Dripping kalk

[RAZZ]

Thinking of starting to drip kalk at night as a top off,think it would do good for the tank.Any thoughts or suggestions would help.I will start off with a diluted mixture then work up from there.

80 gal.
420 cal.
9.0 dkh
havent tested mag.
2x250 6500K MH
4 fish
numerous clams and soft and polyp corals

THNX
JOHN in ABQ.

[scubadude]

Just curious...whats your PH swing in your tank right now? It appears you have good levels as it is with your Ca and Alk, not saying it wouldnt make it better if you dripped Kalk though. The clams may be sucking down alot of calcium, but you dont have any stoneys? A quick magnesium check could show that just a slight magnesium adjustment may help in keeping your levels in Ca and Alk a tad higher

Rocky

[RAZZ]

Scubadude
Thanx for the reply.Dose kent coral vite and essential elements weekly,also I'm pretty good at water changes,dont think mag. is a problem but havent tested lately,last time it was fine.(LFS tested 1250 I believe) Thinking about the kalk for a better way of maintaining levels.PH goes 8.1 in the A.M. to 8.4 P.M.Getting levels up isn't a problem.Just think kalk would help in maintaining these levels.I also like the idea of precipitating phosphates if any.

THNX AGAIN

[scubadude]

Scubadude
....Just think kalk would help in maintaining these levels.I also like the idea of precipitating phosphates if any.

THNX AGAIN

TOUCHE! By all means then I would go for it....Much more effecient way than paying Kent's Mortgage

I will start off with a diluted mixture then work up from there.

Dunno if you have dripped kalk b4 or not but this is the only thing I would be careful w/ when you start dripping kalk...Just make sure it settles and you only use the top 2/3 level so you do get the precipitating of your yuckies out. There was an article that Randy Holmes Farley did on precipitation of Kalk and the saturation time is unbelievable....ppl are actually adding more kalk prematurely and this actually will sometimes decrease their saturation....I hope you understand that. The slurry method can be used but you have to be very careful because it will offset your PH swing (even the slurry method needs some settling). I think an autotopoff system incorporated with kalk can be one of the best ways if setup properly, the only problem that occurs is calcification of float valves can cause sticking but that can be avoided if you clean them monthly.

Rocky

[RAZZ]

Scubadude thanx for the quick replys.Went and bought new CA./ALK test kits,want to double check my kits and get a baseline.Also bought a MAG.test kit.I have way to much invested in clams to make any stupid moves.Will start slow,and by the way I have never used kalk b4.This is why I'm asking .Will double check all readings and go from there.Like the idea of dripping kalk but I'm a little leary,wanted to try this for a long time.(Will be dripping at night,no auto topoff.Any thoughts.

THANX
JOHN IN ABQ.

[Poseidon]

Make sure to get JACO or John guest fittings for the line. I use 1/4" jaco to control the drip rate myself...