What is up with my kalk?

the_colonel · 11-01-2005, 02:39 PM

About a month ago, the kalk was low in my reactor, and I had no more, so I ran to the LFS store for some more. I do not remember the old brand I was using, but what I bought was Seachem Reef kalkwasser. I completely emptied the kalk out of my reactor since it was time for a cleaning, and loaded it up with the Seachem.

So far here it what I have noticed:

- The new Kalk is much "clumpier". The old stuff would make a very fine cloud when the rector was running, with the new stuff I can see clumps of it and the cloud is not nearly as fine.

- The new kalk settles back into the reactor much quicker. Also after settling the new stuff is not very smooth. The old Kalk would leave a perfectly even and level amount after settling, this stuff is very rough with valleys and peaks after settling.

- It seams like I have not used any kalk since refilling, normally after 1 month I would have gone through about half the kalk. This stuff seems to be at the same level as one month ago.

- Zero kalk build up on my float valve. I used to have to clean my float valve every few weeks. Not with this stuff.

- No new coral growth. The SPS growth seems to have slowed down or stopped, and the LPS's do not seem as happy. (i.e., my welsi and trach brains are not "puffing" up as much, or at all.

Am I crazy, or missing something? Could I have got a bad batch of kalk? What is the best brand?

Burchoid · 11-01-2005, 03:05 PM

If nothing else has changed within your kalk system (ro, plumbing, etc) , it would almost have to be some sort of difference with your new kalk... can you switch back?

the_colonel · 11-01-2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burchoid

If nothing else has changed within your kalk system (ro, plumbing, etc) , it would almost have to be some sort of difference with your new kalk... can you switch back?

Nope, no changes, and I just used H2O to clean the reactor.

ReefSitter · 11-01-2005, 04:00 PM

never tried Seachem kalkwasser before, but I have noticed a difference between other brands. I have used Kent which seems kind of clumpy and left more residue. Two Little Fishes which I thought was pretty good until I tried ESV which seems to me to be finer ground, longer settle time, and less residue.

I am going through about 4 gallons a day of kalk/topoff water and add about two cups of kalk every two weeks.

Twins Guy · 11-01-2005, 04:03 PM

interesting JP-i have some of the seachem too-and i've been running it in my kalk reactor prolly a couple months...

i've noticed some of the clumpiness you mentioned...seemed weird but in the context of things (relatively new tank, figured the sps were still getting settled hence not alot of growth). i have dosed some turbo calcium to get the calcium level up as i don't run a ca rx.

have you tested your calcium level in the tank? also do you have a calcium reactor running and have you noticed any change in the tank's pH over the period where you've been using the seachem?

i'm tempted to clean out my kalk reactor and try another brand...before putting it in the reactor it appear just like any other brand of kalk, dusty, burns the nostrils when you inhale it, etc...but it does seem to be behaving wrong for you and me. i don't have a pH monitor so i haven't noticed any funny business there-i prefer to be oblivious.

as far as other brands go...ESV has alot of followers, Two Lil Fishies, Kent sells one, Warner Marine...i would bet many of them repackage the same product. but people report some (ESV) are cleaner than others in terms of residue (Mrs Wage/Ball's).

hmmm...
tg

spazz · 11-01-2005, 05:30 PM

i know alot of people dont think pickling lime is good to use for a fish tank but there was an artical about it on reef central that says its just fine to use it for top of water or kalk reactors. i use ball pickling lime. it works great in my reactor. real fine cloud and its cheap to buy.

here is the artical about it on reef central. its interesting reading, with lots of facts to back it up.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

Twins Guy · 11-01-2005, 05:54 PM

i'm impatient...anyone know where to get some esv kalk around the cities?
tg

epidemic · 11-01-2005, 06:03 PM

You might want to see a doctor about that!
(sorry I couldn't resist)
Derek

Loverotties · 11-01-2005, 06:37 PM

What are your readings?

the_colonel · 11-01-2005, 06:38 PM

Looks like I am going to try to find a new brand of Kalk.

otolith · 11-01-2005, 06:38 PM

I completely forgot to look at that when I was over. Try taking the Kalk out, and continue running your Kalk reactor without it and see how your corals respond. I don't think the Ca should get depleted too quickly, and you should probably notice a change in the next week or so, which should be enough time to go back to your regular kalk.

Nice looking tank, btw.

One of these days when I'm not in such a hurry, I'll take some more pics for you and we can make sure you have at least one nice pic of each piece, although I think my hit rate for good pics was higher than I'd expect.

David Grigor · 11-01-2005, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twins Guy

i'm impatient...anyone know where to get some esv kalk around the cities?
tg

TG, I had just bought a 25lb bucket of ESV before shutting down the big tank. With just the little 58g tank, It will probably take 5 years to use it all. If you have an old container to put some in your welcome to take a couple pounds of mine to use and see how you like it.

I won't offer to just anyone but your kinda special

trodder · 11-02-2005, 10:56 PM

I was actually going to mention to you guys (JP & TG) if you guys want maybe we could order a 25lb bucket of ESV and split it. I have a 4lb bucket that I have loved every minute of the 2lbs I have used out of it. I am starting to go through it faster now though so I want to get stock piled up a little bit. Let me know what you guys think. After shipping it would be around $4.57 per lb. basically I think someone posted that an online vendor has it for I think $89 for the 25lb bucket plus like $25 for shipping. That is about 8.33333 lbs for about $38 per person... Although I am not positive about the actual figures but that should give you guys a rough idea of the cost. Again I have used this stuff for a quite a while and I think it is primo stuff for the cost.

Twins Guy · 11-06-2005, 08:42 PM

hey tom-
sorry i didn't reply here sooner...i've got enough kalk to tide me over for awhile. at that point i may just go for a 4#er. you know me well enough to know that my mind is never made up for long-so investing in bulk-for me-is just never a good idea

maybe jp will be game though-once he gets home...

my initial impression of the ESV kalk (thanks a ton to Dave!) is-NICE! gone is the fluffy clumpy precip with the seachem. my supernatant saturated kalk appears to be more clear as well. not sure at the rate of settling, but once it is settled its a fine white flat layer. whether there is a "real" difference i don't know-but i already feel more comfortable with the ESV.

tg

jules77 · 11-07-2005, 12:18 PM

I would go in on the bulk if you are looking for another to partake. Ive been using the seachem and I agree it settles really fast and gets kinda clumpy at the bottom. Might be time to try something different