Kalk and reactor
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Reef Chemistry
Forum Description: A place to discuss reef chemistry.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42589
Printed Date: October 13 2025 at 7:02am
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Topic: Kalk and reactor
Posted By: bugzme
Subject: Kalk and reactor
Date Posted: August 01 2010 at 6:23pm
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Is kalk from a reactor stronger then the drip method (exposed to air) stronger? Just started my new reactor up and it seems alot stronger! ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Replies:
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 01 2010 at 7:15pm
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How are you noticing the strength? Is it creating higher pH than before? Is it affecting coral? The tank has changed a lot lately, what with changing rock and all, so it could be reacting differently to Kalkwasser. I suppose two other things would have an effect: 1- How fast Kalkwasser was added via dripping vs. how fast the reactor adds it. 2- The strength of the drip mix. Was a residual amount of powder left in the drip mix container? The exposure to air will cause some reaction with CO2 creating a hard Calcium Carbonate crust on the top of the Kalkwasser solution. If there was no leftover Kalk powder in the bottom, this would reduce the concentration/strength of the Kalkwasser solution. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: August 01 2010 at 8:16pm
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I just don't want to go from dripping with no reactor, to dosing with a reactor! Right now I have a 1/2 cup kalk in my reactor (mixing it for 1 min. every 6 hrs.). Kalk is a bad thing if you use it wrong so I don't want to take any chances. Corals look great right now! I always ask before I do anything! ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 8:37am
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I'm sorry, maybe I missed something. Why does the Kalkwasser in the reactor seem a lot stronger?
------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 5:38pm
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Seems like my ph goes up alot faster. ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 6:02pm
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I belive oxygen has a big part in kalk.... if I remember what jon told me, is that when the kalk hits oxygen that's when it goes from just calcium hydroxide, to calcium and alk (that's all in simple terms he explained it to me on a molecular level). And air will make the alk weaker in due time.. I have even been told that I should keep a lid over my kalk resivor so that the ph stays higher
Plus now you are saturating every ounce of water that passes threw the kalk. Before if you had it mixed and sitting, it would accept as much as it could, then decline a little before you put it in the tank. |
Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: August 02 2010 at 6:13pm
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Thanks! that explains it. It is stronger do to not being exposed to air. ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |