Pickling Lime ?

[BluegrassReef]

hey guys my new diy top off will be a 5g salt bucket. since it hold 4g of topoff water i was wondering how much Mrs. Wages I should add to the 4g's also would it be alright to add a small PH to keep it mixed up say a MJ400 would that not basically be a kalk stirrer?

I was thinking about 1 tabel spoon per gallon. do you think that is about right?

thanks...mike

 

[roshi719]

I believe it is 2 tbsp per gallon for a saturated kalk solution, but don't quote me. A powerhead wouldn't be necessary I dont think. put the lime in first then dump your water in. that should mix it up pretty good. then just mix in a seperate bucket after that and pour into the ATO bucket.

 

[gflat65]

I don't measure my pickling lime. I just dump a little in and let it mix. I typically keep dumping until it doesn't all mix, then just let it go. I just pour more RODI in the tub to refill and mix with whatever is left over in the tub (adding more, if needed). I dump the precipitant after I haven't added anything in a while and there is a precipitant in the bottom. It's been holding my pH above 8.0 for months. You won't oversature the TO water with it. Once it reaches saturation, the rest precipitates out, so keep the top off pump inlet away from the precipitant and all should be well.

 

[BluegrassReef]

thank you sirs...I am learning everday that I did not no as much as I thought I did about water chemistary...at least I am open minded and not ashame to ask be for I do something to my tank...I am hoping to have the best or at least one of the best SPS tanks in the state by next year when everything grows out.

 

[killingseed2000]

you can only mix 2 tbsp with one gallon water, after that the water is saturated and cant mix any more. the rest will settle.

if using a 2 gal jug or what ever size. dump the left over when done and redo. what is left is heavy metals left over in the bottom YOU DO NOT WANT IN THE TANK.

if using a kalk reactor , then you can pure in 4 oz or 8 oz and monitor with a ph controller still ph drop then clean out the unwanted left overs and start again. the reactor will mix and keep the water saturated during the kalk while dosing.