :)

Ok got it! Thanks! Is this what I am looking for?
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Mrs-Wages-Pic...%3A324aef8a1560a624b7f3c5ecfffc0e7d%7Ciid%3A2

 

[cmcoker]

Ok got it! Thanks! Is this what I am looking for?
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Mrs-Wages-Pic...%3A324aef8a1560a624b7f3c5ecfffc0e7d%7Ciid%3A2

Yep

 

[PaReeferJ]

Yep

Awesome... Thanks

 

[Waterjockey]

You just mix it in the same container as your ato pump is in? Do you keep a power head in there to keep it circulated?

I mix it in my ato resevoir, then put the lid on and let it settle. Some gunk sinks to the bottom, and a thin crust forms on top. My ato pump sits on the resevoir lid and draws the ato water from about an inch or two off the bottom so only the cleared solution gets pumped into the tank.

 

[Chris Adams]

I utilize the Two Little Fishies KW Reactor 300 (Kalkwasser Reactor).
This is inline with my tunze 3155 so when top off kicks in it pushes through the reactor and bingo kalk stirred and added.
Have had this running 1.5 years no issue

I went with this reactor do to many people saying it will reduce your pump life it you run kalk in container with pump. This is just what people said to me not my findings.
For the money I could not be happier with this Reactor. So simple I love it
38gl tank 1tbsp every 5 days is what I add.

PS I also use Seachem brand

 

[cmcoker]

I read about pump life issue before starting dosing, I opted to try with the aqualifter since they are cheap and you can buy replacement diaphragms even cheaper.
My setup has been running almost 3 years on the same pump, no replacement parts needed.
I do use on of the aqualifter filters on the input line, it's nothing fancy and I don't know if it makes a difference...

 

[dragon99]

Ok got it! Thanks! Is this what I am looking for?
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Mrs-Wages-Pickling-Lime-1-Pound-Resealable-Bag-1-Pound-/121993880265?hash=item1c6766e2c9:g:EtkAAOSw9etXQQH~&_trkparms=pageci%3Aa2afec5c-54de-11e6-a4d3-005056974d2d%7Cparentrq%3A324aef8a1560a624b7f3c5ecfffc0e7d%7Ciid%3A2

Why settle for measly pound ;)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/14-Pounds-C...hash=item281a1e0587:m:m6ulZ_2qrAVUfyBl3lX_-xA

 

[PaReeferJ]

Why settle for measly pound ;)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/14-Pounds-C...hash=item281a1e0587:m:m6ulZ_2qrAVUfyBl3lX_-xA

Whoa... That would take me forever to use.

 

[Knapp870]

I usually get 5lbs off ebay, lasts quite awhile but super cheap. I ran a maxijet 600 for many years pumping kalk mix from ato without an issue till just the other day. I found the propeller blades all broke off finally.

 

[PaReeferJ]

I usually get 5lbs off ebay, lasts quite awhile but super cheap. I ran a maxijet 600 for many years pumping kalk mix from ato without an issue till just the other day. I found the propeller blades all broke off finally.

Well that lasted a long time. I have a tunze ato and the pump is only 25 bucks so I guess it's not a big deal if it kills my pump

 

[cmcoker]

Well that lasted a long time. I have a tunze ato and the pump is only 25 bucks so I guess it's not a big deal if it kills my pump

Just be sure and build a platform for it to sit on, I believe that pump draws from the bottom?

 

[PaReeferJ]

Just be sure and build a platform for it to sit on, I believe that pump draws from the bottom?

Yes it does. I will something to raise it off the bottom