Made a small change and got big results.

[reefkeeper2]

I've been reefing for over 30 years and I'm still learning stuff.
I've been using kalkwasser forever, and always had a kalkmixer that stirred the kalk on and off throughout the day. All my top off passes thru it. Funny thing is whenever I cleaned it out I noticed a large pH jump in the tank. I never got that large of a jump when I added more kalk to it , just when I cleaned out the old and replaced with new. Thinking about it I remembered an old article I read years ago by Randy Holmes Farley that said the best way to dose kalkwasser is to mix it in a container and then leave it alone. Don't mix it or add any more water to it. Just make it, use it up and repeat. I guess you don't CO2 in the air to react with it. So I disconnected my kalkmixer and did just that. Presto! Huge pH jump that doesn't fade away. Daytime pH approaches 8.4 which I have never seen before in any of my tanks. The only drawback for me is having to mix up the kalkwasser every three days because my topoff is so high. I'm going to search for a larger clear container 30 - 50 gal to help with that.
Ever since I made this change the ugly stage my tank is going through is quickly resolving. Most of the algae is disappearing. Could be coincidence, but it's an interesting observation.
Here's a updated pic.

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

Tank looks great, but I also love the plants in the bottom! Is that a miltoniopsis orchid in the corner?

 

[reefkeeper2]

Tank looks great, but I also love the plants in the bottom! Is that a miltoniopsis orchid in the corner?

Yes it is. They seem the hardest for me to grow.

 

[scavdog]

I've been reefing for over 30 years and I'm still learning stuff.
I've been using kalkwasser forever, and always had a kalkmixer that stirred the kalk on and off throughout the day. All my top off passes thru it. Funny thing is whenever I cleaned it out I noticed a large pH jump in the tank. I never got that large of a jump when I added more kalk to it , just when I cleaned out the old and replaced with new. Thinking about it I remembered an old article I read years ago by Randy Holmes Farley that said the best way to dose kalkwasser is to mix it in a container and then leave it alone. Don't mix it or add any more water to it. Just make it, use it up and repeat. I guess you don't CO2 in the air to react with it. So I disconnected my kalkmixer and did just that. Presto! Huge pH jump that doesn't fade away. Daytime pH approaches 8.4 which I have never seen before in any of my tanks. The only drawback for me is having to mix up the kalkwasser every three days because my topoff is so high. I'm going to search for a larger clear container 30 - 50 gal to help with that.
Ever since I made this change the ugly stage my tank is going through is quickly resolving. Most of the algae is disappearing. Could be coincidence, but it's an interesting observation.
Here's a updated pic.View attachment 175687

The tank is looking stellar Paul! I too am using the same fill, set and forget it method. Mine is a slow drip though in a rather large container - 35 gallon.

 

[reefkeeper2]

How long does it last you? I could easily find a larger container but I want it to be somewhat transparent.

 

[dz6t]

I remember reading somewhere that a Kalkwasser reactor only achieved about 50% saturation of Kalkwasser vs the “mix-use-repeat” method. I use a 10 gallon Rubbermaid bucket to do that. When the Kalkwasser solution is saturated, it forms a crust on water surface that reduce further reaction with CO2 so that I don’t need to put a lid on it.

 

[luu78]

I find this is the most precise way to add Kalwasser by far. I mix 25g of Kalk into a 5 gallon bucket and close the lid tightly after mixing. The concentration is very consistent and I use a doser instead of ATO to precisely dial in my dkH. The rest of evaporation is handled via ATO.

 

[srit1]

How long does it last you? I could easily find a larger container but I want it to be somewhat transparent.

Mine is a 58g/220L barrel that I added a clear pvc pipe to. It lasts ~200L/6L days, so about a month.

 

[Titleist1964]

Wow, what a beautiful tank...and that stand. 8020.net?

 

[reefkeeper2]

Yes, But I went through FramingTech. Best to have an engineer behind you when your dealing with 4500 pounds.

 

[Titleist1964]

Yes, But I went through FramingTech. Best to have an engineer behind you when your dealing with 4500 pounds.

Yea I work in a calibration lab, we have several custom made fixtures made out of 8020.

 

[Joe Rice]

It lasts ~200L/6L days, so about a month.

How big is your system?

 

[reefkeeper2]

About 500 gal

 

[srit1]

How big is your system?

similar to reefkeeper's, total water is ~500g

 

[reefkeeper2]

Mine is a 58g/220L barrel that I added a clear pvc pipe to. It lasts ~200L/6L days, so about a month.

So you added a clear pipe to the outside so you could see what the level is at?

 

[ReefAddict]

I remember reading somewhere that a Kalkwasser reactor only achieved about 50% saturation of Kalkwasser vs the “mix-use-repeat” method. I use a 10 gallon Rubbermaid bucket to do that. When the Kalkwasser solution is saturated, it forms a crust on water surface that reduce further reaction with CO2 so that I don’t need to put a lid on it.

I been using Kalk Stirrers on my systems for a while. I always assumed I wasn't getting full saturation, but I got to assume it is more than 50% saturated!?

Inside my Stirrer the solution stands at 11.6 ph (when it drops below that I know powder change is needed).
Does anyone know what the PH of fully saturated Kalk is?

One thing to add I always recommend dosing Kalk separate from ATO. I use a dosing pump; same amount goes in every day.

 

[rock-n-reef]

Does anyone know what the PH of fully saturated Kalk is?

~12.5 and varies slightly by temperature. lower the temperature, higher the pH you can get.

 

[srit1]

So you added a clear pipe to the outside so you could see what the level is at?

Yup, using 2 uniseals and some clear PVC:

add a valve off the bottom tee if you want an easy way to drain it ever.

 

[dz6t]

I been using Kalk Stirrers on my systems for a while. I always assumed I wasn't getting full saturation, but I got to assume it is more than 50% saturated!?

Inside my Stirrer the solution stands at 11.6 ph (when it drops below that I know powder change is needed).
Does anyone know what the PH of fully saturated Kalk is?

One thing to add I always recommend dosing Kalk separate from ATO. I use a dosing pump; same amount goes in every day.

I think in real life situations, the saturation rate can be higher than 50% with a reactor. It also depends on which model of the reactor as well. At pH 11.6, I think it is pretty good.

 

[Ray]

Does everyone stir the kalk at the bottom or use fresh kalk everytime you refill?