Want to try Kalk?

Where to begin, where to begin? Lets just say I haven't had any luck yet with LPS corals... Either due to my impatience (moving them too much), or poor water chemistry.

My softies and fish have been doing well but I think it's time I really hunker down and stabilize my parameters. I believe this will also help with my algae problems (DrTim's is working wonders though). Here are my parameters as of tonight.

SG 1.27 (Yikes!)
Phosphate 0
Nitrate 0
Calcium 440
Alk 5

SG needs to come down, Alk needs to go up.

To fix my SG problem I already have an ATO from AutoTopOff.com coming in the mail. I will get it down to 1.25 and hopefully it will stay there.

As for Alk what should I use to increase it?

I plan on getting a PH probe for my Apex Jr and begin using Kalk in my ATO container to maintain Calcium and Alk once I get the levels where I want them. I would like to stay away from a 2 part system as I want to keep everything as simple as possible.

Will a system of mainly softies and some LPS benefit from Kalk?

When buying a PH probe I read that I need a solution to calibrate it? Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what solution to buy for a Neptune probe?

For those that don't know my system is a 30 breeder w/ 20 sump.

Thanks in advance!

 

Any LPS is definitely going to do better at a higher alk and reduced alk swings. Seems like a very unusually low value, first thing you could do is more water changes.

As for 2 part versus the use of kalk and ease of use, 2 part is going to be easier IMO and I use both. Especially in a 30 gallon tank.

All corals will benefit from a more consistent alk level regardless of type.

Again I find that to be a strange value for a tank with mostly soft corals is the measurement in meq/l or dkh?

Always a good link.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

Corailline, thanks for your input! Would you elaborate on why you say 2 part is easier? I've never used either but I really don't want to get into multiple jugs, dosing pumps, so on and so on if I can avoid it.

I was under the impression (and with my limited knowledge my understanding may be wrong) that I could use Kalk in my ATO water and it should keep things stable? Once I found the correct dosage in relation to my tank parameters of course.

I'll check out the link! Thanks again.

 

I use Kent parts a/b or Two little Fishes A/B.

In small tanks you can just manually does.

Right now I dose on cap full on Sun/Wed/Fri. I put in the sump or top off water but dose a couple minutes apart to allow it to disperse.

Much easier than kalk and safer.

 

Corailine, I just looked up the Kent Nano A/B... I think that's what I'll go with. Looks cost effective and (as you stated) easy! Thanks a lot.

 

With kalk you have to mix it allow it to settle and skim off the upper most layers to prevent disturbing the sediment. It's not hard but more of a pain than manually dosing 2 parts in my experience and it provides more consistent control with parameters.

 

I am new to kalk, I used to dose 2 part, and I must say Kalk is so easy and convenient. For a medium to low demand tank its a great choice. I just do a slow drip, and refill the jug every few days... simple as that. Its good at maintaining levels and can precipitate all kinds of undesirable elements in your tank. Oh and I almost forgot... Its super cheap!

 

I agree, Kalk is pretty easy, although I use it in my ATO, heres a thread I had on it with some great advice.
http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemistry/kalk-ato-how-much-138021.html

 

as cosmo stated, ato dosing is probably the best choice when it comes to kalk. For my large tank, i plan on using my ato, however i utilize the drip on my nano.

 

I tested my Alk again this morning and got two different readings. One said 4 and one said 6... Obviously my API test isn't useful anymore.

I'm going to opt for the Red Sea Pro Calcium/Alk/Mag test and Kent Marine A+B to get this party started!

Thanks for everyones input. Don't stop here, I'm always open to everyones advice and knowledge!