Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board

Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/index.php)
-   Reef (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=8)
-   -   Simple method of dosing alk? (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=49246)

ponokareefer 02-09-2009 02:54 PM

Simple method of dosing alk?
 
I was looking for the simplest method for dosing alk. Presently, it is the only item that is being depleted in my system that water changes are not replacing. I have to manually add alk to my system daily, so was looking for a simpler way of doing this, in case I go on vacation, and don't have to count on someone else doing it for me. I recently baked some baking soda to use instead of a Seachem product, as the price was a lot less. I have looked at the GHL profilux dosing pump, with 1 pump, but believe that I would need to buy more items in conjunction with this system. I want to avoid a calcium reactor as I don't have the room to store it.
My system is 125 gallons, with a 55 gallon sump. I have a mainly softie system, but have a hammer coral, a small birdsnest frag, and 3 clams(1 being 15 inches long).

Aquattro 02-09-2009 03:15 PM

There is no easy way, it's either kalk reactor, Ca reactor, dosing pump system or dumping baking soda. Lowest tech method would probably be using kalk in your top off water, depending on how this is done on your system.

ponokareefer 02-09-2009 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro (Post 386046)
There is no easy way, it's either kalk reactor, Ca reactor, dosing pump system or dumping baking soda. Lowest tech method would probably be using kalk in your top off water, depending on how this is done on your system.

I manually add top off into my system, so that wouldn't simplify the process. Both reactors are too large for the area I have left under my system. Any idea what you need to buy or need with a dosing pump system?

mseepman 02-09-2009 04:48 PM

One of the cheapest methods might be to buy a TOM aqualifter from J&L and then use it to dose from a DIY Kalk container. I haven't started yet but that's what I'm planning on doing for my nano. Just make sure you buy the TOM prefilter too so that the Kalk doesn't mess up your aqualifter too quickly.

ponokareefer 02-09-2009 05:04 PM

How would you make a DIY Kalk container?

Aquattro 02-09-2009 05:04 PM

BTW, what are your nitrates at?

Aquattro 02-09-2009 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponokareefer (Post 386095)
How would you make a DIY Kalk container?

Buy jug of milk, drink milk, wash container, use for kalk :)

ponokareefer 02-09-2009 05:18 PM

My nitrates are at 0. You don't need to stir the contents of a milk jug after mixing them together? The contents would be baking soda, not kalk.

untamed 02-09-2009 09:17 PM

Holmes-Farley would say that if you are able to measure decline in Alk...then you need to be added more of BOTH Ca and Alk...not just Alk. It is beyond me to explain why it works that way.

fkshiu 02-09-2009 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by untamed (Post 386173)
Holmes-Farley would say that if you are able to measure decline in Alk...then you need to be added more of BOTH Ca and Alk...not just Alk. It is beyond me to explain why it works that way.

Bingo! Ca/Alk/Mg are all interlinked. You can't change one without affecting the other two.


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:16 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.