how to mix 5gallons of kalkwasser?-Fish Tank-3reef Forums

darren_sfsu · 04-05-2008, 08:18 AM

literally- how do you physically mix mrs wages and water? do people just use a spatula and stir, or a power head (air is a big no-no) for several minutes?

i added too much, and the snow was spectacular, but i really want to avoid adding, mixing, checking, adding, mixing, checking....

i made small batches with vinegar, and it works great, but i need to make 5 gallons which is about one tablespoon of kalk, and ~200mls of vinegar which has me nervous.

is there mixing method to allow 10-15 gallons to be made at once? or is it the same for small liter sized batches just scaled up!

thanks, darren

lunatik_69 · 04-05-2008, 08:36 AM

Im personaly mixing it in a milk gal, shaking it up, letting it sit for a couple hrs and then pouring it into the dripper.

Tangster · 04-05-2008, 08:50 AM

Just one tablespoon of lime to 5 gallons ? Kind of a weak mix is it not ? When I used to mix I used 2 tablespoons to the gallon and tried to keep the mixing water as cold and or cool as possible. and when I stirred it I did it s slow as possible to not mix air and CO'2 into the batch and then I kept the bucket top on tight. And if you allow the batch to set a few days it will be better also.. As for larger batches it is all the same just use more lime a good batch will have a P.H of 12 to 14 I never found a need for vinegar myself. Still don't All My reactor uses is freshwater with a P.H of 6.9 out of the water filter. watch the vinegar if you have to use it ? But again I'd ask Why use vinegar ..

lunatik_69 · 04-05-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangster

But again I'd ask Why use vinegar ..

To my understanding, vinegar is used to lower the ph in the kalk. I personaly dont use vinegar b/c I need all the ph buffer I can get. I guess some ppl use it so their ph doesnt go over board.

darren_sfsu · 04-05-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangster

Just one tablespoon of lime to 5 gallons ? Kind of a weak mix is it not ? When I used to mix I used 2 tablespoons to the gallon and tried to keep the mixing water as cold and or cool as possible. and when I stirred it I did it s slow as possible to not mix air and CO'2 into the batch and then I kept the bucket top on tight. And if you allow the batch to set a few days it will be better also.. As for larger batches it is all the same just use more lime a good batch will have a P.H of 12 to 14 I never found a need for vinegar myself. Still don't All My reactor uses is freshwater with a P.H of 6.9 out of the water filter. watch the vinegar if you have to use it ? But again I'd ask Why use vinegar ..

hi tangster - I read that he saturation point of calcium hydroxide in 1gal of water is ~2 teaspoons which puts your recipe quite liberal, then again, the stuff is cheap.

actually, my evaporation is low, and my calcium needs are very low (do mussels and crabs use calcium ions to build their shells?), so i really don't need to cram that much ca into solution using vinegar. i guess it is that much more efficient use of materials!

it has brought my pH from 7.6 to 8.2, and [ca] to 400ppm which is nice. no idea what my alkalinity is - ouch, i know.

Tangster · 04-05-2008, 02:11 PM

I use the Tbl spoons because I want total saturation.. It is cheap enough.. If you use it regularly ? P/M me I can get you a far better price per pond then Ms. Wages And its 51% pure and FCC grade' Or food grade a finer powder less abrasive to pumps and such. I still use it in a reactor now for all my make up water 24/7 the Water filter is fed right into it. I just add powder as the stuff lowers in depth in the reactor.

And stir it slowly as the CO2 introduced in with the air will lower it's effectiveness. When its mixed properly there will be a thin skin to form on the surface that also helps to keep CO'2s out . And never use the old settled out stuff in the buckets bottom its worthless ..

Tangster · 04-05-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunatik_69

To my understanding, vinegar is used to lower the ph in the kalk. I personaly dont use vinegar b/c I need all the ph buffer I can get. I guess some ppl use it so their ph doesnt go over board.

I know well what the idea behind the use of vinegar was but I just ask why there is not that much to be gained really and if you miss the proper amount of vinegar then its a problem. Like with the Guys here a few months ago talking about adding Vodka to grow bacteria to lower NO3's But over shoot that number what ever it is and see what happens . Again I'd ask why mess with it. Not that much to be gained and it can cause problems .. Perfect storms do happen.. (:

As long as the wheel nicely rolls along I see no reason to re invent and change it really..

darren_sfsu · 04-08-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangster

And stir it slowly as the CO2 introduced in with the air will lower it's effectiveness. When its mixed properly there will be a thin skin to form on the surface that also helps to keep CO'2s out . And never use the old settled out stuff in the buckets bottom its worthless ..

1.fill 5 gallon bucket full of cold, DI water (i have it on tap)
2. add ~10 Tablespoons of kalk
3. mix slowly with a big wooden spoon

that's it?

thanks!

ardo_ski · 04-08-2008, 08:30 AM

From what I read if you use too much it will just settle to the bottom, Like some of the other posts it is cheap enough that it would be better over saturate than not enough. Thought there was test done that the affects of air on the mix isn't as big of deal as everyone thought.

Here is what found here

The Degradation of Limewater in Air by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Limewater can lose potency by reacting with carbon dioxide in the air, forming insoluble calcium carbonate. Since calcium carbonate is not an effective supplement of calcium and alkalinity in reef aquaria, the limewater can become less useful through this process. The rate at which this happens in large containers, such as plastic trashcans with loose fitting lids, is much less than many aquarists expect. There is, in fact, little degradation under typical use conditions. Consequently, the dosing of limewater from such large still reservoirs can be just as effective as dosing using any other scheme, and may have substantial advantages. These advantages include simplicity of the system and the ability to use organic acids such as vinegar to boost the potency. The use of a reactor to dose limewater has the advantage of requiring less space, but does not have the oft-stated advantage of eliminating degradation by atmospheric carbon dioxide that is reported to plague delivery from reservoirs

Tangster · 04-08-2008, 08:58 AM

Yes well if I'm going to all the trouble to mix it why not keep it as potent as I can myself . If It where me and I do I'd get a Kalk reactor and P/M me if you want a better deal on the kalk far less then Mrs Wages and finer powder less abrasive to pumps on a reactor . Keep air and your kalk separated as possible .