Kalk tips?

[dwyatt]

Well, I've been learning tons from this board, thanks for all the good reading! I've been using a 2 part calcium set for years and after reading a few threads on TRT decided to switch to Kalk to help elevate my ph some. I thought I would maintain CA levels with the kalk and touchup occasionally with the 2 part. I noticed my drip line clogs easily with the kalk (I use a airline valve to set the drip rate) - anybody have a better way to do this? Unfortunately, I don't have room for the Kent drip unit (although I wish I could find the slide type valve that they use). Also should I mix and use immediately or mix and wait. How long will it keep?

I would appreciate and thoughts!

Thanks

[fishinchick]

You know, I use Kalk too. I just drip in a little 3 times a day. I have a drip system but have yet to see a post about how anyone uses theirs only that they drip it. Great drip what does that tell me? Nothin. I dont know so I dont use mine.

My Calc. level is good in my tank accoridng to the test, But if I wanted to drip kalk what would someone reccommend for a 60 gal tank? I read it tells you to mix a gallon at a time but I dont use that much in a week, usually 2 quarts lasts me a little over a week. If I mix a gallon and dont use it in a week this is bad I assume?

Maybe what I should ask is how much do YOU drip per week?
And can someone help me learn how to spell?!?!?!?!?!?!

[Drew]

Hey guys,

I don't know how long this stuff will last because I never have any left over. I drip over 2 gal a day. I mix in the evenings, and drip the next afternoon. You should definitely wait I'd say around 10 hours or so before dripping to allow the particles which aren't soluable to settle on the bottom. Don't drip anything but clear solution. That is probably why yours clogs a lot. Mine has never clogged, and I never clean it (but don't tell anyone that) Adrienne, how much you should drip depends upon how much evap you get and how high your CA demand is. I for one have a lot of both so I drip as much kalk as I can. It's late, sorry I can't say maore, HTH.

Drew

[FishDaddy]

I use a Kent Aquadose to drip Kalk in my 55. This is basically a plastic jug with a plastic tube with IV drip valve. You can make your own.
I drip for my top--off water....usually about 3/4 gal. per day. Mix 1-1/2 tsp. of Kalk powder per gallon of RO water, let any precipitate settle, then use the clear liquid. I mix mine in Gallon jugs, let it settle for 6-8 hrs.

I actually use Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime or Ball Pickling Lime instead of commercial aquarium Kalk. Much, Much, cheaper and basically the same thing...it's available in the Home Canning section of many supermarkets. I prefer Mrs. Wages when I can get it.
Dick

[dwyatt]

Thanks for the info. One of the reasons I was asking in the first place was my recent conversation with an LFS in the next town over. He said they mix the kalk and immediately drip it in. This sounded strange but all of his tanks looked good.

I noticed that the Kent kalk leaves gunk on the surface of the of the solution in the mixing container as well as what settles on the bottom. I bought a no-name "reagent grade" Calcium Hydroxide which disolves much better than the Kent. I can't see anything on the surface after a few hours so I've been just pouring from this milk jug into my drip container. Hope this is not one of those ticking time bombs.

Any idea where to get one of those hospital type drip valve thingies?

[Doug1]

Check with a pharmacy or a home Parenteral care agency, they deal with feeding pumps and bags of the proper sort

[Grimmy]

It is a good thing to have a relative or someone you know that is in medicine. I just asked my brother to grab an IV for me. I ended up with the whole saline bag inline with the valve. They were wondering if I was doing drugs or something...I told them it was for my reef. They said "close enough"

I CAN'T HELP IT, SOMEONE HELP, I AM AN ADDICT!!

[bill-e]

To answer the "how long does it last" question. After 4 days it loses it's potency. You can keep it longer if you pour it into an air tight container and then drip it, but if you keep opening up the container, replenish after 4 days..