Bulk CaCO3 in large system

I am looking for a bulk method of doseing calcium in a very large 940 gallon system. The price of premade products from reputable companies has, needless to say, become very expensive. I don't think I need a Kalk drip (not sure if its the best way, but open for debate). I have looked into Cacium carbonate (CaCO3) but it seems that it won't dissolve fully in the aquarium due to the already present dissolved CaCO3 in the water and could further the drop of Ca, Mg, KH and pH through poisoning the surface of the argonite crystals(?), unless you mix it with RO water and drip it like Kalk. I would rather not have a drip system or another sump evaporation replacement system. Any Ideas?

 

Bump! This is way out of my league.

 

I have a system about a 1/3 of that size and I have to run all my top off water through a Kalk reactor to keep my Ca around 460 to 480. The Ca reactor I have running will only get me to around 370 to 390. I would recommend running all your top off water through kalk with a system being that large. I also by pure Calcium off Tangster (Roger) that has a friend make it for him. Usually runs about $1 to $2 per lb depending on how much you get. I use this to boost the system, if for some reason I ever get low. Might be something you need to look at. PM him and maybe he still has his contact and can help.

 

I ran a 750 at 15 DKH and 450 to 500 ppm Ca for several yrs and I used the Calcium Otty was talking about I built my own reactor and I still use it here on a 180 now I built one for Otty also not sure if he still uses it ? But simple pour the Ca chloride I get and all your make up water will be totally saturated with ca.. But you have to watch the DKH I can get it for 2.00 a pound plus shipping I have a few guys here that us it also , Far more pure then the Dow flakes stuff the water boy Randy Hommy preaches and better .. But you have to fish to keep DKH up .. Ever applied the balling methoed with Kalkwasser ? I have very pure Kalk also same guy certifies it for me and himself.

 

^ I might be the other guy that uses Roger's Calcuim as well. It dissolves just fine in RODI water and works great. I just add it every week as I need it, and keep up the dKH along with it.

 

Run it 24/7 ;D

 

2 part, can be tedious but effective. Kalk won't be able to keep up with a heavy load in that sized tank, unless you were mixing it with vinegar and really packing in the kalk. Honestly a 2 part hooked up to a dosing pump would probably be the easiest and most cost effective.

Tangster, why such a high dkH?
Happy dosing!

 

I have looked into the Balling method and have some questions. Am i taking water out of the tank at the same rate that I am adding the Kalk mixture (is it kalk or some mixture with all the major and minor elements)? Or am I just adding it at a measured rate after testing how much my tank uses? I heard there is a device that will do the doseing for you but im not sure what it is. I thought that a cal. reactor wouldn't due the job because there isn't a unit large enough for this system. Although i think it would help a little right? There wont be any SPS corals in the tanks so it should help keep the cal. at a higher level but still...I think it's over my head. The more feverishly I read and the more anxiously I inquire the less I seem to know (but thats life).
Thank you all for your help.

 

Tangster Do you run through a cal. reactor and a kalk reactor? and if so you have the cal. reactor in line on the system and kalk hooked to the auto fill?

 

I never let DKh fall below 13 and as high as 16 with 14 to 15 the average I shoot for and ca along with higher levels of strontium allows for better growth and coloration of sps corals.And 99% of nuisance alga's do not do well in these levels of Ca. and Carbonates.

Anyone I try to help out I'll suggest these levels and if they do I assume they find it beneficial also as they never complained or said anything..