Kalkwasser Mix

[awakener]

I recently purchased the Kent Marine Aquadose to dose my aquarium with Kalkwasser mix and to keep my water level controlled. In addition to this, I have their Liquid Calcium, Strontium & Molybdenum, and Iodine solutions. All of these say they may be dosed with Kalkwasser. Does this mean I should add these solutions to the Aquadose unit WITH the Kalkwasser mix? So far I've been administering the recommended dosage directly to the tank. I wonder if there'd be settling in the Aquadose container that would prevent a fair dosage of the solution over the week period it lasts.

[Agu]

The way I look at it is if all those chemicals could safely and efficiently mixed into one dose someone would be selling it that way. I suspect mixing them would result in chemical reactions that at the least would neutralize their effectiveness, at worst create a toxic soup. I wouldn't mix them.

Why are you planning to dose so many chemicals though ? By the time you pay for the chemicals, appropriate test kits, and do it all correctly, it would be easier and cheaper just to do an extra water change or two.

[awakener]

Well all of the liquid solutions came in a set together and they all say they can be dosed with Kalkwasser mix. The reason I'm adding it is because my calcium level is low (300 ppm) and that worries me.

[rbursek]

I have the 2.5 gallon Kent and in the instruction sheet that comes with it it wil tell you what you can and cannot mix with Kalk to dose with. Instructions are nice to read! LOL
Bob

[m2434]

What does Strontium & Molybdenum, and Iodine have to do with calcium?

[awakener]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11014871#post11014871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rbursek
I have the 2.5 gallon Kent and in the instruction sheet that comes with it it wil tell you what you can and cannot mix with Kalk to dose with. Instructions are nice to read! LOL
Bob

Of course. I thought some insight could be offered for the bottles and the instruction sheet contradict each other.

The strontium & molybdenum and iodine was simply included with the Liquid calcium for a low price.

[m2434]

Strontium and iodine are somewhat controversial and likely toxic at high levels. I would at least test for these first.

[cilyjr]

have you read these?
this is a basic explanation of calcium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2002/chem.htm
this is different problems and ways of correcting them
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

have you checked your alk levels they are very intertwined and solving low calcium often (but not always)means doing more than simply adding calcium. also dripping kalkwasser to bring up calcium is more complicated than just starting a dripp. it is more often used to maintain levels once they are in the target range.
read through those articles and if you have any questions please ask!

[awakener]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11015171#post11015171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cilyjr
have you read these?
this is a basic explanation of calcium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2002/chem.htm
this is different problems and ways of correcting them
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

have you checked your alk levels they are very intertwined and solving low calcium often (but not always)means doing more than simply adding calcium. also dripping kalkwasser to bring up calcium is more complicated than just starting a dripp. it is more often used to maintain levels once they are in the target range.
read through those articles and if you have any questions please ask!

Thank you for your help. Both articles were a fine read. My alk levels seem to be in the right area dKH- 9.9, Alk 3.54meq/L. The article you posted suggests that liquid calcium is a good solution. And even though I am at 300ppm, 3 weeks ago is was quite less. Again, thank you.:)

[bertoni]

The kalk would likely cause the molybdenum and strontium to precipitate. The same might be true for iodine. I'd advise against mixing them. This article might help:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2003/chem.htm