New to kalk dosing

[nlutfi]

I am looking to possibly switching from my current 2 part system, BRS soda ash, calcium with added Tropic Marina A and K. I have around 120g total water volume to my system and dose around 100ml of both daily. I usually mix up around 4 gallons at a time in a bucket of each solution to dose to the tank. I was hoping to find a way to dose kalk to the tank in a similar way if possible, mix a 5gal bucket worth and dose from there, is that possible? Would I need a small pump to keep the kalk mixed? How much kalk is added to 1g of RO water? Is there any trace elements that can be mixed directly with the kalk to supplement the tank? Is there a way to calculate how much kalk I would need to dose daily from my current set up? TIA for all the help!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

5 gallons of kalk in such a system would only last a couple of days. You’d dose roughly 40 times as much as the two part.

 

[nlutfi]

5 gallons of kalk in such a system would only last a couple of days. You’d dose roughly 40 times as much as the two part.

Thanks for the info! I guess probably not worth the switch then. Was trying to find a better solution than 2 part and have heard a lot of good things about kalk.

 

[exnisstech]

Maybe look into AFR as an AIO additive? I can't say it's better but it's easy. I love it because it's so easy to use and corals do very well.

 

[nlutfi]

Maybe look into AFR as an AIO additive? I can't say it's better but it's easy. I love it because it's so easy to use and corals do very well.

Thanks! I have thought about AFR, do they make it available to mix in bulk? Otherwise I don't think it would be nearly as cost effective.

 

[Blitheran]

Why not a calcium reactor?

 

[exnisstech]

I buy it in powder form and mix it. I think it may be a bit more expensive than other methods but I'm willing to pay extra for ease of use.
This tank has been on AFR for two years. Corals were all little frags when added. I have it on a doser but manual dosing is fine as well because the alk is slow to be released.

 

[nlutfi]

I buy it in powder form and mix it. I think it may be a bit more expensive than other methods but I'm willing to pay extra for ease of use.
This tank has been on AFR for two years. Corals were all little frags when added. I have it on a doser but manual dosing is fine as well because the alk is slow to be released.

Wow awesome tank! I will consider making the switch, any ideas if it 1 for 1 with 2 part as far as how much to dose? I use a DOS and trident controlled dosing currently.

 

[exnisstech]

I'm going from memory so hopefully @Randy Holmes-Farley will fact check me but I seem to remember that ESV 2 part provides 1.7 times more alk then ESV 2 part. Please verify this tho. I used a calculator for ESV then did the math because I couldn't find a calculator for AFR at the time.

EDIT: i may be wrong but I'm pretty sure auto dosing is not recommended with AFR because it releases alk over a period of time not instantly. I usually wait 24 - 48 before testing when I'm making adjustments to the amount being dosed.

 

[nlutfi]

I'm going from memory so hopefully @Randy Holmes-Farley will fact check me but I seem to remember that ESV 2 part provides 1.7 times more alk then ESV 2 part. Please verify this tho. I used a calculator for ESV then did the math because I couldn't find a calculator for AFR at the time.

EDIT: i may be wrong but I'm pretty sure auto dosing is not recommended with AFR because it releases alk over a period of time not instantly. I usually wait 24 - 48 before testing when I'm making adjustments to the amount being dosed.

Thanks! I will see if I can verify the amounts before I start dosing!

 

[nlutfi]

Why not a calcium reactor?

I have considered a calcium reactor, when does it become worth it to switch? I have around 120g total water volume to my system and am dosing around 100ml of soda ash a day.

 

[rowenaad]

I have switched from 2 parts to AFR and loving how easy it is, tho im only running a 20 gal, but its such a concentrated solution, the same bucket size last me at least twice amount of the time and theres only one bucket i need to refill. (A bottle of TM element A&K would last for more than 2 years so i dont count them lolll). I also buy the powder form and mix it myself.

 

[bradreef]

Afr will cost a fortune. Add some kalk into your ATO. Maybe .5 ts per gallon at first and then work up from there. You will still use the 2 part, but reduced a ton.

I dose full strength kalk in my ATO and then add 30- 45 ml of each part per day. I also add A and K into my 2 part. System volume is around 150 gallons. Around 8 gallons per week in evap.

 

[nlutfi]

Afr will cost a fortune. Add some kalk into your ATO. Maybe .5 ts per gallon at first and then work up from there. You will still use the 2 part, but reduced a ton.

I dose full strength kalk in my ATO and then add 30- 45 ml of each part per day. I also add A and K into my 2 part. System volume is around 150 gallons. Around 8 gallons per week in evap.

Thanks, I have been adding A and K to my 2 parts as well. I have thought about kalk too, I'm unsure how much evap I get. Or possibly a Kalk reactor?

 

[bradreef]

Thanks, I have been adding A and K to my 2 parts as well. I have thought about kalk too, I'm unsure how much evap I get. Or possibly a Kalk reactor?

THe absolute best way is if you know you EVAP a gallon per day, you can get a large container and dose 3/4 gallon of kalk/ day

 

[nlutfi]

THe absolute best way is if you know you EVAP a gallon per day, you can get a large container and dose 3/4 gallon of kalk/ day

Thanks for all the help! I will try and get a measurement of how much evaporation I get daily and maybe add Kalk to the mix