Kalk ?

[FastFish720]

Everyone knows that you are suppose to dose kalk by mixing it then siphoning out the clear part. What happens if you don't take out the clear part as seen in kalkwasser reactors I believe? So could I theoretically get a small bucket and use a pump and mix the kalk up real good then dose it like a kalkwasser reactor would? or am I missing something here?

[David Grigor]

Nope, You not missing anything. That's all there is to it. The crust just forms becuase of the air. You want the crust to remain on the open container if not air tight. This helps keeps the Kalk potent. You want to minimize the mixing in an open container.

Also just want to make sure if using pump, siphon or whatever method not to pump/suck up the Kalk gunk in the bottom.

[ReefSitter]

Does anyone here mix white vinegar with their kalk?

[David Grigor]

I do......

I put the kalk into a cup. Pour the vinegar into the cup then dump the cup into the Kalk Bin......


Two good articles if you haven't seen them before:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-0...ture/index.htm

http://www.reefscapes.net/articles/b...alkwasser.html

[ReefSitter]

I do too,
1 gallon RO/DI
1 1/2 tsp. kalk
15 ml. white vinegar

What is the "shelf life" of the mixed solution?

[David Grigor]

I fill up 45g bucket at a time. Lasts me about 10days.

The first article was a study done that would answer your question in more detail how long it will stay potent.

[Jive Turkey]

Originally posted by David Grigor
I do......

I put the kalk into a cup. Pour the vinegar into the cup then dump the cup into the Kalk Bin......


Two good articles if you haven't seen them before:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-0...ture/index.htm

http://www.reefscapes.net/articles/b...alkwasser.html

Those are very good articles. I had never seen the second article about the benefits of disolving Limewater in acidic white vinegar, etc. Among other things, the vinegar's decomposition fuels useful bacteria.

I would recommend this article to anyone who has been hesitant to add distilled white vinegar to their reefs.

Joe

[Energy]

I usually add about a cup per 10 gallons of kalk mixed water.

[spazz]

i make up my lime water (ball pickeling lime) in a 44g rubermaid trash can and dose it with a top off switch. my ph stays above 8.1 at night and goes to 8.2 during the day when there is more evaporation going on. if its real hot out then it will rise to 8.3