Kalk or Two part?

[Mark75]

I have always used a kalk drip to maintain calcium and alkalinity. I recently bought some Kent two part, why is two part better than kalk? Can I still drip kalk and use the two part?

[Rouselb]

Two part is more concentrated. You can dose 2 part, and top off with Kalk at the same time. Kalk will keep ca and alk at a level until the demand is too much, then 2 part is required.

[Mark75]

Is there a formula for how much a given amount of kalk will raise cal. and alk.? I do not want to get it to high.

[Rouselb]

There's a calculation for 2 part see: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

As for Kalk, i dont think so. I top off with Kalk water made from mrs wages pickling lime. I add about 5 gallons a day. My ca and alk never really change.

[burris]

Water changes are more important when using 2-part for most of your ca/kh makeup since it skews your chemistry towards chloride and sodium.

[Mark75]

I think I am going to continue using kalk for cal. and alk. supplements until my livestock demands exceeds what it can provide. It has worked so far. I will just put the Kent two-part up until then.

[mile sq. reefer]

Do not use 2 part and kalk at the same time, it may cause precipitation. It is best to test, see where you are at and use the two part to correct the levels. Then you can use kalk, 1tsp per gallon of RO/DI water dripped overnight. This will keep the levels correct and stabilize PH. Night time dripping also keeps the PH from increasing too much while dosing the tank.