Simple method of dosing alk?

ponokareefer · #1 02-09-2009, 02:54 PM

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 · #2 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 · #3 02-09-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

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 · #4 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 · #5 02-09-2009, 05:04 PM

How would you make a DIY Kalk container?

Aquattro · #6 02-09-2009, 05:04 PM

BTW, what are your nitrates at?

Aquattro · #7 02-09-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponokareefer

How would you make a DIY Kalk container?

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

ponokareefer · #8 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 · #9 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 · #10 02-09-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by untamed

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.