Pros & Cons: Kalk Vs. 2 Part

My tank is now 4 months old, and I have been putting serious thought into the most effective way of maintaining cal/alk. Which ever way I choose, it will be automated with dosing pumps from bulkreefsupply.

Option 1: Kalk reservoir attached to a single dosing pump & digital timer to dose proper amount for my tank. (would I need to come up with a way to keep the kalk stirred in the reservoir?)

Option 2: calcium chloride and soda ask in 2 separate jugs with 2 dosing pumps & 2 digital timers.

What are your thoughts? Any pros or cons for kalk vs 2 part?

 

I use a Ca reactor for my initial Calcium suppliment. I also have to use Kalk reactor running to keep my Ca in the upper 400's without getting my dHK to high from the CO2. I run all my make up water through the Kalk before it enters the tank. I turn the ATO off twice a day and mix for 1.5 hrs then shut the mix off and let it settle for 2 hrs then turn the ATO back on. This works for me but I run a system of a little over 300g.
I personally would rather use something that runs automatically instead of me having to dose all the time. I try to stay away from thing I have to mess with all the time.

 

While we're on the topic, can anyone suggest something cheaper than continually using Reef Calcium and Reef Carbonate (seachem's calcium and bicarb solutions), I add each twice a week, and its a major PITA to be continually stirring it up in fresh top off water (which i have to mix up with a API tap water filter because i don't have a RO/DI unit yet). I was also thinking about setting up some type of drip. I have easy access to IV tubing at the hospital and could easily fix something up to provide a constant drip rate of some type of solution into a sump (preferrably a 2 part solution so I don't have to run two seperate drips).

PS: Sorry to hijack your thread Ryan, wasn't my intention.

 

Get a cheap or used Ca reactor and you won't have to mess with dosing.

 

Hi, in this link you can find the answer you are looking for

Reef Central Online Community Archives - Reef Chemistry Articles

 

ryan - i've got a 75 gal system and got sick of dosing ca daily. i built a pvc nielsen reactor for about 50 bucks (unless you factor in profanity). it works, but it also is a little bit of a pain. the tuning process has included leaks and snowstorms... but in the long run, it's a stable ca supply that requires a weekly addition of kalk powder (i top off about 10 gal a week).

here's an example of diy nielsen :DIY Kalkwasser Reactor

enjoy!

 

if you are going to buy dosing pumps and all of that good mess, I would just go with a reactor and forget it. The initial investment can be costly but honestly, that's the way I would go. If you want to save money initially, I like 2 part solution.

 

after a lot of thought and reasoning, I think I'm going to go with a reactor! I don't have a lot of room in my stand, so I am probably going to get the MRC 4.5" HOT (hang on tank) reactor and hang it on my sump.

Since I was also planning on eventually setting up a controller, I will probably try to pick up an aquacontroller III to control the reactor. It probably seem like overkill for a 36 gallon tank, but I purchase all of my equipment with my future 180 gal in mind.

 

sounds like a cool plan. can't wait to see it.

 

Way to think ahead and save money later on. You will love the ACIII and what it can do for your tank. Mine is pretty much maintenance free and my time is worth the money.