DIY Kalk Doser - Video Podcast Episode 44

[Rob]

The third video episodes is finally out. In this show i walk you though a basic DIY drip system. This is the system i mentions and linked to in the Kalk episode
You can find details to that show, and the link to the original article i worked from here

Please feel free to let me know and i will provide the info

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DIYKalk-TR-Ep44

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[hardtwist]

Enjoyed this one a lot Rob. Well done. Very clear and informative. My one question would be when and why would I use this?

Jim

[Rob]

thanks..

a kalk drip like this is used to maintain Ca and Alk in your tank.
its a cheaper and better option over 2 part additives that are available.

there are other benefits in that it stabilizes PH, can increase skimmer efficiency and output, and is overall healthier for the tank that many commercial products used for Ca or Alk.

if you do not have a reef tank, then you might not use this as much or at all.
however if you have a reef that is heavy with stony corals and clams a simple kalk drip system might not be enough.

[JustDavidP]

I drip 1/2 gallon of Kalk water every night and I have just a few zoas, mushrooms, and other polyps. I have nothing that has a real calcium uptake.

I did this to help "bind" the phosphates in my tank and increase skimmer efficiency. It's worked. My skimmer is at least twice as efficient, requiring attention every two days rather than once a week. My cyano battle is quickly coming to an end. My water is MUCH clearer (still can't figure out this correlation) AND my coralline algae on the LR has bloomed big time.

In my 75G reef, kalk dripping was not very efficient. Had I kept that bad boy running, I'd have cut in a calcium reactor to help with all of these issues and the incredible uptake that I had. That system was SPS and clam dominated.

Dave

[Rob]

as it stands right now, usign kalk as my top off water, is barely keeping up with my current calcium consumption rates.

i am actually looking into a kalk reactor or even a calcium reactor.

i would love to do a DIY kalk reactor and do it in a video..

[JustDavidP]

My buddy builds them weekly. He has reactors and sumps under construction all the time... sounds like a project to me

Dave

[Rob]

maybe we can set something up..
i will message you offline about this.

[bband]

I have a similar setup. I use an old hospital IV pump and a 5 gal jug in the basement and ran tubing up to the tank on the first floor. It is constantly dripping into my sump. Never used vinegar though - I'll give it a try.

What's the latest theory on the usable lifespan of kalkwasser over time. Some say you need to use it shortly after mixing or you lose the benefit of the kalk.

[Rob]

it does loose effectiveness..
however, if kept in an airtight container, that's not circulated, it has been show to maintain its effectiveness for up to a week or so.

the key is air tight.
to keep it simple, its the mixing of air that reduces the effectiveness of the kalk

[mdavis203]

After seeing the video, I'm planning on setting up one of these on my 55 gallon. Until I get an auto-topoff kit, I'm going to try to set it just under my normal evaporation rate. Has anyone done a test to see what the volume conversion is for drops of this stuff out of standard airline tubing? I know a rule of thumb for water from an eye-dropper is 20 drops/mL. But, while the density and viscosity of this stuff shouldn't vary from water enough to greatly affect that conversion, the size of the opening will.

For example, my tank loses anywhere from 0.25-0.5 gallons/day. If I want to set my kalk drip for 0.25 gallons/day, using 20 drops/mL, I need a drop every 4-5 seconds. However, I suspect that the drop from airline tubing will be larger, and I'll need to drip slower. I guess I can just set it up and monitor it.

[Rob]

to get that specific you would need a doser, with this method you will not likely get that accurate.

[jeepjon]

Another option for auto-top off...reverse the concept! Have the bottle lower than the tank. Make sure the end hanging over the water is open (i.e.-not underwater). Then use an air pump hooked up to a float switch...you know how you blew in to start the siphon...basically the air pump turns on when the water level goes down, and then pushes the kalk up and into the tank. Since the airline tubing end is open and there is no siphon because the bottle is lower than the tank...shuts off the flow when the pump turns off (with the float switch!) Got this idea off of TRT a while back. Bought a simple float switch online (about $7)...was a great investment!
-Jon