replacement for Kalk (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

i did mean that co2 compounds with kalk and creates calcium carbonate.I agree with Treys explanation.But, about the sodium hydroxide...I am not recommending to use this in replacement for buffers, but more to assist them.I think the most bulletproof method is to use a reactor with good substrate, do a rapid drip of calcium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide(or use a kalk reactor),and in addition do supplemental 2part additive(preferably homemade with good grades of chemical) when needed, and run a reverse daylight refugium or turf scrubber(Adey style).On top of all this agressive water circulation is needed to keep everything well mixed and keep gas exchange optimal.You can even take this total concept further by utilizing your calcium reactors output(which is still co2 rich) and dump it into your fuge or scrubber.All I expect from kalk or sodium hydroxide, is the hydroxal ions which raise the potential of hydrogen(PH).The calcium input is not significant with calcium hydroxide and should not be relied upon.Your calcium comes from your calcium reactor and usually calcium chloride(if your calcium uptake is signifigant,and if your corals are ripping then it will be)Calcium reactors should be called carbonate reactors because they produce this in a higher ratio versus calcium.If you try to get your calcium up to snuff with a reactor your kh will be off the chart.So i recommend letting your c.reactor run until your kh is around 12dkh.Then add in calcium choride to keep your calcium adequete.The chlorine ion will compound with the sodium input from the sodium hydroxide making sodium chloride. This topic seems to be worthy of discussion at a meeting because it is Saturday night and i have put on a wicked buzz.

 

[Guest]

too much like science

 

[Guest]

I was lost....And still am.. I bought some 2 part additive, part a, and part b. Made by Kent.. It says dump 1 capfull daily of each, until desirede level is aquired. This is for calcium, but also mentions Alk.. So I guess it will be my replacement for dripping KALK? If so, then the only other thing is to buffer my PH.

On a side note, I saw the Kent calcium in a jar. It said like 1/8 tbl spoon per day.. Would i just throw that in without mixing it? It was granuales, but i believe it should have been pre mixed.. I am not sure, and didnt buy that, going with the 2 part instead..

 

[Trey]

I would guess that the Kent calcium powder is calcium chloride. I would dissolve it in RO/DI water before I added it to the tank.

Later,
Trey

 

[Guest]

Damn it was late last night.. The kent product i saw was Turbo Calcium, and it was little pellets.. Instructions basically said to just drop them in.. But I passed on that product..

 

[Guest]

Goldy-
I would suggest you purchase a book that deals with this topic. the"Modern Coral Reef Aquarium"by fossa and nilsen goes through this pretty thoroughly.The worst thing you can do is go off instructions on a Kent marine bottle. This book is not to technical and is a easy read.Volume 1 discusses this.