Dosing kalkwasser and others

[danderso]

Hello

Not really new but have been away from the hobby for a few years. I haven't seen much about using kalkwasser on here. I had some success with this before. Is this still being done. Is there anything else I should be dosing for a mixed reef system? I have a 65 gal tank and I plan to change 10 gallons a month and use kalk for topping off. Also plan to use about 50% seawater that I collect offshore. Is there anything special I should do to the seawater before using it? A few years ago it was thought that the best way to use seawater was to black it out for a couple of weeks to kill anything in it then try not to use the bottom layer of sediment. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[DrBegalke]

What do you have in the tank now?

Yes, people still use kalk, I personally do not... choosing instead to use two-part (seperate alk and calcium) solutions.

In general, do not dose something until you have tested for it.

The kalk you want to calculate your demand first, then calculate how much to be adding, see the articles below.

The seawater I would probably mechanically filter and run through carbon, after/as you black it out.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php#5

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/2/chemistry

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The advent of cheap DIY two parts has pushed up that method substantially, but two parts, CaCO3/CO2 reactors and limewater are the primary methods used in the US.


I use only limewater (kalkwasser), but it alone will not meet the demand of a heavy SPS tank. :)

[thegrun]

I also use Kalk although I need to dose a little Alk and Ca to keep up with the demand of my mainly SPS tank. Back in the late 70's I used to collect salt water and store it as you suggest. I don't see any harm in using that method; a 6 week in the dark holding period will assure all parasites have died off.

[danderso]

Thanks for the feedback. I think my earlier methods were to begin using kalk as soon as I had lr and lights on. I dont have any corals in the tank yet. Just lr, sand, hermits, a couple of snails and 2 small clowns. My plan is for 2 more fish, a couple of shrimp, some softies, lps, and maybe a clam or 2. So I'm thinking I should just keep testing as I go and if the kalk and water changes can't keep up with calcium demand I'll consider additional dosing? Any suggestions for test kits? I already have the basic - amm, nitrate, nitrite, and ph. I need a calcium test kit and what else? And thanks for being patient with me -- I have forgotten so much, but very happy to be back in this hobby and so glad I found this site!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That sounds llike a fine plan. :)

Calcium and especially alkalinity are the main things to monitor.

These may help:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 1: The Salt Water Itself
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php

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

The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 3: pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

[thegrun]

Glad to hear you're getting back into the hobby. I took about a 15 year break when our kids were young; EVERYTHING had changed during the time I was away. You nailed it as far as kalk use goes. Top off with kalkwasser, until you add a large amount of SPS, LPS or clams, the kalk should keep up with your needs. You may never need to dose on a regular basis. In addition to calcium, you should test for alkalinity and magnesium once you start with corals. I've used mostly Salifert test kits in the past; you can read their kits to a higher degree of accuracy than some of the others. The new Red Sea Pro series of test kits are nice, I just started using them and they seem to be nearly as good as the Salifert. Best of luck with the new tank.

[danderso]

Thanks guys so much for the help. There is such an overwhelming amount of info on here my brain just cannot absorb it all at once lol. I can remember reading every book I could get my hands on back in the day. They all had great info too, but having this site is incredible. If anyone is interested I do have a thread on the build in reef discussion. I don't know how to attach the thread here but its "Mr Anderson's 65 gal build". Welcome any feedback and/or criticisms.