Putting Kalk in the ATO?

SteveConn · #1 11-18-2011, 11:06 PM

I've been running kalk/vinegar diluted in RODI water for about 3 weeks thru my Tunze ATO.. levels are good as long as I dont run a cooling fan (levels shot up), however, my pump doesn't sound normal...noisy now when it tops up. I think there is calcium buildup in it. Was thinking of running straight vinegar thru it to clean it out.
The Kalk/vinegar method can be found online.

Debating going to 2 part dosing or just getting a Calcium reactor as I already have the CO2 tank, solenoid and ph monitor from a planted freshwater setup I used to have

Madreefer · #2 11-19-2011, 12:09 AM

If you want you can come by and take a look at the way I'm doing it. I run both a calcium reactor and kalk reactor. Never mind. Sorry I was looking at wrong screen name. iPhone screen too small

Son Of Skyline · #3 11-19-2011, 06:23 AM

I've been adding kalk to my ato for about a year now and I think it's one of the best things I could have done for my tank. I've been adding 1 tspn per gal with good success. I also run a calcium reactor but it's not always consistent on it's own. With the kalk I don't have to worry about the reactor slowing down now and again. No special technique here, I just toss the kalk in every time I fill the ato reservoir. No pump clogging here either.

staceyd72 · #4 11-19-2011, 04:13 PM

Be cautious when/if using a float valve to release Kalk via ATO. A friend was using one model valve where the Kalk(Top off)) actually went through the float valve itself. Over time the Kalk built up on the float valve, it stayed open and pumped 30g of Kalk into the system; lost $20K worth of live stock

I use a gravity fed system i.e. drip, for Kalk only and a Tunze Osmolator for ATO.

Myka · #5 11-19-2011, 07:05 PM

When you guys add Kalk to the top off water don't you find that the addition of Kalk varies as the evaporation changes? I know my tank is hardly going through any top off water right now, and in the summer it was about 3 gallons per day. That could wreck havoc...?

SteveConn · #6 11-19-2011, 07:15 PM

I am having that problem with the kalk/vinegar mix I am using because it makes Ca and CO3 far more available than just kalk in water alone. I found with just kalk in water, I couldnt keep up with the needs of the corals in a small tank with SPS

ScubaSteve · #7 11-19-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

When you guys add Kalk to the top off water don't you find that the addition of Kalk varies as the evaporation changes? I know my tank is hardly going through any top off water right now, and in the summer it was about 3 gallons per day. That could wreck havoc...?

That has been my concern as well, but I'm going to try it at a low kalk concentration (0.5tsp/gallon) and adjust it accordingly like you would with two-part. I'm going to keep the kalk on the low side and use two part less frequently to dial it in. If I could get two-part down to every other day that'd be enough for me.

ponokareefer · #8 11-19-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

When you guys add Kalk to the top off water don't you find that the addition of Kalk varies as the evaporation changes? I know my tank is hardly going through any top off water right now, and in the summer it was about 3 gallons per day. That could wreck havoc...?

Things just grow more in the summer.

Did you have fans going in the summer to create more evaporation? I seem to remember evaporation higher in the winter when humidity was less.

Myka · #9 11-19-2011, 09:30 PM

Nothing has changed in my tank as far as equipment goes, but the humidity in the house is a tad higher, not much though.

I'm going to add Kalk+vinegar to my reef in the next while here because I'm dosing quite a lot and think Kalk would help keep the ions in balance a bit better, particularly keeping chloride down a bit. I'm going to dose as much Kalk as I can while keeping an eye on the pH and use the calcium and alkalinity dosing where the Kalk falls short. I'm going to use a doser for the Kalk.