How do you dose Kalk?

[Whoyah]

I am curious to know what method people use to dose Kalk? I have been using Kent 2-Part but that is getting way to expensive at the rate I am dosing. I have tried dosing Kalk using my auto-off system in the past but I didn't like the results, to much potntial for an overdose.

I was considering using a drip can like this:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=KM2511

Any ideas or suggestions would be great.

[jerryc]

That is the way iv been doing it for a long time never had a problem

I just make the ones i use usual out of a one gallon milk container

[Dirt4dinner]

Whoya,
That is a great question. I have a huge tube of Kalk, and a Kent Marine doseing bag...but I just don't know how much to add. Is there any math equation that can give me an idea of how much I should be dosing? How many drips per minute type of thing?

[jerryc]

Whoya,
That is a great question. I have a huge tube of Kalk, and a Kent Marine doseing bag...but I just don't know how much to add. Is there any math equation that can give me an idea of how much I should be dosing? How many drips per minute type of thing?

My top off is around 1 gallon per day that is the amount of kalk i put in
to the system. i set my drip to run out over night approximately 8 hours
for the gallon of kalk.
As with all additives use your test Kit's to no the amount you need
as no 2 tanks or going to be the same.
I do have to add a 2 part occasional but not much

I add 2 teaspoons of MrsWages pickling lime per gallon of water in a resealable
3 gallon container and let set over night discard the last pint or so

[Whoyah]

Thanks for the pointers Jerry. So you made your own drip jug? Do you have a pics? This seems like a pretty simple DIY project but also something that want to be sure to get right. You mentioned using 2 part on occasionally, is that to bring your levels back in spec? Is it true that dripping kalk will maintain both alkality as well as calcium?

[jerryc]

Ill get a pic sometime next week the wife is in Florida at a association meeting with the digital.

Yes it will maintain both alk and calcium. Important to watch both at first
to no the amount to dose to your individual tank

And i do use the 2 part to balance out the kalk. IF your tank gets low on calcium
you cant just dose a lot of kalk fast to raise it up . IF you overdose to fast it can precipitate out and case a snow storm. wont hart much but not
something i wont to do

[jerryc]

I thank of my 2 part as for raising my calcium

and kalk to maintain it

[dakar]

The two part solution if you want to DIY instead of purchasing products should consist of pickling lime/kalk/dowflake and a baking soda/washing soda solution. both dripped simultanously. Though for most systems it seems just topping off with limewater is enough to maintain the calcium and pH, the addition of baking soda will raise/maintain your alkalinty...

I prefer to mix no mix than 1 tsp/gal of each.

[Whoyah]

Pickling lime and baking soda are whole lot cheaper then 2 Part. Thanks for the suggestion Dakar.

[dakar]

Since you are further up north you might be able to find Dowflake or the type E lime (pretty sure it's Type E, Repto would know for certain) in 50# bags... more significant savings (like $15/bag).

[Whoyah]

Are Dowflake found in the soap section? Also what is the advantage of Dowflakes over Pickling Lime?

[dakar]

I had to special order in a bunch of dowflake from a Co-op. Rather than repeat what I've learned take a read -

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm