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View Full Version : shelf-life of kalkwasser once mixed


redspot321
03/19/2007, 07:09 PM
Im thinking of dripping KW. My 55 mixed reef is consuming aprox 200ml of 2 part per day.

My question is ...If I mix 15 gallons of KW how long will it be good for? I would rather mix a large batch at once rather than mixing daily....Thanks.

jmick
03/19/2007, 07:39 PM
It's my understanding that if you mix it and it's exposed to air that it's only good for 6-8 hours. I think if you mixed it in an air tight container you could get a few days out of it. I do 2-3 gallons at a time and always use it within 3-4 hours of mixing or until it settles.

redspot321
03/19/2007, 08:15 PM
Thanks for the reply jmick.

i just read this from this months tank of the month......

"I simply fill a 40-gallon Brute trashcan with RO water and kalkwasser, stir it for a few minutes, then forget about it until the next week. The kalkwasser is fed via a peristaltic pump attached to a float switch in the sump"

xtm
03/19/2007, 10:35 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9517453#post9517453 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redspot321
My 55 mixed reef is consuming aprox 200ml of 2 part per day.


umm.. that's quite a lot for a 55. Which 2-part do you use?

I mix Kalk with RO water in a 2.5 gal bucket that is dripped via Peristaltic Pump (Aqua Medic ReefDoser) I add 60ml of vinegar to my Kalk mix (60ml per 2.5g) This 2.5 gal mix is good for 1 week.

Peter Eichler
03/19/2007, 10:41 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9519451#post9519451 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtm
umm.. that's quite a lot for a 55. Which 2-part do you use?

I mix Kalk with RO water in a 2.5 gal bucket that is dripped via Peristaltic Pump (Aqua Medic ReefDoser) I add 60ml of vinegar to my Kalk mix (60ml per 2.5g) This 2.5 gal mix is good for 1 week.


I use 125ml of recipe #1 in my 65 gallon every day, if he's using #2 that's fairly close to the same. I do have a 50 gallon sump and 20 gallon fuge though.

supervdl
03/19/2007, 10:43 PM
I mix a bucket and it lasts for about a week. I use Aquamedic top-off doser.

drummereef
03/19/2007, 11:02 PM
The Degradation of Limewater (Kalkwasser) in Air
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm
;)

musty baby
03/20/2007, 12:13 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9519665#post9519665 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
The Degradation of Limewater (Kalkwasser) in Air
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm
;)
"..." :(

hceiv
03/20/2007, 12:54 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9520046#post9520046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ryansholl
"..." :(

Ditto, I thought refilling my topoff with kalk mixed in every week was good, but I guess not :(

DrBegalke
03/20/2007, 01:42 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9519665#post9519665 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
The Degradation of Limewater (Kalkwasser) in Air
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-...ature/index.htm
;)

If you actually read Randy's article, versus just scan the headlines, he states:

"... many aquarists have incorrectly concluded that substantial potency is lost as the limewater degrades, and that such a system will fail. ... In truth, it takes me five minutes to make up limewater every 2-3 weeks, so the idea that some other system is easier to use is simply unfounded. Later in this article I will show that such simple systems do not lose substantial potency, and hence should be considered by aquarists who have the space for large reservoirs."

and

"Limewater can lose potency by reacting with carbon dioxide in the air, forming insoluble calcium carbonate. Since calcium carbonate is not an effective supplement of calcium and alkalinity in reef aquaria, the limewater can become less useful through this process. The rate at which this happens in large containers, such as plastic trashcans with loose fitting lids, is much less than many aquarists expect. There is, in fact, little degradation under typical use conditions. Consequently, the dosing of limewater from such large still reservoirs can be just as effective as dosing using any other scheme, and may have substantial advantages. These advantages include simplicity of the system and the ability to use organic acids such as vinegar to boost the potency. The use of a reactor to dose limewater has the advantage of requiring less space, but does not have the oft-stated advantage of eliminating degradation by atmospheric carbon dioxide that is reported to plague delivery from reservoirs."

Quatro
03/20/2007, 02:03 AM
^^^^ Thanks for the clarification, I feel better now ;) ^^^^

PS. Do you have a direct link? The one posted previously does not work...

dkh0331
03/20/2007, 02:37 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9520335#post9520335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hceiv
^^^^ Thanks for the clarification, I feel better now ;) ^^^^

PS. Do you have a direct link? The one posted previously does not work...

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rhf/feature/index.php

coyoteseven
03/20/2007, 10:12 AM
Thanks for the working link, DKH. :thumbsup: