Attn: SPS Keepers

[SSalty]

I have been using 1 teaspoon of kalk per gallon of water. It seems to disolve.

[fatman]

Originally Posted by SSalty

I have been using 1 teaspoon of kalk per gallon of water. It seems to disolve.

Up to two teaspoons per gallon should mostly dissolve. I was just not paying real close to my train of thought while writing.
I foolishly was thinking about the amounts of calcium hydroxide I was adding to a quart while writing about gallons realised what I was doing and yet did not change it. Before using fans over my sump I had little evaporation as I also had a glass cover on the tank and was using a chiller as needed. I was using the same amount of calcium hydroxide in my ATO water but in about one fourth the water as I do now. At that time I was also using 80 degree water. Two teaspoons did not dissolve instantly as I desired, and there was to much that did not dissolve as it was doubtfully not all precipitated crud in he bottom of the mixing container.

[SSalty]

Originally Posted by fatman

Up to two teaspoons per gallon should mostly dissolve. I was just not paying real close to my train of thought while writing.
I foolishly was thinking about the amounts of calcium hydroxide I was adding to a quart while writing about gallons realised what I was doing and yet did not change it. Before using fans over my sump I had little evaporation as I also had a glass cover on the tank and was using a chiller as needed. I was using the same amount of calcium hydroxide in my ATO water but in about one fourth the water as I do now. At that time I was also using 80 degree water. Two teaspoons did not dissolve instantly as I desired, and there was to much that did not dissolve as it was doubtfully not all precipitated crud in he bottom of the mixing container.

I'm sorry bro, I appreciate your advice but you are a bit confusing, haha.

So, would using (2) teaspoons per (1) gallon dissolve, and be affective with raising my DKH/CA?

[fatman]

Nearly all, if not all, will dissolve if the water is cool. And yes, but as for how much, that depends on the existing levels/readings and how much you are adding, how often and what your systems demands are, and the nutrient levels of your water. That probably did not help much, huh. I would not recommend adding 2 teaspoons to all ATO water without a need for that much input. For an example it would only take around 6.5 to 7 gallons of Kalkwasser at that strength to raise your 70 - 75 gallons tank systems calcium level from 350 ppm to around 425 ppm. At a estimated evaporation at 1 gallon per day, that amount of added calcium could be way to much after little more than a week. I do not know what your evaporation levels are, but that would be quite a bit of calcium for a tank with just live rock and a few corals. It is best to find your calcium needs and add calcium daily in small amounts than to add large amounts of calcium less often. Corals are known to grow better on levels that are nearly constantly at no higher than 350 ppm than at seesawing/fluctuating levels that are bouncing between 350 ppm and 450 ppm. Meaning unless there are high calcium and carbonate demands adequate levels of calcium and carbonates are supplied with regular frequent partial water changes. Start with fairly dilute Kalkwasser that is mixed fresh daily. Add one days worth and check the calcium level after all the Kalkwasser for one days top off has been added, check again three or four days later and continue to check until a recorded able decline in the calcium shows up. Divide that decline by the number of days. This will tell you how much calcium is actually needed daily. Mix your Kalkwasser fresh daily with RO water, use only the middle 80 percent of what you mixed up. Meaning, you do not want to use what is floating on the top or settled to the bottom, meaning no scum and no precipitate or undissolved calcium hydroxide. Stir slowly when mixing so as to lessen the air added to the water, and cover the container. Kalkwasser does tend to cause a higher alkalinity than normal, so alkalinity must be checked regularly when using very much Kalkwasser.