Some basics about Kalkwasser / Limewater

[Boogie]

I wanted to start a thread with some basic information about Kalkwasser / Limewater. I know absolutely nothing about it and have quoted information that was shared in another thread.

Please note that there are several ways to dose kalkwasser and I recommend (opinions of mine are all based on nothing, they are just my opinions-I recommend reading and researching to formulate your own) looking into which option you feel will work best for you, your tank and your schedule.

Not exactly pertaining to kalk but a great calculator:
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

Good read: (not claiming it to be the gospel but its definately worth the 10 minutes to read)
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php
Good read about what to dose
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Good reads here discussing calcium and alk (links do not relate specifically to Kalkwasser but are good to read while researching)
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry


Great quotes to keep in mind before dosing ANYTHING:
"Stability is key with this hobby"
"Slow and steady changes are best in this hobby"
"Don't dose it if you don't test for it."
"Different strokes for different folks......"

Basic information:
Kalkwasser / Limewater are the same thing.
Kalkwasser needs to be mixed with freshwater as saltwater will not dissolve calcium.
Kalkwasser dosing is really not meant to boost your calcium but more maintain it.
Kalkwasser dosing will generally not be able to meet the needs of a full blown sps system.
Kalkwasser increases alkalinity, calcium, ph and can also lower magnesium

Thats all I have for now. I'm gonna try it. I'll try to update this thread with my totally opinionated, based soley on what I see with my old eyes results.

Again, I claim to know absolutely nothing about this or many other subjects including, but not limited to, financial statements, painting or Yu-Gi-Oh.

I encourage others to share THEIR OWN PERSONAL experiences on what has worked and not worked regarding Kalkwasser / Limewater dosing and dosing equipment.

Note: I will watch this thread and remove posts that I FEEL are not constructive.

I thank those of you that contributed some information that I have borrowed to put in this thread.. I do not claim any of these quotes as mine, nor do I say that I abide by them all.

Thank you in advance for keeping this thread informative and educational to all.

 

[projectx]

Great info, nice summary

 

[andyrm66]

WOW! Good collection of info. Let us know how that stirrer works. Ive never used one. I just always mix it up good, seal it up tight and use the clear solution and not mess with it for 30days. Again, not the only way it can be done, just what worked for me. I looked into stir devices, at the time the cost of a pump and 44 gallon brute was cheap compared to my other ideas. I know a guy that swears by his tunze ATO Kalk doser. Keeps his right where he needs it.

 

[Tajjo]

Does anybody use the Pickleing lime?

 

[dv3]

is this a scientific article?

 

[Boogie]

Does anybody use the Pickleing lime?

On that first link it discusses the similarities between the the two. I get lost in the formula description but I think they are dang near identical. Give it a read or someone with more scientific knowledge can answer

 

[Boogie]

is this a scientific article?

It is not, and should not be taken as rule or law. Will hopefully be a good source of information for those curious about dosing Kalk.

 

[KhensuRa]

Where is our Chemical engineer when we need her. I bet little_fish might be able to clear up some of the first article in layman's terms for us dummies.

 

[Off The Deep End]

Does anybody use the Pickleing lime?

I use pickling lime (edit: baking soda, not pickling lime) and ice melt.

 

[Boogie]

I use pickling lime and ice melt.

Do you combine the two or are you saying they are one and the same?

 

[Off The Deep End]

No one is cal(calcium cloride)(baking soda) and one is alk(calcium hydroxide)(ice melt),It is the RHF method. these are not to raise levels but to maintain them

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[miwoodar]

Great summary and start. I enjoyed the recent discussions. Too bad they went awry.

Dillon, are you sure you didn't mean baking soda and ice melt?

Edit to add...Mark, this is a great article to pair with Jdieck's calculator (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry). It is a nice, quick summary of how to tweak Ca/alk when they are out of whack.

 

[Metalsniper]

Yeah Hannah, where's our chem E?

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[Off The Deep End]

oops thats what i ment, i use the pickling lime as a form of kalk.

 

[andyrm66]

Ms Wages cant be beat.

 

[smellslikeTUNA]

Just started dosing kalk through my ato will be tagging along on this thread

 

[Off The Deep End]

Ms Wages cant be beat.

Thats what i use, stuff works great!

 

[KhensuRa]

Do you guys think it would be a good idea to dose kalk in a smaller tank like my biocube 29. At this point I am not sure if I should even dose. I do dose with code A and B, but only about twice a week.

 

[andyrm66]

Are you testing to make sure you need to dose?

 

[Boogie]

Just started dosing kalk through my ato will be tagging along on this thread

If you don't mind, please list what equiment and method of dosing you are using. (I know you said through your ato but a more detailed description, perhaps even a pictures would make my little heart pitter patter. =) )