Calcium Reactors ???

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by reefermadness

That is not true. Kalkwasser or calcium hydroxide (chemical term) is a balanced calcium and alkalinity supplement which also has the ability to raise pH.

when I ran just kalk my Ca was good but my alk always dropped. when I added my Ca reactor to the mix all was good.

I ran kalk only for about 3 years and on 2 different tanks, both the same, so where is the balanced part? even RHF uses it in his recipies as only 1/2 of a ballanced additive mix.

Steve

[reefermadness]

Again I'm sorry but you are wrong. Randy does use kalkwasser but does not use it as only 1/2 of a balanced additive mix.

This is taken from Randy's Article -- How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme

"Limewater (also known by the German term kalkwasser) has been used very successfully by aquarists for a number of years, and it is the system that I use on my tank."

"The calcium ions in the solution obviously supply calcium to the tank, and the hydroxide ions supply alkalinity."

That is all I have time for now but if you don't believe me do some research. You will find that kalkwasser can be used as a balanced additive that supplies calcium and alkalinity.

[StirCrazy]

ok, I think we're getting a little confused, this is from RHF

" In an aquarium with an acceptable pH, there is no concern that the alkalinity provided by limewater is any different from any other carbonate alkalinity supplement. The hydroxide immediately disappears into the bicarbonate/carbonate system. In other words, the amount of hydroxide present in aquarium water is really a function of only pH (regardless of what has been added), and at any pH below 9, it is an insignificant factor in alkalinity tests"

so yes it does add alk, but not relitive to Ca so if you want to raise your Alk but not Ca you can't do it with kalk. and in my case if I wanted to keep my Ca at a NSW level of 380 to 400, but I like an elivated Alk, I needed to run both.

Steve