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01/10/2017, 05:35 PM | #1 |
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BRS Kalkwasser worth it
I've seen BRS Kalkwasser. Seems pretty cool. Is it worth getting the starter kit? I so, do you suggest dosing my RO or setting up a drip. This is all new to me. 120g tank with only a cleanup crew thus far. Fish next. Then someday coral.
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01/10/2017, 05:37 PM | #2 |
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If you don't have coral you likely don't need it at all.
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01/10/2017, 06:06 PM | #3 |
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As potatohead said, without corals you don't need it. When it comes time to start dosing, then Kalk is a fine choice. You don't need to use the BRS stuff. If you can find it in the grocery store or online, pickling like is the same stuff.
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01/10/2017, 06:17 PM | #4 |
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So until I start filling the tank with coral, don't bother?
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01/10/2017, 06:18 PM | #5 |
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With that in mind, how important are my calcium levels in a FOWLR tank (before I put any coral).
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01/10/2017, 06:28 PM | #6 |
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The calcium level is important to coralline algae, as well as stony corals and clams. If you don't want to grow any of those organisms in your tank, it doesn't much matter what the level is, as far as we can tell.
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01/10/2017, 06:31 PM | #7 |
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Maintaining NSW levels are fine for a fish only tank and will aid in stability of PH, alkalinity and magnesium, which keeps fish healthy. Calcium depletion is only a concern when you have coral and inverts. I use Pickling lime (calcium hydroxide) in my ATO top off to supplement my calcium.
Using the following calculator: http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html
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01/10/2017, 06:57 PM | #8 |
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Pickling lime? Like what you make pickles with? Lol
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01/10/2017, 07:43 PM | #9 |
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It's food grade. A lot of us use it. Cheap too. Walmart and others carry it in the canning section of the store. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Don Reefing since 1993 Current Tank info: 125 gallon DT , 125 gallon basement sump. Rw 15 & Rw 8. Panworld 150ps return. Reef Octopus 150 skimmer, 3 165w mars aqua led. |
01/10/2017, 07:48 PM | #10 |
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Lime contains calcium hydroxide (or oxide), and provides calcium and alkalinity at the approximate ratio in which corals consume them:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm
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01/10/2017, 09:34 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
I drip for the time being. I have used BRS stuff. There are cheaper options out there but not at the size your probably wanting to buy. I could get by with 2 part, and still dose it. but the kalk helps my pH. It's cheaper for my needs than 2 part, and it's 1 bottle in the place of two.
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01/10/2017, 09:43 PM | #12 |
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The price difference between the BRS kalk and Mrs wages is negligible . They are both calcium hydroxide.
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01/11/2017, 12:20 PM | #13 |
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Thanks for the info. I wouldn't know where to begin with the pickle juice versus using kalk at a predetermined level.
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01/11/2017, 01:47 PM | #14 |
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01/11/2017, 02:24 PM | #15 |
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I used Mrs Wages lime for many years. Not available in my small town. Bought a jug of BRS kalk a few months ago, I don't see any difference. BRS kalk is $12/gallon, a gallon of dry kalk weighs what, maybe 3 lbs? Mrs Wages is available on Amazon, 6x 1lb packs for $23... It's a wash, to me. I like the BRS screw top jugs better than Mrs Wages packaging.
From a dosing point of view, I don't think there's any difference at all. |
01/11/2017, 07:01 PM | #16 |
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They all should be about the same except for impurities. Exposure to air will cause the lime to convert back to calcium carbonate over time, but other than that, it is stable and should last a long time if kept sealed. A food-grade product should be fine. I might worry about an industrial grade product.
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03/08/2017, 04:16 PM | #17 |
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Send me your empty BRS containers and I'll fill it up with pickling lime for you like BRS does. There is 0 difference except for cost. Buy a cheap two little fishies reactor. Put 1/3cup of pickling lime in every 7 days. Your kh will stay spot on 24 hours a day for 7 days. Skip putting it in an ATO res. That's too messy and hard to get the correct dose.
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03/08/2017, 04:43 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
This has sparked my interest - anyone else out there using this method? This would be easier than using the ato. I happen to have a spare TLF reactor Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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03/08/2017, 05:04 PM | #19 |
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That approach might work in some cases. It's uncontrolled dosing, though, and could fail dramatically. It might also cause some other elements to precipitate. I wouldn't do it, personally.
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03/09/2017, 01:16 PM | #20 |
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I think just adding it in bulk weekly is inefficient and risky in terms of high pH , precipitation and rangy variable alk levels at the least. Dosing it slowly from a still reservoir(any container ) works well. Dosing via ATO is problematic in terms of the consistency of the dose.
BTW check the cost on pickling lime vs BRS before assuming one is cheaper. Mrs Wages ,the most common pickling lime here, works out to be about the same IME.
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Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals. Last edited by tmz; 03/09/2017 at 01:26 PM. |
03/09/2017, 02:45 PM | #21 |
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I use BRS Kalk in my 180 now (in my 90 for a long time before that). 1tsp/gallon saturated doesn't quite keep up with my usage, so I use 2 part to supplement. But Kalk in my ATO provides the majority of my calcium and alk needs.
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03/11/2017, 11:17 AM | #22 |
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I hate the Mrs. Wage's ziplock bag! Bring back the old screw top canister.
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