Kalk Q?

Funky_Fish14 · #1 11-28-2009, 01:47 AM

What is your pH at?

Myka · #2 11-28-2009, 01:53 AM

I don't test pH. I am picking up a pH pen tomorrow though. I will test it and let you know. I haven't tested pH in years.

Delphinus · #3 11-28-2009, 02:44 AM

You could always consider a couple degrees in chemistry.

Actually I remember my chem classes in university as being the most fun. Mostly because we were blowing things up. One of the chem profs was clearly insane. I fondly remember his demonstration of hydrogen and oxygen bonding to form water. It was a huge lecture hall and even in the back of the class I felt the shockwave blow my hair back (yes I had hair once - it was the early 90's and I had it in an artsy ponytail and I wore black turtlenecks and bracelets - the chicks totally dug that.) Too bad that organic chem was one of the hardest things I've ever worked on and I barely survived that course with a C- forever dashing any hopes and dreams I had of going on to med school. But it does come in handy when trying to understand posts like Brads and Chris's.

Funky_Fish14 · #4 11-28-2009, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

I don't test pH. I am picking up a pH pen tomorrow though. I will test it and let you know. I haven't tested pH in years.

Oh wow, haha. Alright.
(Im no better though, I last tested my pH a few months ago

- my @ home test kits are expired even

)

Myka, I think if you drip a small amount in the tank over a period of time, it should actually be fine. I dont think you will affect your pH very much. However I guess your pH should be identified before you give it a shot, haha.

As then you can also track it. You could mix a weak solution and let that drip when you do try it at first. With a slow drip (into an area of high waterflow), the reaction will proceed correctly without the need for dabbling with anything other than pure water (use RO water if you can) and the kalk.

Hope that helps

Chris

Funky_Fish14 · #5 11-28-2009, 03:21 AM

LOL Tony! Doesnt it make it fun?

I dont know if being in organic chem courses makes it any easier to understand.

There are 'rules' that are always the same, and you are let to believe its simple to understand, then just as you think it applies to an entire chemical group, you discover the other 34 rules that apply to each other part. Hah. Even the profs often get stumped.

Myka · #6 11-28-2009, 10:40 PM

I got some plain ole calcium today, so no need to mess with the Kalk now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funky_Fish14

Oh wow, haha. Alright.
(Im no better though, I last tested my pH a few months ago

- my @ home test kits are expired even

)

I don't test pH because it's not overly important, like testing nitrite. If everything else is on target, and I'm using a skimmer it's impossible for pH to be so out of whack that it will affect anything.

I got the pH pen today, but it's calibrated with pH 4 and 7 fluid for freshwater, so I need to get some pH 7 and 10 calibration fluid for saltwater.

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #7 11-28-2009, 11:22 PM

For what its worth, I use a 2L juice jug, add several tablespoons of kalk, add water, let sit for 1 hour at least, pour the semi-clear solution into the sump but not the concentrated slurry on the bottom.

I do this several times a day into my 210g with 75g sump with no problems & good coral growth in a heavily stocked (both corals & fish) display with a high calcium requirement.

On some of the sps, am achieving at least a cm/month growth.

Anthony