kalkwasser

[PatM]

I want to try dosing kalkwasser as I've heard the results are better than simply dosing calcium. Is this the stuff to mix? The hardware store said this is the same as builders lime but I'm unsure. Also, is it correct that the proper mix will read 900 [acronym:73161ee9a0="milligrams or magnesium, depending on context"]mg[/acronym:73161ee9a0]/l of calcium? And is there a good way to determine your dosage? I've heard that you just add kalkwasser instead of your top off water, monitor [acronym:73161ee9a0="Calcium"]Ca[/acronym:73161ee9a0] levels and adjust accordingly. Any good tips?

[ZoozFishMaster]

Kalkwasser, in my opinion, is the best way to maintain calcium levels in a reef aquarium (besides of course a calcium reactor). Kalkwasser is calcium hydroxide. I'm not sure if builder's lime is the same. Many people add kalkwasser as their make up water; however, if the inhabitants in your tank do not use the calcium as fast as you are adding it, then the calcium level in the tank will rise. Be sure to add the kalkwasser slowly to avoid a drastic increase in pH. Also, if the kalkwasser is added too quickly a "snowstorm" can occur. This is when calcium carbonate actually falls out of solution. Get a good test kit and test your calcium level regularly.

[JG]

Not sure about the builders lime. But Pickling lime from the grocery store is the same chemically and is a heck of a lot cheaper than kalkwasser from [acronym:95134c863b="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:95134c863b].

Joanne

[xahx]

i use kents kalkwasser mix, powder form of course! works great!

[Brad]

What hasn't been said here yet is that [acronym:87002b6993="Kalkwasser"]Kalk[/acronym:87002b6993] is used because you are adding BOTH [acronym:87002b6993="Calcium"]Ca[/acronym:87002b6993] AND [acronym:87002b6993="Alkalinity"]Alk[/acronym:87002b6993] at the same time. So it isn't just about your [acronym:87002b6993="Calcium"]Ca[/acronym:87002b6993] level....it's about maintaining both [acronym:87002b6993="Calcium"]Ca[/acronym:87002b6993]/[acronym:87002b6993="Alkalinity"]Alk[/acronym:87002b6993] levels.

You should monitor both [acronym:87002b6993="Calcium"]Ca[/acronym:87002b6993]/[acronym:87002b6993="Alkalinity"]Alk[/acronym:87002b6993] to ensure that you don't over dose the [acronym:87002b6993="Kalkwasser"]Kalk[/acronym:87002b6993].

[acronym:87002b6993="Kalkwasser"]Kalk[/acronym:87002b6993] is Calcium Hydroxide...the Calcium part is obvious..the Hydroxide (OH) part combines with atmospheric [acronym:87002b6993="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:87002b6993] to produce carbonate alkalinity.

I was unsuccessful trying to subsitute [acronym:87002b6993="Kalkwasser"]Kalk[/acronym:87002b6993] for evaporated water. That just wasn't precise enough and my [acronym:87002b6993="Calcium"]Ca[/acronym:87002b6993]/[acronym:87002b6993="Alkalinity"]Alk[/acronym:87002b6993] usage wasn't that high. It is really easy to over-dose in that situation.

If you going to use it to replace your evaporated water, I suggest that you start with a mix that contains almost [acronym:87002b6993="Normal Output Fluorescents"]NO[/acronym:87002b6993] [acronym:87002b6993="Kalkwasser"]Kalk[/acronym:87002b6993] and very slowly increase the concentration of the mix while measuring the [acronym:87002b6993="Calcium"]Ca[/acronym:87002b6993]/[acronym:87002b6993="Alkalinity"]Alk[/acronym:87002b6993]. Eventually, you'll find the concentration that holds your values steady.

[PatM]

Yeah, I've been using Seachem's Reef Plus and Seachems calcium for over two years with great results, but I've been told that [acronym:100fc87a62="Kalkwasser"]Kalk[/acronym:100fc87a62] is the way to go. My [acronym:100fc87a62="Calcium"]Ca[/acronym:100fc87a62] and [acronym:100fc87a62="Alkalinity"]Alk[/acronym:100fc87a62] are both in check and I test just about everything you can twice a month. I mainly want to reduce costs a little bit and the Seachem Calcium seems expensive since I've found numerous articles on making [acronym:100fc87a62="Kalkwasser"]Kalk[/acronym:100fc87a62] from calcium hydroxide bought at the hadware store with good results. I'm just not sure if this is the right stuff, but a 25 lb. bag was less than $10.

[MadManMac]

Go to Mrs. Wages website and you can order food grade Calcium Hydroxide, it has fewer impurities and is only $1.89 for a large can. I bought 5 for about 15 bucks including shipping and it has worked wonders.

[PatM]

I did find a website of someone last night, though I lost it and don't keep my history, of someone saying they were using this regularly, though I'm still a little unsure. They did have beautiful tank photos and it was updated recently. The websit on this stuff says it's completely safe for gardens with edible plants so I have to think that it's pretty safe.

[grimlock3000]

The standard pickling lime has proven itself many times over to reefers around the country. When you can buy a can of pickling lime for less than $2, you really have to ask yourself at which point it is not worth the risk to save any more money.

[PatM]

Thanks grimlock3000, point well taken. Just trying to take it one step further ya know? Basically all thats in that stuff is calcium and magnesium, both of which are added to a reef anyhow. I like to try to pioneer new ideas, and I've used this stuff before to adjust [acronym:fb3716b626="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:fb3716b626] in the wifes garden and eaten the veggies that come out of it so I have my doubts about it being harmfull. Maybe I'm just cheap!