Need Kalk Top Up System Suggestions

[ron101]

Tank is 90 gallon soft and lps coral tank and will stay that way. Compared to what other reefers dose, my tank seems to have high Ca and Alk demands. Magnesium might be low and I have been meaning to measure it but Mg kits have been backordered at J&L for some time (time for a visit to a different store or mail order).

I do use DIY 2-part additives to make up shortfalls. As cost effective as they are I find that for my demands that they skew salinity levels more than I would like.

Given my livestock I shouldn't need to go to a Ca reactor but it is another option but probably the one with the biggest ticket.

[kwirky]

Originally Posted by ron101

I do use DIY 2-part additives to make up shortfalls. As cost effective as they are I find that for my demands that they skew salinity levels more than I would like.

how does 2 part skew your salinity? you mean your specific gravity (density) reading?

[ron101]

Originally Posted by kwirky

how does 2 part skew your salinity? you mean your specific gravity (density) reading?

In the saltwater aquarium context they are more or less equivalent. Two part solutions increase salinity over time due the fact that they are made from calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. So along with the calcium and bicarbonate comes sodium and chloride ions (ie components of salt).

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by ron101

In the saltwater aquarium context they are more or less equivalent. Two part solutions increase salinity over time due the fact that they are made from calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. So along with the calcium and bicarbonate comes sodium and chloride ions (ie components of salt).

Never heard of this one before. Been dosing two-part for years and never noticed anything like that. But I do perform regular water changes.

I only use kalk to help stabilize pH and alk levels. Kalk alone wouldn't be able to keep up with the demands from a 165 gallon system with clams and SPS.

[PzReefer]

Originally Posted by ron101

Tank is 90 gallon soft and lps coral tank and will stay that way. Compared to what other reefers dose, my tank seems to have high Ca and Alk demands. Magnesium might be low and I have been meaning to measure it but Mg kits have been backordered at J&L for some time (time for a visit to a different store or mail order).

J&L now have most Elos test kits, and have plenty of Mg kits there. Salifert kits are becoming scarce of late due to a number of reasons.