Kalkwasser

[duke1231]

I was reading a book called "The Nano Reef Handbook" by Chris R. Brightwell. He was saying how great Kalkwasser was because of the high calcium found in it, but that it also has a high PH which could be detramental to a nano reef. He said a great alternative is Calcium carbonate. I was wondering what you guys thought about that. I am starting a 29 gal. and wanted to know if Kalkwasser could be used for my size, or if I should go with the calcium corbonate? thanks

[Stevej72]

My 24g after LR / LS is closer to 18g. so your 29g should end up 20g - 23g.
I don't dose Calc at all. Just water change and and buffer. The Calc in my nano stays around 480 just by water change

[duke1231]

So I wonder why he talks about adding calcium in this book if it can just get replaced by water changes?

[gwen_o_lyn]

If you have a system that needs a lot of CA, then you do need to add it. Clams and SPS can have a high demand for CA.

[Stevej72]

Not that Im an expert but I have gone thru this book at a LFS and in the NANO world it is crap.
Copied from Amazon.com: The Nano-Reef Handbook: Books: Chris R. Brightwell Book Description
Any reef aquarium that contains less than 15 gallons of water is considered a nano-reef aquarium. These tiny ecosystems are almost as popular in the fishkeeping community as full-size marine aquarium setups, and with the proper information and tools, they can be set up and maintained by aquarists at any level of the hobby.
The wide range of topics covered in this guide include the importance of water quality and tips on maintaining stable water parameters; components of a nano-reef and how to choose the appropriate aquarium, lighting, and accessories for a tank; which fish and invertebrates are best for these types of tanks; and much, much more.

For a reef enthusiast looking for a new challenge or any up-and-coming fish hobbyist, nano-reef aquarium are a stunningly beautiful option. The Nano-Reef Handbook contains all the information necessary to get started.

About the Author
CHRISTOPHER BRIGHTWELL has been an aquarium hobbyist for more than 25 years and has set up and maintained all manner of aquaria. In 1999, he earned a degree in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina Univerity. Chris and his wife currently live in Keansburg, New Jersey, with their 180-gallon planted aquarium and 75-gallon reef aquarium.

Any reef aquarium that contains less than 15 gallons of water is considered a nano-reef aquarium.

Wrong Try 30 Gal. or less IMO 40g or less is nano

CHRISTOPHER BRIGHTWELL has been an aquarium hobbyist for more than 25 years and has set up and maintained all manner of aquaria. In 1999, he earned a degree in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina Univerity. Chris and his wife currently live in Keansburg, New Jersey, with their 180-gallon planted aquarium and 75-gallon reef aquarium.

Where is his nano expertise? How many Nano tanks has he setup?
Anyone with a pin and paper can be an Author. This book is right up there with the 16 year old in the LFS telling you that a 20g reef is perfect for a snowflake eel and two yellow tangs.
this book does have "SOME" good info but there are better sources out there for nano reefers

[Stevej72]

Sorry if I sound harsh but like Amp says "Truth is truth"

[duke1231]

It's not harsh to me, I didnt write it. I must say, not that I am expert either obvoiusly but in the back of the book some of the livestock seems like a bit much for the size tanks.

[RealChange]

ive read somewhere that kalk has other benifits other than raising your alk and calc levels. can someone refresh my memory on what other benifits kalk might have.

thanks

[Stevej72]

Its like he thinks everything is the same for a nano as it would be for a 150g and that is just not the case. only bad things happen quickly, and in a nano even quicker. Don't add anything unless you are testing for it. You can OD a nano very easily.

[duke1231]

Do you know of any good nano books out there?

[Stevej72]

I have not found one yet that. But I haven't looked at them all. Nano tanks need religious husbandry, know your water quality it can go bad very fast there is no dilution (room for error) As far as livestock, http://www.liveaquaria.com/default.cfm?siteid=20 has a good nano section, And I just read Nano post and ask Nano keepers.

[V]

well considering the high maintanence and experience needed to run a nano successfully, i dont concider (in my option ) it to be an entry level branch of this hobby, quite the oppersite. take one look at Q's tank, she's prob your best and freshest source for knowledge on the site!

as for water changes keeping up with the Ca levels, it depends whether its enriched or not, and as its been said, higher up the skilled food chain the corals draw more> sometimes alot more than you'd expect!

other benifits to kalk is the actual vingar side. it increases bactera populations and helps with the corals absorbtions of the other ions!

just a shout out to you guys, nothing in this hobby can be considered wrong. geographic practises , concepts and implimentations differ depending which side of the fence you on! some people can have proven results where other fail even implimenting the same set-ups. just something to keep in mind! if your not likiing a piece of info, reach out for another source! thats how i go about it anyways!

nano tuners had some info if i remember correctly.

[Stevej72]

V I agree with you but sometimes there is just bad/wrong info.
And that book is full of it.
Every tank is a case by case basis as to what it does and does not need. there is no one recipe for success.

[duke1231]

I am lucky because my job allows me to have a lot of time before and after work to work with it. It keeps me out of the wifes hair lol. Or should I say will keep me out of the wifes hair.

[Stevej72]

LOL Mine keeps my credit cards in the wife's purse

Have any luck with that link?

[V]

card arrest seems to be common among us spend-aholics, sometimes its hard to diffuse the wife or purse to which swallowed it!