kalk re-use

[Macca]

Does anybody reuse their kalk precipitant that settles at the bottom of a settled mix? Or do they discard and do a fresh mix??

Just wondered as I have read you can re-use the precipitant. :confused:

James

[wayne]

James i carry on using it until the ph drops below 12, then i just top it up so to speak to keep it constant, after a few weeks i empty it all out and start fresh again, i knew someone who puts a 3kg labpak bucket into a larger bucket, fills it with RO and gives it a good stir every night and top it off with RO when needed, he said it lasted months at a time....not sure with that one though.

[Macca]

Thanks wayne, I have read also when the colour goes grey it is time to replace but have never re-used the settlement before and was wary.

James

[subz88]

Depends on how you make your kalk mix. When I used the 2ltr plastic bottle method, I dropped two teaspoons of kalk into the bottle, added a litre of water and a drop of white vinegar, then shook to mix. Finally I topped up the bottle and let it settle for half an hour before setting up a slow drip siphon with airline. I found that I could reuse the kalk sediment for one more mix using this method, after that it looked grey and any sediment had to be disgarded.

With a ratz kalkstirrer I add 20 teaspoons at a time, and top up with more powder when it starts to look sparse (every 2 weeks with my current dosing regime). Once a month the powder turns into a sludge and has to be completely rinsed out, at this point the pH of the effluent is low as pointed out by wayne.

HTH :)

[thereefshop]

james how far do u put the air line down the bottle? and how much water does the mix you use top up?

[Macca]

james how far do u put the air line down the bottle? 1/2 - 3/4 down.



and how much water does the mix you use top up? Around 300 gallon

James

[Chris, Reef Ranch]

Chuck it away.

Chris

[Macca]

Chris, I have just read an article on it also stating it can seriously affect your system if reused regarding PH etc. So I will not be trying to save pennys on this occasion.

James

[Hairy Monster]

I tend to use mine for two mixes in two 5 gal salt buckets, then i clean it all out and start a new load, its cheap enough from labpak so not worth trying to thin it out to much

[Blue]

Like you say, it's cheap enough. I use it once then chuck it.

[MR Teee]

Chris, I have just read an article on it also stating it can seriously affect your system if reused regarding PH etc. So I will not be trying to save pennys on this occasion.

James, can you put a link up to the article. I was under the impression that the 'sediment' was just unused kalk, as the solution had reached saturation.

I've never chucked any of the sludge away and have not seen a negative effect on PH.