A few dumb questions

[kware]

Here's another few dumb questions. What is kalkwasser? Is it just another way to add calcium? The same with limewater. What is buffer? What is the difference between these things and simple liquid calcium? They all tend to confuse me and I am not sure what is required and what is just a luxury.

[bertoni]

Kalkwasser and limewater are the same thing:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

It's a balance calcium and alkalinity supplement.

[kware]

So is kalkwasser or limewater better to use than seperately treating for calcium and alkalinity ?

[m2434]

kalkwasser is limewater and if you can keep up with ca and alk demands it's great. However, on my LPS dominated nano, I don't get enough evaporation for it to be effective and need to dose 2-part as well.

Dripping limewater will help raise your pH. I start a drip at night when the lights go out, to help stabilize the pH. One of these days, I might pull a bertoni and buy a dosing pump ;) If you add it too fast, it will raise the pH locally and cause precipitation, and you may end up replacing your pumps and powerheads often :lol:

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

There are many ways to supplement calcium and alkalinity. IMO, any method that ties them together is better than one that doe snot. So preferred methods include limewater, CaCO3/CO2 reactors, and two part systems.

These have more:


How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php