DIY Kalk Doser - Video Podcast Episode 44

[Rob]

Originally Posted by veriann

the whole thing went into the tank it would'nt cause disaster.

thanks V, i fixed the typo

[george1098]

I have one comment about using kalk as top up water. sorry if this has been mentioned already, but i read that its not such a great idea to add kalk to the tank later in the day because pH is gennerally higher (due to higher photosynthesis rates). we all know that most of the water evaporates during the day when the lights are on, so some people who practice this might have large pH changes through out the day. i'm sure its not too big of a problem, and a simple solution would be putting your auto top off system on a timer so it works early in the day. just wondering if anyone ells had any thoughton this.

[Rob]

yes, this is a good point.
i do think it applies more to people that are the doser mentioned that drips a whole container at once, even ad a slow rate.
and applies less to people that use it with an auto top off and only add small about over the course of a whole day.

that said, you are right...
if you are dosing using a container and dripping it in, the best time to do this is in the morning hours before you head off to work or whatever..

[wildeone]

OK I think I am ready to setup my Kalkwasser system for the first time. I have a doser pump, a jar of pickling lime (found it locally), some vinegar and Robs recepie. Now after reading Davids post above (post 4) I think that is the amount I should use. However I am unsure how big his tank is.

I can set my doser to dose at a certain rate and to stop doing after a certain amount. For my 65G what is a good starting point as far as how much and how fast? I think I will set it up to dose from a 5 gallon bucket or Rubbermaid container. Any help is appreciated.

[Rob]

well, there is no "set amount" (shock! right..)
since you are using a dosing pump, am i correct in assuming you are not using this as top off water?

if that assumption is right, get a measure of your Ca and Alk, and them start with about 1/2 a gallon a day. after 2 days, measure your Ca and Alk, if its still dropping, increase by 1/4 gallon.. then test, and so on.

if you are simply doing it for there other benefits besides Ca and Alk, then i would keep to 1/2 gallon a day or less, and confirm its not disrupting your PH, or raising your Ca or Alk to much.

[wildeone]

OK, I appreciate your input. Fat Walrus and I were paging back and forth on the subject. I think maybe I will start slower, just to be safe. I was thinking of dosing 125ml per hour for 8 hours at night for a total of 1 liter (about 1qt) per night.

I will check it after 2 days to be sure of my levels.

I will log in my journal online for all to see and comment on. Thanks again Rob and FW!

[Rob]

sounds liek a plan..

main point is dose, test, adjust.. dose, test, adjust...

[wwest]

ok i might of missed this in this thread but if i want to run one and i dont have a sump yet. would it be ok to run it about a drop a second for about 30 minutes or more in the mornings? just set it up on a timer?

[Rob]

yes, it can be does directly into the tank. this is how i did mine or months.
what you have to do (sump or display) is dose/drip it into a HIGH flow area, like right in front of a powerhead

[wwest]

ok i am trying to set it up right now but im having a gravity issue lol its either never (with pump running) or always (with or without pump) im going to build a shelf and see if that works lol

[Rob]

what do you mean by gravity issue.
so you pumping, not dripping?

[wwest]

i am doing the same thing you showed on the vid. but i am using a air pump to create the pressure in the kalk bottle. but if i put it to low ( where i want it ) it doesnt make it up to the tank. if i put it to high then its a constent uncontroled drip about a drip every second or 2 the biggest problem is i dont have room lol i was thinking about buying a rio like you have and forgetting about it. but i would really like to get this setup to work controled.