How To Use the King of All Saltwater Additives Safely and Effectively

[imadang]

Is it posible to cycle a tank with just dry rock?

[lDARYLN3LSONl]

Can you make a video on the maintenance you used to do on your 90 gallon?

[MrMKFPhoto]

Hey Mark! Great Episode, I use a Kalk +2 with good results, with about 4 tsp in my 5 gal. top off container! When you mention pH swings of .02, are you referring to the immediate pH change within the tank after the ATO introduces the water to the tank? I know that my pH has consistent changes throughout the day based on time, such as a low of 8.18 to 8.33. Again, thanks for the video, I'm a big fan!

[astchiefy]

Over years i've had the misfortune of the PH swing when adding kalk. How do you address if the PH rises above the alotted .02 ? I currently use B-Ionic as I haven't had any issues such as Kalk but I havnt gotten the calcium where I want it.

[ugotbawlz]

Mark, thanks for all of your videos man!!! The reef community really appreciates it!

[mrsaltwatertank]

@ugotbawlz you are welcome! Thanks for watching!

[heyitsevanm]

what kind of ato pump are you using ???

[MrBettacare]

i got a question i have really high ph and it is about 8.8 it always stays at that then can i not keep corals and how can i lower it and can i have fish in there this will be my first saltwater tank

[horanz]

@MrBettacare You have a freshwater tank now? Trying turning down or removing the bubbles.

[BDucati1098]

How long can you keep a mixed container of kalk and ro? I have a 33 gallon top off container and only 1.5 gallons of evaporation a day. that means I top off that container with kalk and ro water maybe 1 time a month or less. Is this ok?

[ReptiRacks]

Where did you find that tubing acrylic holder in your sump ?

[cbiss2882]

What is the second reason for you not liking Kalk stirrers?

[letzfly01]

great advice...however with regards to keeping your tank stable....how do you adjust for different evaporation rates..ie. summer / winter.....thanks in advance.

[ReefNewbie123]

The apex. Either really.

[ReefNewbie123]

Mrsaltwatertank, when is the deal for the apex's up again?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@ReefNewbie123 apex or apex Jr's?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@ReefNewbie123 no specific timeline yet, but probably end of Aug

[macdaddy1600]

they say to dose kalk 24 7 thats what i do what do you think

[ReefNewbie123]

is it just ro/di water? or can premixed ro/di water from my lfs be used?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@ReefNewbie123 as long as it is RO/DI that's fine.

[mrsaltwatertank]

@ReefNewbie123 meaning you mix it in freshwater (RODI water)

[officertango1]

An online seller kalkwasser say that before using kalkwasser to maintain calcium and alkalinity, you need to use "Kalkwasser Starter Package includes all the additives necessary to raise calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium before using Kalkwasser to maintain the tank" is this true or can i just dose kalkwasser.

[Kevpierre]

mrsaltwatertankcom/15-minutes-­to-clarity, I cannot find this, please help. Thanks

[mrsaltwatertank]

@Kevpierre put a dot (.) in between mrsaltwatertank and com. 

[saltyreef10]

I heard the the two little fishies brand of kalkwasser "SAYS" it can precipitate phosphates.

Is this true?

PLS reply. Thanks

[everlastingauraX]

@saltyreef10 Kalkwasser is essentially calcium hydroxide: CaOH(2).

When Kalk becomes aqueous, it releases Ca+ and OH- ions. Because calcium is so reactive, it reacts with the phosphate ions in the water, creating calcium phosphate: Ca(3)PO4(2) which is highly insoluble. Another bonus that you might not know is that the hydroxide ions: OH- precipitate out copper ions o.o

To answer your question, any kind of Kalk can precipitate phosphates and other heavy metals.

[wujekFrAnZ]

@everlastingauraX

Actually when you investigate online you will find out that gathered phosphates will come back into water when your pH falls down (when you stop adding kalk). And that may kill your tank. Where did you read about kalk creating Ca(3)PO4(2) which is insoluble? Any links? In Europe ppl stop using Kalk because they say it gathers phosphates in your live rock and sand, and then BOOM! if pH falls...

[muffemod]

DAT LIMEWATER

[MAZENBIRA]

2nd - sometimes the CO2 tank will finish and in my area its really hard to fill it back it need at least 2 days :( what i should do keep the calcium off and the kalk will do the job or what ??!

3rd i am using aquamedic nitrate redactor 1000 at the begging the level of nitrate became from 1 to 0.05 then it came back again to 1 i don't know what is the issue what do you suggest

[MAZENBIRA]

thank you for this nice post .. i have aqracare model 1 calcium reactor + magsm tube and i have added a aquamedic kalk reactor to with top off sp300 when i used to test the PH through the reactor used to give me ( inside the reactor ) 6.9 co2 on to 7.4 co2 off

in the sump the ph will reach 8.4 - i moved the tested to inside the tank it self and it keep floating from 7.9 to max 8 and it is not going more than that is this ok or it should go up to 8.4 as most of sites tells

[metle95]

what is your tank personalty

[Darvin1964]

Hello .. Ok so is that Starting at 1 tsp per five gallons of tank cap.. Or ato Res..

Thanks

[Darvin1964]

@Darvin1964 also i use a ten gallon tank for ato.. if using this Kalk in it would using an extra pump in ato res. to keep water addgetated do more good or harm????

[mrsaltwatertank]

@Darvin1964 ATO Reservoir

[SuperMegaNinjaKitty]

Hello, could you PM me details of the ph pen as well please? Thanks. Great video as well by the way - very helpful.

[abaneyone]

Mark I've heard some people use 1/4th cup distilled vinegar per gallon of RO water. Do you think the vinegar is necessary, helpful, detrimental or doesn't matter?

[jkf1983]

@abaneyone I'm using kalk and vinegar and have been very happy with the results.

[frogfeeder]

Love your great vids! Im about to start dosing kalk on my system of about 45g. I now use esv 2part but use the alk#2 2-3x more than calcium. Now that I have params stable I see more calcified growth. My dkh goes from 10 to 8 in 3 days, I use 1ml per G of esv#2 to bring back to 10.I will be dosing with gravity drip/ato, the jug is 3L. How much kentkalkwasser should I add to ato jug to maintain a level of 10dkh? And how fast is too fast, my ato kinda glugs the water in, I use about 1L a day topoff

[29galreefman]

is Kalk all i need or do i have to add magnesium and strontium ?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@29galreefman strontium isn't needed. Magnesium can help your corals grow if you have corals.

[legna8046]

Im trying to make my auto top off directly from my ro di filter how can i put the kalk in. Angel Q

[mrsaltwatertank]

@legna8046 don't plumb your top off directly off your RODI. If the top off fails, your RODI will pump fresh water into your saltwater tank and cause a major flood

[legna8046]

im trying to make my auto top off directly from my ro di filter how can i put the kalk in. Angel Q

[sirrealtravelr]

Comment to Renano: I would make adjustments in the Texas summer when you are evaporating more. 

Mr.: Do you have problem with the solution messing up your aqualifter?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@sirrealtravelr No I use a pre-filter before the aqualifter. Also, make sure that you aren't sucking up the sludge in the bottom of the container. If you are, that will screw up the aqualifter.

[abaneyone]

Is the "kalk" you mention a ready made product that you buy or just Calcium hydroxide powder? I just recently found out that calcium hydroxide is often called kalk water or kalkwater. When I first saw this video I didn't know what kalk was.

[mrsaltwatertank]

@abaneyone Kalk is calcium hydroxide. I always buy mine from fish supplement makers as their kalk is super clean. That way I know the only thing in the kalk powder, is kalk, and no other junk.

[andyportillo]

Hi, My question goes like this. I am using a calcium reactor for my 90 gallon stony tank. I have a 30 gallon sump/fuge and have an ato system attached to it. I use a maxi-jet 1200 to pump in the top-off water, I have very low PH 7.5 due to the calcium reactor and also too much CO2 in my home. How do I incorporate the Kalk to be used with my top-off to raise the PH without raising the calcium?

[RolandCadieux]

Is it better to use a 5 gallons container or is it OK to use a 15 gallons container for my ATO and Kalk?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@RolandCadieux Either one is fine. I like the 5G jugs b/c they are easy to move around.

[ifUdidwoodU]

cool keep it up

[wesleyforbes]

I am definately looking forward to adding kalk to my ATO. I am currently using 2 Part, will dosing kalk take the place of this?

Also, there are so many pH pens, which do you recommend? Do I place the pen in the tank water right before ATO comes on, then right after ATO stops then take reading to see if it goes up?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@wesleyforbes kalk can replace the Alk/Ca part of 2-part depending on the Alk/Ca uptake of your tank. I still supplement my Ca about 40 mL/day in addition to kalk. However, I don't have to supplement Alk anymore.

I will PM you with a link to the PM pen. YT won't let me post links in comments

Place the pH pen in the water right as you hear the ATO kick on. Once the ATO turns off, wait about 10 mins, then measure the pH of your water.

[cm08060111]

i brought a ph pen but i didnt notice that it range from 0.0 &14.0 could it still work or do you recommend to get a more accurate? (0.00 &14.00)

[mrsaltwatertank]

@cm08060111 Esch...I didn't consider that most pH pens don't measure .00. I apologize. I'll send you a message with a link to one I found that measures down to .00 (YouTube won't let me post links in comments

[Remnano]

@mrsaltwatertank Can you PM me the link to the PH pen please. Thanks

[mrsaltwatertank]

@Remnano YT won't let me PM you for some reason. PM me your info and I'll get it over to you

[MoneyMarcMes]

I just subscribed to your show. Wonderful information that you give and you are so much more informative and up to date then Jim from LA Fish Guys!!! Thank You!!! For once someone who doesn't use a swing arm specific gravity meter! LOL!!! Loved your episode on how to pick up women from an LFS!!! LMAO!!! Keep up the good work!

[mrsaltwatertank]

@MoneyMarcMes Thanks for the compliment and I'll stay after it!

[TheMeandBShow]

@mrsaltwatertank Thanks! I will try that.

[uceid]

Thank you so much Mark, I feel a bit more secure now about using Kalk.

[mrsaltwatertank]

@uceid You are welcome. Start slow and work your way up. If you do this, you can't screw it up.

[KimLegend93]

@mrsaltwatertank

I don't have Ph tester but i want to use kalk .what will you recommend me ??

I have some sps coral.

Thanks.

[mrsaltwatertank]

@KimLegend93 Kim- I'd spend the $25 and get a pH pen. They are worth it as pH test kits are famous for being inaccurate and hard to read. I especially recommend the pH if you are going to start running kalk.

[RealReef7]

Do you dose a 2-part in your tank or do you just use kalk?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@RealReef7 I supplement with 20 mL of Ca a day and about 30 mL of Mg. I don't dose ALK anymore since I started running kalk.

[RealReef7]

@mrsaltwatertank Just curious, why would you use kalk to just dose alk? It would be alot safer to just run baking soda as it only raises the alk and not the ph. Also, wouldn't kalk raise your Ca too? I do not understand why you would use kalk and have to dose Ca. Sorry for all the questions. (Im in a battle of keeping my chemistry stable.)

[mrsaltwatertank]

@RealReef7 I still dose Ca because the concentration of kalk I'm running doesn't keep the Ca high enough for my liking.

[RealReef7]

@mrsaltwatertank Here is my current problem. The salt I use has way to much Ca in it.( Kent marine). I need help lowering my Ca levels to around 450ppm (I currently have it around 520ppm.) The problem i see in my tank is that it is heavily stocked with softies and lps and it doesn't really have a high demand in Ca. So in the future I am planning on using Instant Ocean salt mix which has alot less Ca in it. But for now what do you think would be the best way to lower my Ca?? My alk is at 9 dkh .

[mrsaltwatertank]

@RealReef7 There are a couple of things you can do:

#1: Try shaking up your bucket of salt. The heavier particles in the bucket could have settled out so as you are mixing up your saltwater, you could be dosing more Ca than is intended.

#2: Add in some SPS or clams. They'll both use up calcium. Note: It'll take a fair amount of SPS can clams to lower your Ca so this is more of a long term play

#3: Raise your Alk. Alk and Ca have an inverse relationship. One goes up, the other must come down.

[TheMeandBShow]

My auto top off is a gravity fed system. Out of the bottom of a 5 gallon container to a mechanical float in my sump. I don't think I would be able to avoid sending the sludge into my system. Is there any other way you would suggest getting the Kalk dosed into the tank without it spiking levels?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@TheMeandBShow You could either run a line out the side of the bucket, about 2" up (just above the sludge line), or you could mix up your kalk in one container, then pour it into your 5 gallon container, leaving the sludge behind. The sludge would stay in the container where you mixed the kalk.

[lazylivin]

@TheMeandBShow You could also mix your kalk in a separate container, let it settle and pour the clean pure kalk water into your ato container.

[cmanclan101]

nice video. you should do one covering the basics of RoDi systems

[AllAboutAquariums]

Are those biking jerseys I see in the backround? Do you race?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@AllAboutAquariums Yes they are. I'm not a cyclist, but not a racer. Not enough speed (yet).

[gooberls1]

Hey my idea got made into a video.



[mrsaltwatertank]

@gooberls1 Yep! Thanks for your suggestion! 

[Remnano]

Hi Mark. I use fans to cool my tank so I've got more water evaporation than your average tank. Can I still use kalk in my ATO reservoir?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@Remnano Absolutely! I have fans that cool my tank as well and I run kalk no problems. Just remember, start slow and work your way up. Each tank is different for how much kalk it takes to keep things stable, so watch your pH/Alk rises and adjust up or down as needed.

[TheWarOrphan]

Kalk is King!!