Kalk

[Hardridge]

Used 10 teaspoons of kalk to 5 gallons of top off water ( tank evaporates about 5 to 6 gallons a week. So far it hasn't raised my ph at all. Does that mean its not strong enough?

 

[crzytrace]

Do you have a open top or is it covered? is your house very well insulated? I had the same issue so I put my air intake for my skimmer right by a drafty window and took my glass top off, and my ph went from a 7.7(night)-7.9(day), to 8.0(night)-8.2(day). I also keep my fuge lights on opposite cycle of dt. What are your parameters? 2 tsp a gal is saturated kalk and no more will disolve.

 

[Gregcoyote]

5-6 gallons a week into what size system?

 

[Hardridge]

Do you have a open top or is it covered? is your house very well insulated? I had the same issue so I put my air intake for my skimmer right by a drafty window and took my glass top off, and my ph went from a 7.7(night)-7.9(day), to 8.0(night)-8.2(day). I also keep my fuge lights on opposite cycle of dt. What are your parameters? 2 tsp a gal is saturated kalk and no more will disolve.

Ok I have no top on tank house is insulated. Does it take a while to come up from kalk? It's come up a few points. Thx for info

 

[Hardridge]

Do you have a open top or is it covered? is your house very well insulated? I had the same issue so I put my air intake for my skimmer right by a drafty window and took my glass top off, and my ph went from a 7.7(night)-7.9(day), to 8.0(night)-8.2(day). I also keep my fuge lights on opposite cycle of dt. What are your parameters? 2 tsp a gal is saturated kalk and no more will disolve.

I have no lids. Does it take awhile for ph to rise. It has come up about .3 thx for info

 

[Hardridge]

I have no lids. Does it take awhile for ph to rise. It has come up about .3 thx for info

Tank size is 80gal

 

[crzytrace]

ph should be at its peak during your peak lighting hours, rising when your lights go on, and falling when they shut off. I drip kalk overnight to help keep it stable overnight at about 8.2 . the spike from kalk is usually pretty quick. I like to keep a slow steady drip, it takes about 9hrs for a gallon, at least on my tank-a 55g. dont drip too fast or you will get a big spike. if you dont notice a ph increase look for other causes,such as excess carbon dioxide in your home, or low alkalinity. i dont really concern myself with ph other than letting the tank decide where it wants to be and help it stay there. the main reason I drip kalk is to help with my calcium and alkalinity.