Another kalk question,

[JD'sReef]

Right now I fill a 25gal Rubbermaid with RO and add in 1/2 cup of kalk and 1/3 cup of vinegar. This keeps my parameters in check. This is all good but every time the container runs dry, I have to unhook a few hoses and bring the container up stairs to clean out the kalk particles.
My questions are as follows.
~Can I pre mix a 1/2cup kalk and vinegar in a separate 5 gallon bucket and then siphon the (over saturated) clear mixture into my top off container? The container would already be full of water ( minus the amount to fill the mixing container).
I know 2tsp per gallon is saturated but i hate taking my system apart to wash it out every week. By doing this would I also eliminate any residual kalk powder from accumulating on the bottom of my top off container?
I just tried topping off with fresh water only and dripping 3tsp/gal kalk throughout the day; that cold not keep up with my demand.
I am all ears and welcome any comments or revisions to my thoughts.
Thank you,
J.

 

[JD'sReef]

Anyone please!
I know this is a stupid question maybe I can reword it.
Can I over mix my kalk (1/2cup for 4galons) when I am going to then mix the solution with more water once settled?
Thanks for the help, much appreciation!

 

[Trevor]

I personally don't use kalk but don't see how it could be a problem

 

[dannyp02908]

You can't over saturate anything in to water. The reason you get a residue on the bottom is because that half cup is too much. Once the water becomes saturated, the excess kalkwasser will rest to the bottom. This is why we keep the hose from taking the very bottom of the water. So, if you add a half cup of lime to your 5 gallon bucket, you will have a thick pasty mess on the bottom of the bucket. The clear stuff you pull from the bucket will be saturated lime water and when you add more RODI to it, it will become diluted.

 

[JD'sReef]

Alright, looks like I need to rethink my method of top off. Thanks

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

Danny, do you dump the old kalkwasser out when you mix a new batch or just keep adding more kalkwasser and water each time? I've been dumping it, but maybe I shouldn't.

 

[Reeferer]

As long as your are not siphoning the bottom "paste" it is not a problem and you do not need to clean it every week. I use the same top off method and add in 5-10 gallons of Kalk solution to my top off container without rinsing every few days. It initially mixes everything up but quickly settles down. I only rinse my top off container once every couple of months. RHF has an article on reefkeepers that basically says that this paste solution is no harm in the bottom of a top off container.

 

[Reeferer]

I think that it is this article. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm#11

My mistake. It is not written by RHF but a great read for understanding kalkwasser

 

[dannyp02908]

I do not clean my top off res. the paste stays. I fill back up with 5 gallons of RODI and saturate it with new kalk. Stir it, let it settle and use.

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

Great! One less thing to clean.