Pickling lime for pH?

[NeveSSL]

Hi all!

I've heard of some people using pickling lime in the topoff for keeping their pH up. Maybe one tablespoon per gallon into the topoff? I'm not sure, but my pH is low and I was wondering what you guys think about it? Is there a better way to keep my pH up?

Thanks!

Brandon

[Mr..Tang]

pickling lime = kalkwasser

you can maintain your CA, Alk, and your ph with pickling lime. you need to test as you're dosing to keep from going to high. And as your tank matures, you won't be able to use Kalk alone. You will need to supplement with different chemicals

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Many folks, including me, use it for all calcium and alkalinity supplementation. This article has more:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

[Bri Guy]

One gallon of water will not hold any more than 2 tsp (not TBLS) of kalk until fully saturated, any more than that will just precipitate out.

[NeveSSL]

Thanks for the info, guys. I'll do more readying. We're going to have a kalk reactor up for raffle at our Frag Swap thats coming up... maybe I'll get lucky! :D

In the more than slight chance that I don't get it, any recommendations? I may just DIY one. :)

Brandon

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

FWIW, I prefer dosing from a still reservoir like a trash can, unless you are planning to put it under your stand and space is at a premium.

[NeveSSL]

I wish I had room for a trashcan. I'm in an apartment. :) I've thought about doing a small trashcan for topoff instead of using the 5g bucket I use now as it would be taller and I could conserve some space behind the tank (its caddy-cornered), but I don't think I could do two.

Our club president did a DIY reactor I'm thinking about doing, or just buying one. :)

Brandon

[atvdave]

I use Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime mixed into my top-off water to help my system.

In fact I purchased some from your clubs frag swap last year, I don't remember who had it. However my wife found it at walmart.

Also I keep it in a trash can like Randy said.