What the best way to mix kalk?

[cdub]

I usually just add my two teaspoons per gallon in a 5 gallon bucket with a powerhead for a few days. what does everyone else do?

 

[cameron]

When my topoff gets real low, I put 3tsp per gallon of kalk along with some vinegar into my 20g top off, flip the pump on overnight, turn it off the next morning and repeat every couple weeks.

 

[cameron]

Oh and I sometimes use less kalkwasser depeding on how much slurry is on the bottom of my top off container. Occasionally I only put 2tsp in.

 

[cdub]

so you don't premix it prior to putting it in the top off tub? i guess i had always thought you should, and then i even kept a powerhead going at all times in the top off to keep it mixed. what do you add the vinegar for? and how much do you add?

 

[cameron]

I just dump it right in the top off container. I do not premix but you likely get a better carbonate reaction if you do. As for the vinegar I add about 1tsp for every 1tsp of kalk each time I dose, but you should be able to do 2tsp per 1tsp of kalkwasser safely. Long story short and in very basic terms vinegar in the mix packs more calcium and alk into the topoff water. There is a long chemical reaction discussion that explains this but it is very involved.

 

[cdub]

something like.....

CH3COOH dissociates into CH3COO- and H+

Which in turn puts more H+ ions into the water to move the equilibrium in the CaCl+H2O -> Ca+, HCl, H2O reaction further to the right thereby increasing the amount of calcium your adding to your water

 

[dkelly]

is there a target pH people try to achieve for the Kalk topup?

 

[gwhiz]

cdub;103894 wrote: something like.....

CH3COOH dissociates into CH3COO- and H+

Which in turn puts more H+ ions into the water to move the equilibrium in the CaCl+H2O -> Ca+, HCl, H2O reaction further to the right thereby increasing the amount of calcium your adding to your water

yea---what he said! :wow2:

 

[cameron]

The full article on vinegar in the kalkwasser mix makes my brain hurt.

 

[victor626nj]

can you break it down real quick cause i would like to know thanks
victor

 

[skriz]

i just dump the kalk mix into the 5g bucket and give it a good stir. I doubt the powerhead running for a few days helps you at all.

 

[cdub]

is there a brand of vinegar that is preferred?

 

[cameron]

Just make sure it is distilled white vinegar beyond that I think anything will do.

 

[lockeoak]

Don't do what I did and keep it in a plastic coke bottle for a couple of weeks... **** stuff ate through the bottom of the bottle! I'll keep it in glass next time.

 

[flyingarmy]

You can also make a DIY Kalk chamber using a RO filter canister from Lowes/HD. I have been using one for years to help keep the PH stable.

Here are a few links to builds:
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2039">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2039</a>

[IMG]http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/nftt/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/nftt/index.php</a>

[IMG]http://www.hawkfish.org/infoctr/kalkdrip.htm">http://www.hawkfish.org/infoctr/kalkdrip.htm</a>

[IMG]http://www.mv.com/users/besposito/nilsen.html">http://www.mv.com/users/besposito/nilsen.html</a>

 

[mojo]

Or just buy a Kalk Reactor.... it makes the whole process much simpler...