Kalkwasser in the ATO reservoir

[hannernanner]

Hi all,
I've been so excited about my upcoming build that Ive been binge watching BRS's "52 weeks of reefing" series. So much helpful info! One of the strategies suggested in that series is incorporating Kalkwasser into the ATO reservoir, instead of daily dosing of 2-part. This seems like a more hands off, great alternative. My question is, how do you keep the concentration of Kalkwasser in that reservoir consistent. Assuming you refill the reservoir before it's completely empty, if you add the same dose of Kalkwasser you did the time before, the concentration would be higher, no? Better to wait until the reservoir is drained completely? Or empty it between fillings? Just trying to figure out how this looks in practice.
Cheers!

 

[kev.2013]

My 2 cents.

Evaporation will not always be the same, so the amount of kalk can change depending on how much your ATO is triggered.

Additionally, having kalk in the ATO can mess up with the pump - so I’ve read.

I’d recommend just shelling out $50 for a doser.

 

[hannernanner]

Ah good point about the evaporation changing. Hadn't thought of that.

 

[HuduVudu]

Hi all,
I've been so excited about my upcoming build that Ive been binge watching BRS's "52 weeks of reefing" series. So much helpful info! One of the strategies suggested in that series is incorporating Kalkwasser into the ATO reservoir, instead of daily dosing of 2-part. This seems like a more hands off, great alternative. My question is, how do you keep the concentration of Kalkwasser in that reservoir consistent. Assuming you refill the reservoir before it's completely empty, if you add the same dose of Kalkwasser you did the time before, the concentration would be higher, no? Better to wait until the reservoir is drained completely? Or empty it between fillings? Just trying to figure out how this looks in practice.
Cheers!

The best way to dose Kalk though it is kind of expensive is with a doser and a Kalk stirrer. This is the cleanest most hands off way of dosing.

As kev.2013 said the Kalk will eventually clog the pump of your ATO if you don't deal with it. You will need to clean it with some sort of acid very regularly to keep this from becoming a problem. Truly though with ATOs being such a source of danger why would you want to tak the risk.

 

[HuduVudu]

Ah good point about the evaporation changing. Hadn't thought of that.

If you have between 750ml and 1L of evap a day. Dose 600ml of Kalk and then let the ATO take care of the rest. This will keep things consistent.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Long time kalkwasser in the ATO reservoir user here, actually since 1993.

Let's talk about what's been said above so far.

Evaporation- Yes it will be different from time to time. In other words depending on the season and your house humidity. So depending on the usage of top off water, will depend on how much is dosed.

Typically during the winter months here in the US, humidity can be lower, thus using more top off water in the system. During these months i use less kalkwasser in the ATO reservoir. The opposite is true here during the summer months.

For me, a full dose of calcium hydroxide amount during summer and a half dose during winter.

Depending of the amount of evaporation in water volume, let's say in a reservoir that holds 5 gallons, in a week i use 3 gallons and have 2 gallons left in the reservoir, I fill the reservoir to 5 gallons and add enough dry calcium hydroxide powder for 3 gallons used. Now the total reservoir amount is back to full strength.

ATO pump- it's true over time the pump would need to be cleaned. ATO pump using calcium hydroxide in its water would be placed above the bottom of the reservoir as not to suck up the undissolved slurry. Only pumping clear water from the reservoir. The undissolved slurry can be removed every couple months as a part of maintenance. The pump can be cleaned using vinegar water, rinsed and replaced back into service.

 

[Daddy-o]

Hi all,
I've been so excited about my upcoming build that Ive been binge watching BRS's "52 weeks of reefing" series. So much helpful info! One of the strategies suggested in that series is incorporating Kalkwasser into the ATO reservoir, instead of daily dosing of 2-part. This seems like a more hands off, great alternative. My question is, how do you keep the concentration of Kalkwasser in that reservoir consistent. Assuming you refill the reservoir before it's completely empty, if you add the same dose of Kalkwasser you did the time before, the concentration would be higher, no? Better to wait until the reservoir is drained completely? Or empty it between fillings? Just trying to figure out how this looks in practice.
Cheers!

To answer the question that you asked- Mix the kalk with RO in a separate container and then pour into ATO. This way your kalk mix is always the same ratio.
Cheers! Mark

 

[Flippers4pups]

I've had great success in my 240 gallon total volume system with dosing only kalkwasser in my system. I don't dose anything else except occasionally some P04 when it drops to 0.

 

[Chlorinated]

I have used kalk in my ATO for years. How much I aad to my water varies based on season, but minor changes day to day with evaporation have never cause any issues for me.

I have a small tank and only evaporate about 3 gallons a week. To avoid crud getting sucked into the tank, i mix my kalk in 1 gallon jugs and let them sit for a day to settle out. Once settled, I just use a tube to siphon off the clear solution into my resivoir leaving all the junk behind.

Its more work, and not feasible for a tank that evaporates a lot of water, but for me it mitigates a risk and keeps my parameters rock solid.

 

[derekgoude]

You got some great feedback! I agree with Flippers and Kev.

May want to investigate a kalk reactor, like the avast marine ones. Can feed it with a dosing pump to have 100% control or live the yolo lifestyle, like me, and feed it with your ato pump. I'm currently using toms aqualifter. I used to use 2 part for years and I like this approach much much better.

 

[Chlorinated]

I've had great success in my 240 gallon total volume system with dosing only kalkwasser in my system. I don't dose anything else except occasionally some P04 when it drops to 0.

what is that huge coral in the right? Nice tank btw.

 

[SDK]

To answer the question that you asked- Mix the kalk with RO in a separate container and then pour into ATO. This way your kalk mix is always the same ratio.
Cheers! Mark

This is what I do. Primarily to let the solids settle before I pour into the ATO reservoir. This minimizes issues with fouling the ATO pump to almost nothing.

I also test and make occasional adjustments to a doser loaded with TM All for Reef. Makes for a nice, easy to implement system...

 

[Flippers4pups]

what is that huge coral in the right? Nice tank btw.

Thank you. Left to right in picture: GSP, stylophora, montipora cap, pocillipora, candy cane, toadstool leather.

 

[HuduVudu]

For me, a full dose of calcium hydroxide amount during summer and a half dose during winter.

Ohhh modding the dose is smart. I hadn't thought of this. Good call Flippers.

 

[hannernanner]

You all are awesome, thanks for such thoughtful and detailed responses!

 

[92Miata]

I have used kalk in my ATO for years. How much I aad to my water varies based on season, but minor changes day to day with evaporation have never cause any issues for me.

I think it largely depends on setup and your house.

During the worst parts of the summer - my AC runs all day - which means there's basically no humidity in the house - and because its a 20 year old hvac system that needs to be replaced - it doesn't keep up - so I have my temp controller running a fan as needed.

So I evap a ton of water in the late summer.

Then the temperature crashes in the fall - all it takes to go from 90 degree days to 40 degree nights is about 3 weeks. And then the heat starts coming on - and the humidifier starts running - so my evap goes way down.

I can go from multiple gallons a day to a couple cups over the course of 3 weeks.

 

[Chlorinated]

I think it largely depends on setup and your house.

During the worst parts of the summer - my AC runs all day - which means there's basically no humidity in the house - and because its a 20 year old hvac system that needs to be replaced - it doesn't keep up - so I have my temp controller running a fan as needed.

So I evap a ton of water in the late summer.

Then the temperature crashes in the fall - all it takes to go from 90 degree days to 40 degree nights is about 3 weeks. And then the heat starts coming on - and the humidifier starts running - so my evap goes way down.

I can go from multiple gallons a day to a couple cups over the course of 3 weeks.

I am in the same boat. Small apartment with poor insulation and cruddy heating. Window AC in the summer. The heating system is so off i use a fan time to time during the winter...im in MA....to keep my temp on point.

So I understand the challenges, but if you test even once a week it is easy to adjust as needed.

 

[92Miata]

I am in the same boat. Small apartment with poor insulation and cruddy heating. Window AC in the summer. The heating system is so off i use a fan time to time during the winter...im in MA....to keep my temp on point.

So I understand the challenges, but if you test even once a week it is easy to adjust as needed.

Oh, it's definitely handleable. I just find it easier to dose a flat amount and leave the TopOff out of the equation.

 

[luisgo]

I mix kalkwasser in my 5 gallon reservoir and dose using a ATO with a magnetic float switch and a Aqualifter pump. A small hole in the lid and rigid tubing that goes to 1" from the bottom to just suck the clear water. I never clean the Aqualifter! The 5 gallons will provide kalk water for +/- five days. In my office 12 gallon cube I use the same but with a timer since I have no sump to use a magnetic float.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hi all,
I've been so excited about my upcoming build that Ive been binge watching BRS's "52 weeks of reefing" series. So much helpful info! One of the strategies suggested in that series is incorporating Kalkwasser into the ATO reservoir, instead of daily dosing of 2-part. This seems like a more hands off, great alternative. My question is, how do you keep the concentration of Kalkwasser in that reservoir consistent. Assuming you refill the reservoir before it's completely empty, if you add the same dose of Kalkwasser you did the time before, the concentration would be higher, no? Better to wait until the reservoir is drained completely? Or empty it between fillings? Just trying to figure out how this looks in practice.
Cheers!

If you are saturating the limewater, then adding the same amount of solids to a smaller volume of new water will just result in residual solids on the bottom (not a problem).

If you are adding less than saturation, then you may want to adjust the amount you add downward if the container is not mostly empty.

Note: you will always get substantial solids to settle out over time.