Reef Central Online Community

Home Forum Here you can view your subscribed threads, work with private messages and edit your profile and preferences View New Posts View Today's Posts

Find other members Frequently Asked Questions Search Reefkeeping ...an online magazine for marine aquarists Support our sponsors and mention Reef Central

Go Back   Reef Central Online Community Archives > Coral Forums > SPS Keepers
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #101  
Old 08/13/2007, 10:35 PM
DocG DocG is offline
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 510
Capn,

You have to go over to the states and sneak it back into Canada. You cannot buy pickling lime in Canada.

I have used the slurry method for a while now. On a system with 450 gallons of water I add one or two teaspoons of kalk in a 1 litre jug and stir it up really well and dump it into the high flow area of the sump. On my system the 1-2 teaspoons a day (not every day but more often then not) does not really affect the Calcium or alkalinity levels at all but it does keep the pH from dipping under 8.0 and generally keeps the pH more stable, which is why I started doing it.
  #102  
Old 08/14/2007, 06:52 AM
TwistedTiger TwistedTiger is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: B.R. La.
Posts: 780
Quote:
Originally posted by DocG
Capn,

You have to go over to the states and sneak it back into Canada. You cannot buy pickling lime in Canada.
Can't you just order calcium hydroxide from two parts? It's pretty cheap. http://www.twopartsolution.com/index...64decc6ee46a02
  #103  
Old 08/14/2007, 08:50 AM
capn_hylinur capn_hylinur is offline
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hamilton, Canada
Posts: 4,582
Quote:
Originally posted by TwistedTiger
Can't you just order calcium hydroxide from two parts? It's pretty cheap. http://www.twopartsolution.com/index...64decc6ee46a02
when I asked my supplier he convinced me not to use kalk without dripping--said it was messy and easy to error?
After talking to you guys --I don't see a problem with this?
__________________
"evrr bean to sea Billy--evrr smelled a fish?" "Aye capn..experience is the best teacher"
  #104  
Old 08/14/2007, 08:53 AM
TwistedTiger TwistedTiger is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: B.R. La.
Posts: 780
Quote:
Originally posted by capn_hylinur
when I asked my supplier he convinced me not to use kalk without dripping--said it was messy and easy to error?
After talking to you guys --I don't see a problem with this?
I've been using mine with an auto topoff for about 3 years with no problems. Much much easier than dripping and much more consistent. Just make sure you use an auto topoff system that adds small amounts at a time.
  #105  
Old 08/14/2007, 08:54 AM
JetCat USA JetCat USA is offline
Moved On
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,799
Quote:
Originally posted by capn_hylinur
..........said it was messy and easy to error?
it's messy if you're so inclined to slosh the heck out of it when making up a slurry, 99% of people are capable of doing it with minimal to no mess at all and if you test your system, find the proper dose and then add that much it's no different then any other additive/supplement you add to the system 99% of people are talented enough to do that as well, i guess your supplier is that 1%
  #106  
Old 08/14/2007, 09:09 AM
capn_hylinur capn_hylinur is offline
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hamilton, Canada
Posts: 4,582
Quote:
Originally posted by JetCat USA
it's messy if you're so inclined to slosh the heck out of it when making up a slurry, 99% of people are capable of doing it with minimal to no mess at all and if you test your system, find the proper dose and then add that much it's no different then any other additive/supplement you add to the system 99% of people are talented enough to do that as well, i guess your supplier is that 1%
thanks--I'll start using it---he knows I am a chemistry/biology teacher----we only slosh the heck out of our tim hortons coffee
__________________
"evrr bean to sea Billy--evrr smelled a fish?" "Aye capn..experience is the best teacher"
  #107  
Old 08/14/2007, 09:10 AM
TwistedTiger TwistedTiger is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: B.R. La.
Posts: 780
Quote:
Originally posted by JetCat USA
99% of people are talented enough to do that as well, i guess your supplier is that 1%
Or could it be that I just bought 4.5 pounds of kalc for $9.99 which should last me well over a year and there is more profit to be made from other alk/calc supplements?
  #108  
Old 08/14/2007, 09:31 AM
JetCat USA JetCat USA is offline
Moved On
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,799
With the advent of the internet and a computer connected to it in most homes these days LFS owners who consistently give poor advice will find that their margin of profit would be much higher if they actually gave educated advice rather then discouraging their customers to the point they take their business elsewhere.

I'm sure if capn's supplier had been so kind as to say "Yeah, that Kalk stuff works just as good as any other additive, it can be messy and you need to be careful getting the right dose", he'd of bought some that day
  #109  
Old 08/14/2007, 09:56 AM
capn_hylinur capn_hylinur is offline
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hamilton, Canada
Posts: 4,582
Quote:
Originally posted by JetCat USA
With the advent of the internet and a computer connected to it in most homes these days LFS owners who consistently give poor advice will find that their margin of profit would be much higher if they actually gave educated advice rather then discouraging their customers to the point they take their business elsewhere.

I'm sure if capn's supplier had been so kind as to say "Yeah, that Kalk stuff works just as good as any other additive, it can be messy and you need to be careful getting the right dose", he'd of bought some that day
actually he is a mail order supplier--not live fish---and one of the guys I trust---maybe he doesn't trust me cause of the coffee stains on my shirts _LOL

LFS---that's a hole ball of worms---criticism of them got me in hot water with my local reef site. I don't know if I should get into that here say I agree 200 per cent what you said above.---and I have learned the value of a guarantine tank for many reasons.
__________________
"evrr bean to sea Billy--evrr smelled a fish?" "Aye capn..experience is the best teacher"
  #110  
Old 08/14/2007, 01:46 PM
five.five-six five.five-six is offline
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Anaheim, California
Posts: 2,148
ok, I use my ACIII to pump my kalkwasser at 8.13. after messing around with the sump fan speed and the lower limit ph I have gotten it to about match evaporation at 5 gal ~3.5 days. currently I am adding iodine to the kalkwasser. is there any reason I can not add Mg to the kalkwasser. ie: test, do the chart, add X amount of mg to kalkwasser, test again in 3 days? or can I just dump it in my sump..
__________________
A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them G.Washington
  #111  
Old 08/18/2007, 09:53 AM
The Reefer91 The Reefer91 is offline
wait, isn't protein good?
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 1,149
i have a question. if you use a calcium reactor without a pH monitor and simply have it on a timer, is there anything else you should be supplementing, like randy's two part?

sorry if it's a dumb question.
__________________
Dan

"What's money worth if you can't face yourself in the mirror every day?"
  #112  
Old 08/18/2007, 10:21 AM
TwistedTiger TwistedTiger is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: B.R. La.
Posts: 780
Quote:
Originally posted by The Reefer91
i have a question. if you use a calcium reactor without a pH monitor and simply have it on a timer,
Are you talking about running the CO2 on a timer? If so that's not a good idea IMO. Without a controller you just need to set your bubbles count and drip rate at a reasonable rate for your tank volume and then test ALK/Calc daily until you get it set where you need it.

As far as a PH monitor you should have some way to check PH in a reef tank even if you are not running a calcium reactor, but neither a ph controller or a ph monitor are required equipment for a reactor.
  #113  
Old 08/18/2007, 10:24 AM
The Reefer91 The Reefer91 is offline
wait, isn't protein good?
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 1,149
wait, but wouldn't that mean i would need to continously run the reactor? or would the CO2 just pool up inside the reactor?
__________________
Dan

"What's money worth if you can't face yourself in the mirror every day?"
  #114  
Old 08/18/2007, 10:27 AM
TwistedTiger TwistedTiger is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: B.R. La.
Posts: 780
Quote:
Originally posted by The Reefer91
wait, but wouldn't that mean i would need to continously run the reactor? or would the CO2 just pool up inside the reactor?
A calcium reactor is a continuous operation piece of equipment.
  #115  
Old 08/18/2007, 10:33 AM
TwistedTiger TwistedTiger is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: B.R. La.
Posts: 780
Try this article and see if it helps you any.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php
  #116  
Old 08/18/2007, 10:58 AM
The Reefer91 The Reefer91 is offline
wait, isn't protein good?
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 1,149
thanks!
__________________
Dan

"What's money worth if you can't face yourself in the mirror every day?"
  #117  
Old 08/20/2007, 04:25 PM
apbt217 apbt217 is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 42
My Calcium levels are pretty steady anywhere from 425-455ppm, my Alkanity is running pretty high dKH 14 (is this bad) and my Magnesium is at 1350ppm. I'm topping off with R/O water trying to get the dKH to come down a bit and I heard that with higher Mag levels you get better Coraline growth? Is there any truth to that?
  #118  
Old 08/20/2007, 04:25 PM
apbt217 apbt217 is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 42
My Calcium levels are pretty steady anywhere from 425-455ppm, my Alkanity is running pretty high dKH 14 (is this bad) and my Magnesium is at 1350ppm. I'm topping off with R/O water trying to get the dKH to come down a bit and I heard that with higher Mag levels you get better Coraline growth? Is there any truth to that?
  #119  
Old 08/20/2007, 07:20 PM
JB NY JB NY is offline
cnidarian vigilante
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 7,083
Quote:
Originally posted by apbt217
My Calcium levels are pretty steady anywhere from 425-455ppm, my Alkanity is running pretty high dKH 14 (is this bad) and my Magnesium is at 1350ppm. I'm topping off with R/O water trying to get the dKH to come down a bit and I heard that with higher Mag levels you get better Coraline growth? Is there any truth to that?
14 dKH is a little high. I try to run it around 8.

Topping off with r/o water is what you should be doing. You need to stop dosing to get your alk down.

I did not notice any change in coralline growth when I had higher mg levels.
__________________
-Joe
  #120  
Old 08/21/2007, 09:30 AM
capn_hylinur capn_hylinur is offline
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hamilton, Canada
Posts: 4,582
Quote:
Originally posted by JB NY
14 dKH is a little high. I try to run it around 8.

Topping off with r/o water is what you should be doing. You need to stop dosing to get your alk down.

I did not notice any change in coralline growth when I had higher mg levels.
the question becomes--why is your dkH so high-----
Are you using buffers to control your pH----- most contain boron which will up your dkH readings.
__________________
"evrr bean to sea Billy--evrr smelled a fish?" "Aye capn..experience is the best teacher"
  #121  
Old 08/21/2007, 12:26 PM
MJAnderson MJAnderson is offline
Premium Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Cleveland, OH
Posts: 2,268
Quote:
Originally posted by five.five-six
ok, I use my ACIII to pump my kalkwasser at 8.13. after messing around with the sump fan speed and the lower limit ph I have gotten it to about match evaporation at 5 gal ~3.5 days. currently I am adding iodine to the kalkwasser. is there any reason I can not add Mg to the kalkwasser. ie: test, do the chart, add X amount of mg to kalkwasser, test again in 3 days? or can I just dump it in my sump..
One of the nice (or not so nice) things about Kalkwasser is that several heavy metals precipitate out of a solution with a PH of 12.4 (2 tsb per gallon of RO). Mag is one of them. Whatever you add will just end up in the bottom of the bucket (assuming you let it settle and just add clear limewater. A quote from Randy:

"Regardless of how much magnesium is present in the limewater to begin with, it will nearly all precipitate from solution, and clear limewater is not a source of magnesium for an aquarium. "

From this article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2003/chem.htm

I can't find it now, but one of Randy's articles talked about what you can dose in kalk. I THINK one of them was Strontium.
  #122  
Old 08/21/2007, 01:09 PM
dheinze dheinze is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Galveston, TX
Posts: 87
Hi all, I just skimmed through this so sorry if this question has already been asked. My alk is low (about 1.6 meq/L), and I want to raise it with baking soda. How fast can I change the alk and not stress my corals? FYI, I run kalkwasser in the ATO for balanced sumplement; I got into this (low alk) situation by dosing only calcium early on in my reefing career.
  #123  
Old 08/22/2007, 08:49 AM
capn_hylinur capn_hylinur is offline
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hamilton, Canada
Posts: 4,582
Quote:
Originally posted by dheinze
Hi all, I just skimmed through this so sorry if this question has already been asked. My alk is low (about 1.6 meq/L), and I want to raise it with baking soda. How fast can I change the alk and not stress my corals? FYI, I run kalkwasser in the ATO for balanced sumplement; I got into this (low alk) situation by dosing only calcium early on in my reefing career.
what's your pH, calcium and magnesium at?
__________________
"evrr bean to sea Billy--evrr smelled a fish?" "Aye capn..experience is the best teacher"
  #124  
Old 08/22/2007, 04:15 PM
dheinze dheinze is offline
Registered Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Galveston, TX
Posts: 87
Since I use kalk, my pH runs on the high side~8.4; Ca at last test was 425ppm, and I have yet to test Mg (no test kit right now).
  #125  
Old 08/22/2007, 06:12 PM
capn_hylinur capn_hylinur is offline
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hamilton, Canada
Posts: 4,582
Imo---do a few water changes and see if this brings back the normal seawater chemistry.
__________________
"evrr bean to sea Billy--evrr smelled a fish?" "Aye capn..experience is the best teacher"
 


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Use of this web site is subject to the terms and conditions described in the user agreement.
Reef Central™ Reef Central, LLC. Copyright ©1999-2009