Mrs. Wages lime question again

[shikhyung]

Hello Limewater users,
How do I know that the lime water that I mixed is ok. After all, I fell that the 1 tsp/ gallon of lime just cloudyness the water and settle down in the bottom. Thanks. Shin.

[T Man]

It sounds like you have mixed it right, the limewater will be crystal clear- that is what you want to dose. Test you Ca level before dosing and test a few days to a week later to monitor the effect in Ca levels and go from there. TinMan

[Moloch_0]

What I did was poor off the liquid on the top through some polyester filter material which removed the surface film leaving the solids behind. I was left with clear limewater.

[five.five-six]

i put 2 scoops per gal in all my evap water.. the stuff is prety cheep....just remember to drip

cheep kalk

[shikhyung]

What about the stuff that settle down in the bottom, seems to me nothing has deluted to the water?

[shikhyung]

Can I see your drip system five.five-six? Thanks.

[five.five-six]

we need someone who knows what they are talking about to explain it but some of it mixes with co2 and turns into calcium-something-or-another which is biologically inert. the idea is to reach full saturation. you know you have full saturation when your ph reaches 14. also I mix up 3-5 days worth at a time, it drips when my Ph goes below 8.1 the extra at the bottom helps keep the hydroxide ions elevated, as they fall from solution when they get in to contact with Co2 in the air... check that link it is like $35 for 2# of powder... for a 100 gal reef that is at least a years worth

edit, that is for 9 pounds or 2 gallons.. SHIPPED

[five.five-six]

Originally posted by shikhyung
Can I see your drip system five.five-six? Thanks.

I use a neptune controler and a doseing pump.. $$$

neptune ~ 275
ph probe ~ 65
pump ~ 100

but it is a uber cool setup.. and it runs the whole tank as well lights, chiller heater, reactor, if it gets to hot, shuts the lights off.. logs and graphs


or you can get the kent doseing system for about 30 bucks

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...or~~tab~2.html

[bertoni]

A TDS meter with the right range could test the concentration of the kalk. A pH meter will give some basic information, as well.

[burris]

PH isn't a good measure of lime saturation since it is over 14 even when not saturated, conductivity is a much better measure. You can also dilute it and test the alkalinity but it isn't worth the effort.

Calcium hydroxide isn't very soluable in water, it must be stirred very vigorously. That some of it reacted with the CO2 in the atmosphere and formed an insoluable CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) crust indicates that some did dissolve. The usual recommendation is 2 tsp per gallon. Make sure it is mixed very well, then make sure it is covered and the crust is not disturbed. Make sure your doser doesn't suck up the powder from the bottom.

[five.five-six]

ok so here is a weird one, i am getting a crust in the section of the sump where I dose the limewater.. I gently set a paper towel on it to try to get it out..

[Billybeau1]

The particles you see at the bottom of the container after mixing are likely impurities or lime that did not go into solution. Mrs. Wages does have some impurities so not disturbing the bottom after initial mixing is a good thing.

five, what you are likely seeing is calcium. If you have a higher flow area , this may be a better place to add the limewater.

To answer someone else's question, the last time I tested the kh of saturated limewater, it was around 80dkh.

[jbarone]

Originally posted by five.five-six
ok so here is a weird one, i am getting a crust in the section of the sump where I dose the limewater.. I gently set a paper towel on it to try to get it out..

Are you dripping below the surface of the water line in your sump? If so you will get a build up. Drip above the water line.

[shikhyung]

Originally posted by burris
PH isn't a good measure of lime saturation since it is over 14 even when not saturated, conductivity is a much better measure. You can also dilute it and test the alkalinity but it isn't worth the effort.

Calcium hydroxide isn't very soluable in water, it must be stirred very vigorously. That some of it reacted with the CO2 in the atmosphere and formed an insoluable CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) crust indicates that some did dissolve. The usual recommendation is 2 tsp per gallon. Make sure it is mixed very well, then make sure it is covered and the crust is not disturbed. Make sure your doser doesn't suck up the powder from the bottom.

How well is well? I believed someone said, stir it for 10 seconds and leave it alone, correct?

[bertoni]

The pH of fully saturated lime is 12.54 at 25ºC.

Calcium hydroxide dissolves easily in water, up to the saturation limit. I just stir for 5-10 seconds.

This article covers the details:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

[five.five-six]

Originally posted by jbarone
Are you dripping below the surface of the water line in your sump? If so you will get a build up. Drip above the water line.

I think it may be my Mg dosing, I finally checked my mg and it was 1050, I have been adding 13 Oz/ day to get it to 1450.. this is day 3. I have been using Epsom salts

I drip from above the water line. I have found that the tip of the hose may clog if it is under the water line