Kalkwasser Dosing Methods Explained

[@dusk1947]

Good topic. Having started reefing early in pandemic lockdowns. Kalk was by far the most appealing method I found. Yet, everyone was ignoring it at the time. I had to go back to 5 & 10 year old video's and old forum posts to learn the basic concepts. Though, I was happy to nod my head last year when the community seemed to rediscover the stuff, after a refocus on pH. Once I exceeded Kalk (at around 2 liters a day), I also found using all-for-reef to be a great next step over a full two or three-part system. Thank you Mr. Adams for that sage wisdom. That man will be missed. The key advantage again is cost. I only need 1 doser for Kal, and 1 for the all-for-reef concentrate. Granted I'm not running a multiple-hundred gallon system, where I'd suspect the concentrate would start to become costly.

[@calireef5092]

You run kalk and all for reef together? Isn't that a bit much?

[@jarredlkling]

This is the most efficient method. I too discovered this last year. My Dad and I have both started to doing kalk with all for reef after doing the balling method for over 15 years. I think it's deff the feature

[@jarredlkling]

@@calireef5092 no the kalk does most of the work the all for reef is more just the trace elements that the kalk doesn't have. If your maxing kalk the dosing in all for reef is really small. Like less than 20 ml a day

[@JZ-ht1kx]

What a coincidence. I just ordered kalkwasser last night and was researching the best way to add into the tank and there you drop the video.

[@ReefDudes]

Impecible timing!

[@JZ-ht1kx]

@@ReefDudes Hey Devin, just a quick question. How much kalk do i add to kalk reaction? Is it same as the bucket method and use dosing pump to add clear part to the tank?

[@JZ-ht1kx]

@@ReefDudes My pH is at 7.5 with hanna checker. My CO2 is probably very high in my house. I have CO2 scrubber, but always forget to change media. That’s why i am looking at dosing kalk.

[@ReefDudes]

@@JZ-ht1kx Yep it would be the same amount, the kalk reactor is more of a space saving design that lets you put rodi though it to dose saturated kalk rather than having a big pre mixed bucket.

[@JZ-ht1kx]

@@ReefDudes got it. Thanks.

[@bitcoinsig]

I have used the kent marine aquadose for kalk, it has worked for the last 20 years. It's a great solution that doesn't require any additional parts, at an unbelievable price to all the complicated solutions you presented. It's definitely something to consider for the cost conscious kalk users.

[@mmagscott]

Sounds great! Downsides? Does the tubing clog often?

[@bitcoinsig]

@@mmagscott I never had a problem, but you can always easily replace tubing or soak in an acid solution if you did. It's a low tech solution, but also a much lower cost solution to a kalk stirrer and versa pump. It easily fits into small cabinets, so it's pretty easy to hide it. You can also deliver using a low cost aqualifter pump if you want to control via power outlet control. Just make sure to have proper placement that stops siphons if you use a lifter pump, obviously.

[@donsreef5871]

Very good explanation of how to dose Kalkwasser.

[@ReefDudes]

Thanks Don !

[@tidalgardens]

Nice video Deven, thanks!

[@ReefDudes]

As promised. Hopefully it helps! :)

[@ts6377]

Thank you, simple and clear. Great job.

[@inventoryking]

So if I am using a kalk stirrer and I evaporate 2 gallons a day, am I going to push 2 gallons of the kalk thoughtout the day along with RODI ATO? or just the kalk? Still trying to understand Kalk.

[@ReefDudes]

Well your ato in theory wouldn’t be used or kick on but yes :)

[@raymenhuang5755]

Thank you very much for your instructions. I am going to go with the dosing pump route. I have all the equipment ready but still hesitate to make the switch from two parts to Kalk, only because I have no idea how much Kalk I should dose, can't find a clear instruction. I am trying hard not to make a big change to water parameters. Also, there's no trace element in Kalk, Do I need to dose trace element?

[@ReefDudes]

You would still want to dose your trace

[@Zbryant91]

I don't think I heard it mentioned in the video, but a huge benefit to switching to a kalk reactor is pump life vs pumping from an ato bin with kalk mix. Using a dosing pump to push RO water into a kalk reactor lasts a really long time vs running concentrated kalk mix through a pump. Back when auqalifter pumps were super cheap, this may not have been a big deal.

[@ReefDudes]

Ah yes! And much less maintenance!

[@CO.Reefing]

Best place to dose it into in an AIO? I was thinking the return chamber in my IM SR-80 Pro...

[@ReefDudes]

Return chamber is prob your best bet. Higher flow is best

[@Alen_D]

Thank you Devin! I needed this!

[@ReefDudes]

your welcome! hopefully it helps!

[@harisqureshi9897]

Super simple and effective Thanks

[@fishybizzness1592]

Hi, how much kalk are you adding to the stirrer every week? Great video btw.

[@ReefDudes]

Thx. I add 1/4 cup ish every week or so

[@ReefDork]

Do you test the potency in the reactor? Say at the end of the 6-8 weeks?

[@ReefDudes]

I add an extra scoop every week to week and a half to keep some fresh in the reactor and keep potency up. Seems easier than monitoring it

[@ReefDork]

@@ReefDudes Great stuff, thanks Dev - bought myself a stirrer a couple of weeks ago!

[@ReefDudes]

@@ReefDork Excellent! i don't even use my ATO any more. the stirrer 100% replaces my top off :)

[@tilexcan]

I utilize the same equipment to dose Kalkwasser into my sump. Initially, my pH increased as anticipated, but now the Kalkwasser appears to have no impact on my pH, despite dosing 10 liters a day into my tank. I'm puzzled about what could be the issue. Could you suggest what might be wrong? Currently, my pH never reaches 8, whereas initially, it would easily exceed 8.3. Thank you, Mervin Jones

[@Edgecrusher28]

If I were to dose Kalk to sustain a desired peak day PH, and supplemented Alk if needed to a desired level say 9DKh. After most of the dissolved C02 was removed would I be able to maintain Alk levels by holding PH levels with automated dosing/monitoring?

[@3r1ckt0rr35]

I’m dosing Kalk using a dosing pump about 2,000 mils a day to keep my DKH at 10, but my calcium is always around 530, I’ve tried water changes to lower but I don’t see a change, what do you think I should do? Not dosing anything else with calcium, only magnesium, and tropic Marin trace elements. TIA.

[@ReefDudes]

Stop dosing a bit and let it fall naturally then turn your dosing back on.

[@Kenny_Edmonton]

I’m using a 5 gallon bucket, using a Neptune Dos and I have it setup to dose my evaporation. I think it’s 115 doses of like 34.5ml every 11 min. Do you think it would be better to drip with a doser 24/7 ? Also what would be my best doser for this? I’m not sold on the DOS because it’s so big and loud ugh

[@PhotographyInFlight4183]

Would I need to supplement kalkwasser for a Soft/LPS tank? Or is it strictly for Sps tank.

[@CriticalErA]

how would you dose tropic marin trace elements using kalk?

[@ReefDudes]

Kalk shouldn’t really affect it. I dose both to my tank

[@Mark.Clarke]

What are your timer settings on the stirrer? How often do you change out the kalk?

[@ReefDudes]

Every 6-8 weeks I’ll rinse it out and start fresh. It stores 24/7

[@codyspencer3491]

@@ReefDudes what do you do with the leftover solids in the bottom of the stirrer when you start fresh? Do you just pour it down the drain?

[@ReefDudes]

@@codyspencer3491 use a hose or a showerhead to flush it out very well to clean it.. every few months ill give it a citric acid soak then re fill it and start fresh

[@Cw2228]

Great information thank you!

[@TonyDamazio]

How much should you dose in a day? With a constant dose. I understand it depends on your chemistry levels but should it be dripping constantly all day every day?

[@tilexcan]

I've installed the Kalk Stir system on my tank and am currently dosing 11 L per day. I set my dose to replace the evap water so the kalk stir replaces my ATO. The Ph reading I'm getting from the stir container is usually 12.1. My Alk runs between 8.98 to 9.1 and my ph runs 7.9 to 8.2. I'm thinking I should be getting higher PH. What are your thoughts?

[@patrickbcox]

Great topic! Question: Are there any concerns about dosing the Kalk over a long distance? My fish room is about 25 feet from my tank. Could I run a dosing line over this distance? If you dose from a large bucket, does that need to be stirred or just mix it and forget it? Thanks!

[@ReefDudes]

Large bucket you can mix and forget it. Jsut keep a lid on it. I don’t see any issue over 25’. Prob Just have to clean out the lines once in a while

[@Botzz28]

Can you mix the kalk and dose it manually everyday ?

[@ReefDudes]

Yea you could. But you want to do it slowly. So you could “drip” it in or use a pump to dose it

[@avastmarine]

Great video! My biggest question is "exactly" how tall is the stand that you have your stirrer on?

[@ReefDudes]

The stand below the stirrer? It’s a skimmer stand I’ll measure it later for you. My question. Any hope of an adjustable speed motor?! :)

[@avastmarine]

@@ReefDudes you should check the Kalkulator on the the site, I have pulled thousands of samples of kalk over the last 2 years to better dial in dosing recommendations. Data informed product innovation is something we are committed to and the next gen stirrer will greatly benefit from this. Variable speed does not equal consistency though :)

[@spicyreef]

Anyone else adding vinegar to the kalkwasser solution to increase potency? I found about 4 tablespoons in 5g water and 10tsp of kalk, the solution remains 12.4 PH. I do this because my tank does not evaporate enough for the kalk dose to keep up the alk in my tank...

[@WB25Penn]

Why not just add soda ash?

[@spicyreef]

@@WB25Penn B4 using vinegar i did, but it's so much easier to keep alk and calcium in balance plus one less thing to dose. Now I only dose kalk + mag

[@WB25Penn]

@@spicyreef ah that's where I was kinda thinking. How far will adding vinegar to the kalk take you? I am currently guessing but I am going to be over my evaporation limit when summer rolls around, however my plan is adding fans. One fan did make a pretty big difference.

[@ReefDudes]

I haven’t tried vinegar yet so intressting to hear your mix! One day I’ll have to dabble there :)

[@tenchi144]

Excited to try out my 2little fishies Kalk stirrer. 60 breeder all drilled and plumbed just need my sump baffles and some rock to get it up and cycling, too much excitement! Herd you had this stirrer, do you have any advice on it?

[@ReefDudes]

Use a dosing pump rather than your ato. The two little fishes one tends to like more pressure so may be better doing Bursts every so often with that one

[@mnelson10000]

Do you have problems with the outlet on the stirrer clogging? I had an Avast Marine stirrer that I gave up on because the nozzle would clog every few days and I got paranoid that it would flood out the stand. Is there a trick there to prevent that? I went back to good ole kalk in the ato... never failed me.

[@ReefDudes]

Never had that issue. It’s a pretty large output. I do clean it every 2 months or so

[@albertviamontes7992]

What’s the best way to dose kalk to an AIO like an IM 25 lagoon?

[@ReefDudes]

I would prob mix a batch and use a dosing pump

[@albertviamontes7992]

Much appreciated. I guess my concerns were regarding the longevity of the pump, but I guess I can always buy replacement parts! Thanks so much for responding!

[@ReefDudes]

@@albertviamontes7992 So true! welcome :)

[@kckc1801]

You said do do. Lol. Great video.

[@ReefDudes]

Lol thx :)

[@jacbuc1]

How do you know how much to dose? I mean how much to dose 1.0 alk to your tank?

[@ReefDudes]

its always best to start low, dose for a bit then test the next day and see what impact it has on on your tank. you can always up your dose if you need more.

[@jacbuc1]

@@ReefDudes thank you! Im setting mine up today and this video along with a few of your older ones really helped.

[@mybeachshack]

I find I am adding so much kalk-mix/water to arrive at my 8.3 target, that my calcium is 500ppm, salinity is 24 and dropping from all the fresh water, and, the Alk is 9+. Any advice anyone ?

[@TheTrevor40]

How do you get your versa to push more than 3000 ml per 24 hours?

[@andibandi1190]

can‘t you add CaOH powder directly to the sump, using an automatic feeder?

[@queencityreefs]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@EugeneRu777]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@PepeCoinMania]

dont have SPS and dose in ATO thats it. if you want SPS its another game

[@benclark452]

If your going to make a video talking about Kalk for beginners, Don't start talking about slurry! Or if you do, explain what it is and how its really easy to kill your whole tank and should be left to experts.

[@ReefDudes]

I did say for most people don't do it! I knew i was going to get question on it so figured its best to explain what it is... you will no doubt read/hear about it while researching kalk.. so best to be informed!

[@rolisreefranch]

BRS got you digging deep for topics, eh?

[@ReefDudes]

you obviously didnt watch my livestream last week. It was requested I make some videos explaining kalk more as well as talk about how a stirrer worked.

[@Oceansidereefing]

I personally asked him to make a video about this topic last week.

[@vascomoreira3936]

what a narcissistic tone...

[@spicyreef]

What's a brs?

[@vascomoreira3936]

@@spicyreef Brs tv. another channel. it's quite the lack of elegance saying it imo