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The infamous kalk dosing thread

Classklown90

Classklown90

So as some of you may know I recently got wiped out of my sps due to a crash so I figured Id take this time to set up an ato with kalkwasser.I have a 40 breeder if you don't know with a sump, about 48 gal total volume. Only live stock left are many zoas, two small chalice, 2 small acan lords, a small green plate, 4 sps frags and a decent sized clam. I've been testing for 4 days and it seems my alk drops from 8.5ish to around 7.3-5 each day(tested with hanna) My ato reserve holds 2 gallons. How much kalk should I add per gallon? I seem to evap about 1/2 gallon a day
 
downbeach

downbeach

Two tsp. per gallon is the saturation point, after that you can add some vinegar. But, kalk by itself may not be enough to keep up with your demand. I would get your Ca and Alk up to where you want them, and start the kalk, and monitor the trend of use between WC's. You could start with 1 tsp. per gallon and then go up if needed. If that's not enough, it might be best to add some two part into the regiment.
 
Classklown90

Classklown90

downbeach said:
Two tsp. per gallon is the saturation point, after that you can add some vinegar. But, kalk by itself may not be enough to keep up with your demand. I would get your Ca and Alk up to where you want them, and start the kalk, and monitor the trend of use between WC's. You could start with 1 tsp. per gallon and then go up if needed. If that's not enough, it might be best to add some two part into the regiment.
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Thanks Jim I have got it where I want it already using 2 part. I will start with one tsp per gallon and see where that gets me. You really think kalk wouldn't be able to keep up with my tank? I thought that was only an issue with larger tanks. Also what does the vinegar do?
 
jgraz

jgraz

Judging from when I saw your tank and you stating how much you lost I think Kalk would be more then enough to keep up. Curious though, if you have 2-part on hand why not go that route instead of Kalk?
 
Classklown90

Classklown90

jgraz said:
Judging from when I saw your tank and you stating how much you lost I think Kalk would be more then enough to keep up. Curious though, if you have 2-part on hand why not go that route instead of Kalk?
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I don't want to set up the extra dosers for 2 part and kalk is cheaper/easier. I'm confused tho. I thought kalk would be sufficient in a tank my size even when fully stocked if I just used a saturated dose
 
jgraz

jgraz

Probably would be enough. I was gonna do Kalk but had the 2-part on hand and just manually dosed though now I have dosers.
 
Classklown90

Classklown90

jgraz said:
Probably would be enough. I was gonna do Kalk but had the 2-part on hand and just manually dosed though now I have dosers.
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I hope so. I've spent alot between the ato controllable heater and various test kits this week so I can make sure this doesn't happen again. Id hate to have to set up a 2 part dosing system
 
J

Jcurry@wesketch

Classklown90 said:
... I thought kalk would be sufficient in a tank my size even when fully stocked if I just used a saturated dose
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It depends on your bio load and how much water your tank evaporates each day. The rate of evaporation will limit how much kalk you can dose. As Downbeach said you can add vinegar to the top of water to increase the saturation. You can also point a fan at your sump and/or tank to increase evaporation and cool the tank.
 
Classklown90

Classklown90

I guess I'll have to wait and see. As of now the bio load is low and it's doing fine, actually raised my alk a bit at 1 tsp per gallon
 
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