When dosing 2-part is there a need for a Kalk stirrer?

[epleeds]

Just wondering if my ALK/CAL are consistent using 2-part is there a need for a Kalk stirrer?

 

I Evap about 5 gallons per day on a 250 gallon system.

 

Pros and cons please.

Edited January 10, 2013 by epleeds

[Steve175]

Pro: A secondary source of Ca and Alk in the event that your dosing pumps fail (or your reservoirs run out) for a day or two without you noticing.

[zygote2k]

Kalkwasser is a 'balanced' additive meaning that it delivers equal parts calcium and alkalinity. The tank however does not use cal or alk in the same amounts and after using kalk for a while, one of the parts ends up higher or lower than the other.

2 part dosing of individual components is preferred to keep both parts balanced.

IMO, it is the safest way to deliver these chemicals without a possible overdose.

[Origami]

Just wondering if my ALK/CAL are consistent using 2-part is there a need for a Kalk stirrer?

 

I Evap about 5 gallons per day on a 250 gallon system.

 

Pros and cons please.

 

No, there is no need. Kalk can, when dosed constantly and consistency, raise your average pH (because it consumes acidifying CO2 in the conversion to bicarbonate and carbonate alkalinity). This can, in turn ease the relative burden for calcifying (mostly hard) corals to build their calcium carbonate skeletons. But, chemically speaking, there's no additional benefit as long as everything is working.

 

Redundancy also has to consider the additional failure modes introduced when extra equipment is added.

(Sent from my phone)

 

 

[dandy7200]

Kalkwasser is a 'balanced' additive meaning that it delivers equal parts calcium and alkalinity. The tank however does not use cal or alk in the same amounts and after using kalk for a while, one of the parts ends up higher or lower than the other.

2 part dosing of individual components is preferred to keep both parts balanced.

IMO, it is the safest way to deliver these chemicals without a possible overdose.

 

So you dont dose your 2 part in equal amounts? Do you take measurements before every dose?

 

IMHO dosing a balanced solution, measuring and correcting on a regular basis is the best strategy, doesnt matter if it is 2 part, kalk, or a calcium reactor.

 

 

 

 

[dandy7200]

 

 

Kalk can, when dosed constantly and consistency, raise your average pH (because it consumes acidifying CO2 in the conversion to bicarbonate and carbonate alkalinity). This can, in turn ease the relative burden for calcifying (mostly hard) corals to build their calcium carbonate skeletons.

(Sent from my phone)

 

And if you have sufficient magnesium combined with the above you can watch those hard corals grow like weeds.