Tips on using kalkwasser in your reef

Kalkwasser is a cheap and effective way to maintain calcium and alkalinity in your reef tank. In the video, i'll discuss some of my best tips for dosing kalkwasser using your auto top off system. I also discuss ways to make kalkwasser dosing safer for your and your tank inhabitants.

[@Alex_Correa]

Very nice video! Simple and efficient! I know many friends online that use kalk like that. I found the easiest way to use kalk is to have a reactor with a motor to mix the solution 24/7 with blades. Avoid those models with a side powerhead to mix the solution! Using a rector is much easier to clean the container (reactor chamber) and there is no need to clean the ATO pump (used separely). The dosing pump will need only maintenance once a year to change the rubber. I also use vinegar to clean any deposits on the feeding tube and other parts of the reactor that needs attention when I clean the whole thing and change the powder. The old school style reactor with stirrers under them are also great, but they normally aren't used 24/7, only like 4 times a day, on for a minute or 2 to stir. Both types are great!!! The reactor is connected directly to the computer (Apex or ReefKeeper) in a dosing fashion as much/ longer you want through the day. Dosing mainly at night is recommended. That is precise in terms of dosage and will not fluctuate with any minor differences of evaporation whatsoever. I need to clean the reactor only every 2 or 3 weeks, saving me lots of time. The regular ATO system is also connected 24/7, sparely from the reactor. It is the same thing, but with much less effort and maintenance in the long run. More pleasurable IMHO.

[@TheBioReef]

thanks for the tip Alex. yes a reactor would definitely give you more control over dosing kalk. The main reason that i didn't go that route is that i have limited space in sump and also running out of outlets. Dosing kalk via the ATO has the advantages of not having to plug in or find space for any additional equipment; its a tradeoff between control and space; i went with space!

[@Alex_Correa]

You're right, you'll need the space for the base of the reactor. I planned ahead for space and plugs, making my own stand all measured out before anything else. Cheers!

[@thepassionreef]

Thanks for the shout out Amro much appreciated...tank is looking awesome as always....i like the conical tube idea very well organized...

[@TheBioReef]

thanks Ash

[@Reefkpr1]

Great video. Very informative. I used Kalk only on my Reef for almost 9 years. I eventually had to supplement with 2 part. Very helpful tips on using Kalk.

[@TheBioReef]

Reefkpr thanks! Wow 9 years. Any tips for me?

[@Reefkpr1]

LOL I'm old. I've been Reefing for 24 years. You covered Kalk really well. Only tip I have is you can add vinegar to SUPER Saturate the kalk. It also dissolves much faster and mixes better. I used 1/3 cup Vinegar and 2 Tablespoons of Kalk per 2 gallons of water. PH is 12.

[@TheBioReef]

Thanks for the tip Reefkpr

[@camillitime]

you are my favorite you-tuber, please keep on keeping on brother!

[@TheBioReef]

Joe Camilli thanks Joe

[@Vidishish]

I have a rubber maid bin that i mix my Kalkwasser , I installed a plastic bulked with a ball valve. I fill my ATO from that. The Kalkwasser slurry stays at the bottom of the bin. Nice clear Kalkwasser is drawn out.

[@TheBioReef]

Good tip

[@Davelembo]

Good info. Thanx for sharing

[@TheBioReef]

Dave's Nano Tanks thanks!

[@Val_Halla777]

Thanks for the thorough and informative video. I might try a possible solution to having the ATO shutting off from the coded high ph failsafe..by using a second jug of purely freshwater that the apex switches to in the event ph rises above acceptable range. But perhaps this goes against the simplicity of kalk via ato...and might as well use a separate kalk deliver entirely..what do you think? Also Im curious with your additional dosing of 2-part..Do you have this programmed to dose at night ? Thanks again. I really enjoy your vids..Awesome. 🙏👍

[@TheBioReef]

Val Halla that might work. I did switch away from Alk because my evaporation rate changes a lot from summer to winter and it always caused my parameters to change a bit season to season. I agree that it would be better to program a separate delivery system for Kalk to get more control

[@jb23guitar]

very informative thank you

[@TheBioReef]

thanks!

[@slirpslirp]

amazing video, i did not understand the part when you say that going in vacation is correlated with a danger raise in PH, why that happens?

[@TheBioReef]

my home is very well insulated, which means that when we are at home, the carbon dioxide levels are high. The co2 diffuses into the tank water making carbonic acid which reduces the Ph of the tank. When we leave, carbon dioxide levels are lowered, leading to higher ph of the tank.

[@philwu271]

Interesting that you add kalk to supplement dosing. I've gotten great results in the past by just using kalk by dripping. When I switched to dosing 3 parts, things didn't do as well... Maybe I should add kalk back in again...

[@TheBioReef]

it has some advantages and disadvantages. very easy and inexpensive. but harder to control. I am cutting back on my dose a bit... goal is to just do 2 teaspoons per 5 gallons. i have to dose two parts as a result, but that gives me a bit more control and stability

[@jb23guitar]

i'm calculating the drips per min. if I need 2liters a day and 15 drops equal 1 ml then 21 drops/min will give me 2000ml in 24hours

[@Shortnews2145]

anyone tell me. I am using red see KH & CAL but my PH is 7 so I want to get PH 8 so can I use kalkwasser together with Red Sea

[@TheBioReef]

Yes certainly you can

[@huntingtonreefer8634]

Nice vid

[@TheBioReef]

Thanks!

[@pollito2026]

I use Calcium Rector, but can I get the ph a tip to keep the ph stable?

[@TheBioReef]

Poderoso77 I don’t see why you can’t use both

[@pollito2026]

AmroAzul TV my problem is PH

[@davelenjan19]

are you still using kalkwasser in your current system? i know this video has been two 3 yrs old. it looks more simple to watch here.

[@TheBioReef]

I stopped using Kalk... just found it easier to control things with trident and 2 part dosing without any kalk... but it is still a super simple and effective way to maintain alkalinity

[@tsurro8086]

Is that all that ur are dosing? How much a day are u dosing.? I’ve been using 1tbs per gallon of kalk, saves me about 20 ml of two part daily, I don’t use too much, in case of too much ato increase!

[@dannymieke]

kalkwasser together with 2 part and no Co2 scrubber on the skimmer inlet.. too many variables uncontrolled, it is a recepy for disaster on long term if you ask me...

[@tsurro8086]

Actually I only dose 1tbs per 5 gallons of ato, my mistake!

[@BolverkrLimited]

You mentioned that you'll often make or have three 5g jugs prepared at a time; is there any harm in having it sit in a sealed jug for long periods of time, not being used?

[@TheBioReef]

i didn't notice any negative effects with keeping kalkwasser stored for 2 to 3 weeks before being used

[@Reefahholic]

I saw recently that you should only make enough Kalk to keep on hand and use for about 2 weeks max. Is this true? I would like to store it longer like you're doing.

[@TheBioReef]

Reefahholic I think randy had an article on this and I seem to recall that there was some drop off in potency as a function of contact with air. I kept my 5 gal jug closed and ran a wire of the ato pump through a narrow hole in the cap of the jug. Didn’t notice changes in potency of the kalk this way

[@Reefahholic]

AmroAzul TV Nice! Thx bro!

[@TheBioReef]

Reefahholic my pleasure, happy reefing

[@Val_Halla777]

Hi..Curious if you’ve had any experience with Brightwell’s Kalk+2 product? (Kalk, Magnesium and Strontium in one mixture)

[@TheBioReef]

no, i haven't. sounds interesting

[@honkey_boy]

How is your pump holding up being in the kalk?

[@pakcom-vl9kd]

Added some tank water went slightly white is that ok, did i add to much?

[@TheBioReef]

typically when adding alk or kalk... did the water go back to normal shortly after ?

[@pakcom-vl9kd]

@@TheBioReef took a day, but I think when adding it I should've allowed it to settle. think i added it quickly.

[@TheBioReef]

@@pakcom-vl9kd are you adding the powder directly into your tank ? i wouldn't not recommend this. you need to dissovle the powder first into rodi water, then slowly dose it to tank. you don't want to lead to a sudden phd and alkalinity spike

[@pakcom-vl9kd]

@@TheBioReef no mixed it but didn't let it settle long enough. will from know on make it a day before

[@TheBioReef]

pak123.com gotcha , sounds good but dose it slowly to tank

[@pollito2026]

Please