Pharma Kalkwasser Starter Package

Note 1- Due to a delay from our pouch manufacturer, 2lb Pharma Kalkwasser is currently being packaged in a pinch grip style container to ensure it is still available. The pinch grip container will be about half-full, but do not worry the 2 pounds of Kalkwasser will be there. We are hoping to have the pouches back around mid-August.

 

Everything you need to maintain calcium & alkalinity in your reef tank!

BRS Kalkwasser is not your typical calcium hydroxide. It is made from an ultra-pure source that contains extremely low amounts of aluminum and compared to traditional kalkwasser you can actually see the difference. If you are adding Kalk to your ATO reservoir or a reactor, you will find that BRS Kalkwasser mixes faster with fewer impurities, and is more even potent than the others meaning you will not have to use as much, saving money in the long run. 

 

2-Pound Kalkwasser Starter Package Includes 

• 2-Pounds Pharma Kalkwasser
• 1-Gallon Mix Pharma Sodium Bicarbonate
• 1-Gallon Mix Pharma Calcium Chloride
• 1-Gallon Mix Pharma Magnesium Mix for General Adjustments 
• 3 Mixing Jugs – Jug color may vary between translucent and opaque white
• 100mL Measuring Cup
• 100mm Funnel
• 2 Dispensing Pumps

 

The two-pound kits come with everything you will need to get started. The kits include calcium chloride, and sodium bicarbonate (alkalinity), and magnesium to get your reef balanced before using kalkwasser. All you will need to provide are the test kits, mixing jugs, and water. The 2-pound kit is great for reefers just getting started with calcium and alkalinity maintenance. If you have a nano-sized tank or even a larger aquarium with minimal corals, the pre-measured pouches are super easy to mix, requiring no measuring before mixing. 

 

Using Kalkwasser (Calcium Hydroxide)

Kalkwasser is the easiest method to maintain calcium and alkalinity levels in a reef aquarium not to mention low cost. With a few different methods to implement it, if your corals are growing and you need to add calcium and alkalinity, you will more than likely find multiple benefits from using kalkwasser. Being the only way to add calcium and alkalinity from a single solution along with helping elevate the pH of your aquarium to helping purify your ATO water even further, there are plenty of reasons to add kalkwasser to your ATO reservoir or set up a Kalk reactor or drip system. By far the most common application for kalkwasser is by adding it to your tanks top off reservoir and then relying on the auto top off system to deliver small amounts of saturated kalkwasser solution throughout the day. 

 

How to Use Kalkwasser with an ATO System

Step 1. Test and adjust your aquariums calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels using the included BRS Pharma Calcium Chloride, BRS Pharma Sodium Bicarbonate, and BRS Pharma Magnesium. 

Step 2. Start by establishing the proper amount of kalkwasser to mix into your aquariums top off water reservoir. 

• Low Demand – 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of top off water
• Medium Demand – 1 teaspoon per gallon of top off water
• High Demand – up to 1 1/2 teaspoons per gallon of top off water

Step 3. With RODI water fill your top off reservoir & mix in the proper amount of kalkwasser then allow the solution to settle for 30 minutes before using.

DO NOT OVERMIX: Excess mixing and air contact will decrease the potency of kalkwasser.

Step 4. Place your ATO systems pump or intake line is place 1/2″ to 1″ above the base of your reservoir, ensuring only the clear slurry is being dosed. 

Step 5. Activate your ATO and monitor the pH of your aquarium as the kalkwasser solution is being dosed, not exceeding increases of 0.20 pH. Your ATO should be pumping water into a high flow area of your sump or display tank to help prevent precipitation. Adding kalkwasser too fast may result in precipitation rendering it ineffective. 

Step 6. Monitor your aquariums calcium and alkalinity daily, adjusting the strength of the kalkwasser solution in your top off reservoir as necessary. 

 

Refilling The Reservoir

Simply refill your container with fresh RODI water and add the proper amount of kalkwasser per gallon of new RODI water and mix. It is recommended to clean your ATO reservoir regularly, though you do not have to every time you replenish your ATO container.

Note: We highly suggest using a pH controller to prevent against pH spikes and overdosing. 

 

Maximum Dosage – 1 1/2 teaspoons per gallon of top off water

One of the limitations of kalkwasser is its 1 1/2 tsp. per gallon saturation point. Anything more than that will simply fall to the bottom of your reservoir and become essentially useless. If your aquarium is requiring more calcium and alkalinity than what kalkwasser can keep up with there are a few solutions; 

• Start 2-part dosing
• Increase your aquariums evaporation rate with fans
• Vinegar method (experts only)

 

Detailed Kalkwasser Instructions

 

How Does Kalkwasser Work?

Kalkwasser or Calcium Hydroxide Ca(OH)₂ when mixed with fresh RODI water contains a perfect balance of alkalinity and calcium ions that can be added to your aquarium to help supplement what your corals consume when they grow. It is pretty easy to see where the calcium is derived from but the alkalinity can be a little more difficult to see, and when Kalkwasser is added to your saltwater tank a simple reaction takes place converting the hydroxide into available bicarbonate ions. Essentially the CO₂ in your water and atmosphere will react with the hydroxide ions creating bicarbonate ions and increasing your tank’s pH, due to less available carbon dioxide.

Ca(OH)₂ = Kalkwasser

OH^– + CO₂ = HCO₃ = Bicarbonate

OH^– + HCO₃ = CO₃^— + H20 = Carbonate + Pure Water