alk dosing question

[tbryan]

I'd like to try and dose reef builder thru my ato. Does anybody know if reef builder will stay dissolved long enough in the top off container to work properly.

 

[heathlindner25]

tbryan;846936 wrote: I'd like to try and dose reef builder thru my ato. Does anybody know if reef builder will stay dissolved long enough in the top off container to work properly.

I mix it in a 5 gallon jug of rodi, and use it throughout the week top off. keeps my alk steady

 

[tbryan]

Do you continually mix it or just mix it once and it stays dissolved.

 

[heathlindner25]

I take about 6 teaspoons and mix it in 1 cup of water, then pour itin a 5 gallon jug. It dissolves.

 

[tbryan]

Cool I'll toss it in the ato

 

[heathlindner25]

tbryan;846959 wrote: Cool I'll toss it in the ato

be careful with how much you use, there's a learning curve.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

I think Seachem actually has a calculator on their website (or at least they used to)

 

[tbryan]

Yeah I've got to figure out my weekly usage.

 

[dr_ fish]

I'm not that familiar with Reef Builder, but wouldn't make more sense to dose the correct portion of kalk in your ATO? That way you are replacing your Alk need with the appropriate Cal as well.

 

[patrick]

Buffer will dissolve and not present the stirring requirement issues to prevent reaction with atmospheric CO2 like kalk will. But as mentioned, if you have a kalk stirrer.....Jimmy is selling one....it would do both things for you.

 

[tbryan]

I don't have a calcium demand yet somehow,but I seem to be needing more and more alkalinity.

 

[outdrsyguy1]

Hmm.. can you guys expand on this topic a little? I currently mix 1 teaspoon kalk per gallon in my ATO and it it keeps my calc pegged at 400 ppm but my alk still bounces around a little 7.4 dkh to around 7.8 dkh. I'd like to try to keep it at 8+ if I can.

Can I mix the reef builder alkalinity booster with my kalk ATO?

What's the issue with kalk and CO2? My ATO is a garbage can with a cover (not air tight, but full cover). I stir it when I mix it every 5 days or so (6 gallon ato) but it does look kinda knappy. How often should I pull out the ATO and rinse it out?

 

[dr_ fish]

You don't need a kalk stirrer. I never understood why people think they do. Kalk dissolves in RODI water, so stay under the saturation point(2 tsp/G) and there is no need for a stirrer at all. Simply use a ATO container with a lid.

 

[camellia]

Dr. Fish;847021 wrote: You don't need a kalk stirrer. I never understood why people think they do. Kalk dissolves in RODI water, so stay under the saturation point(2 tsp/G) and there is no need for a stirrer at all. Simply use a ATO container with a lid.

Does it need to be totally air tight?
I drilled a 1/2" hole in my ATO container to run the hose out.
Thanks