Kalkwasser
 

I am not sue if I understand this right. It is more for the calcium? Is kalkwasser just limestone filtered water in concentration? If so, I know where there is a whole lake full at a limestone mine.

Lime stone would be great, as long as there are NO impurities.

Doug

So it would be basically pue calcium?

Kalkwasser is german for limewater. it is basicaly pickling lime power mixed into water and dripped slowly to increase calcium. kalk is not expensive and its a bit easier to open a can of it rather than driving out to a lake and getting limestone.

Kalkwasser is Calcium Hydroxide, Limestone is Calcium Carbonate similar to Aragonite (the stuff recommended for substrate) which has a slightly different crystal structure that makes it easier to dissolve at pH's usually found in aquariums (7.8? I think?)

Anyways... Limestone = "Dead" Base Rock :neutral:
Lime (Kalwasser) = Happy Corals :biggrin: but if you're not careful, excessive pH :sad: and perhaps the dreaded "calcium precipitate snowstorm" :redface:

I'll shut up now.

Thanks, guys.

Kalkwasser comes up in the various reef chemisty articles listed below. Also included are a couple of calculators:

Aquarium System Volume Calculator:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/volcalc.html

The Reef Chemistry Calculator:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

What is Alkalinity?

http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/f.../chemistry.htm

Calcium:

http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2002/chem.htm

Magnesium in Reef Aquaria:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Wow Bev! you keep toss'n around those links like a cheap hooker does with a new wig :mrgreen: :razz:

If you're paying attention, Rich, I've added a few new links :biggrin: :cool: :razz: