Maxed out kalkwasser

[CDubz]

I believe I’ve maxed out how much kalk I can dose on my mixed reef 170 gallon out of an avast kalk stirrer. About to get to my evaporation rate and I am sitting at 7 ish dkh in the morning and 6.9 in the evening. Never had this happen in previous tanks but this is the most SPS I’ve had. I was sitting fine at 1/4 of my evap rate but added some mini colonies I got for cheap recently and kept having to up it. I also recently extended the light period from 10 to 12 hours.

I like Randy’s DIY recipe ideas because I don’t like to spend an arm and a leg if I don’t have to. I do 10% water changes weekly to monthly depending on my motivation and time. PH sits between 8-8.3 and I like alk 7-9.

What are the pros and cons to each of the recipes?

Any cheap containers that won’t be an eyesore? Got the top off and kalk pump on the backside of the tank in the master. I’d like to put everything there.

How do you get a feel for dosing calcium and alkalinity individually?

Is dosing mag necessary now that I have a higher demand tank?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I recommend dosing magnesium in proportion to calcium. If you want the biggest pH boost, use one of the sodium hydroxide recipes.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

DIY Chemistry Archive

I thought it would be useful to have an archive of DIY chemistry methods. I'll add to it as things come up. Calcium and Alkalinity DIY method comparison https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/randy-recommended-diy-two-part-recipes.984604/ Three Part using Sodium Hydroxide (including Balling Part...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[CDubz]

Should I ditch the kalk now?

 

[bobnicaragua]

I always start with kalk and then add in two part once kalk alone won’t keep up. I like the PH boost and tanks just tend to do well with kalk.

I never have to dose magnesium, probably due to all the kalk I dose.

 

[CDubz]

I always start with kalk and then add in two part once kalk alone won’t keep up. I like the PH boost and tanks just tend to do well with kalk.

I never have to dose magnesium, probably due to all the kalk I dose.

Thank you. What two part do you use?

 

[bobnicaragua]

Thank you. What two part do you use?

I use BRS two part and Tropic marine part C.

 

[dwest]

I use kalk and 2 part. I use the soda ash alkalinity version. I’d keep doing kalk (when you start 2 part) as it doesn’t add sodium and chloride ions (that you don’t necessarily want) like 2 part. I also do daily 1% AWC and don’t add anything else.

 

[CDubz]

I use BRS two part and Tropic marine part C.

Okay just researched that I like the thought of the part C. How do you know how much part C to add?

 

[CDubz]

I use kalk and 2 part. I use the soda ash alkalinity version. I’d keep doing kalk (when you start 2 part) as it doesn’t add sodium and chloride ions (that you don’t necessarily want) like 2 part. I also do daily 1% AWC and don’t add anything else.

Are you doing a DIY? What soda ash do you use? Is it still equal parts to the calcium carbonate?

 

[Troylee]

Is your reactor running fully saturated? I don’t see enough corals in your tank to need anything more honestly from my experience… and if it did a fan would create plenty more evap to get more kalk from your top off.

 

[CDubz]

Is your reactor running fully saturated? I don’t see enough corals in your tank to need anything more honestly from my experience… and if it did a fan would create plenty more evap to get more kalk from your top off.

That’s why I posted a pic. I didn’t think so either and was wondering if someone would say something so I’m glad you did. I do believe so? I don’t know though. I use brs kalk and read that it’s too dense for the stirrer so thought I could switch and see a change and hold off for longer. I add kalk to the stirrer every two weeks when I add top off water to the reservoir.

 

[bobnicaragua]

How to use Tropic Marine Part C with BRS 2 part.

Part C - mix 4 scoops to 1 gal water.
Dose part C at twice the amount of soda ash.

Example:
Soda ash 5 ml.
Part C 10 ml.

 

[Troylee]

That’s why I posted a pic. I didn’t think so either and was wondering if someone would say something so I’m glad you did. I do believe so? I don’t know though. I use brs kalk and read that it’s too dense for the stirrer so thought I could switch and see a change and hold off for longer. I add kalk to the stirrer every two weeks when I add top off water to the reservoir.

Avast recommends 1/2 to full cup of a k2… I’d say you’d need to fill that thing every 4 days or so depending on your evaporation rate. Your ph should be key when your kalk is no longer good or working..

 

[bobnicaragua]

I use kalk and 2 part. I use the soda ash alkalinity version. I’d keep doing kalk (when you start 2 part) as it doesn’t add sodium and chloride ions (that you don’t necessarily want) like 2 part. I also do daily 1% AWC and don’t add anything else.

If you dose part C, you no longer have the issue with the extra salt from 2 part. Part C is just salt mix minus salt.

 

[dwest]

If you dose part C, you no longer have the issue with the extra salt from 2 part. Part C is just salt mix minus salt.

I’ve thought about trying part C, but I’ve been getting away without doing so for many years. I THINK my 1% daily AWC allows this.

How long have you been dosing part C? Did you dose 2 part only first, and if so, did you notice anything when you added C? (Sorry about derailing thread)

 

[dwest]

Are you doing a DIY? What soda ash do you use? Is it still equal parts to the calcium carbonate?

I use BRS soda ash. I’ve also baked baking soda to make soda ash but I went back to BRS for simplicity.

I am now using Prestone ice melt for calcium chloride. But I’ll probably go back to BRS someday. I just got mad when it seemed their prices doubled.

When I used all BRS products, I could get away with equal parts of soda ash and calcium chloride. But when I stray from that, I have to tweak the ratio.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How to use Tropic Marine Part C with BRS 2 part.

Part C - mix 4 scoops to 1 gal water.
Dose part C at twice the amount of soda ash.

Example:
Soda ash 5 ml.
Part C 10 ml.

FWIW, that ratio also applies when using the sodium hydroxide recipe.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I’ve thought about trying part C, but I’ve been getting away without doing so for many years. I THINK my 1% daily AWC allows this.

How long have you been dosing part C? Did you dose 2 part only first, and if so, did you notice anything when you added C? (Sorry about derailing thread)

I’ve been dosing part C for maybe 2 1/2 years. It just keeps you in ionic balance. Think of it this way, the more 2 part you dose, the more you lower your trace elements.

I dump part C into my ATO on the 1st and 15th. I started using it not long after starting 2 part.

It’s a step in the right direction, but your tank will take some time to balance out with 1% water changes.

Ideally, your corals will look better with better water chemistry. The more 2 part you dose, the more it matters.

 

[CDubz]

I’ve thought about trying part C, but I’ve been getting away without doing so for many years. I THINK my 1% daily AWC allows this.

How long have you been dosing part C? Did you dose 2 part only first, and if so, did you notice anything when you added C? (Sorry about derailing thread)

No that’s fine I’m curious as well