[Need to get something for this, I have some old kalk, but have heard good things about the 2 parts, I was going to give one a try. Ca was 400 and Alk is down around 1.75 meq/l]
[I switched to DIY 2 part about 9 months ago and will never drip kalk again. My ph stayed way to high with kalk. Now my CA stays at 420-450 and ALK at 3.8-4.0.
[I started out by taking initial levels of ca and alk. then I added like a 1/4 cup of each, less if your tank is smaller. I add alk part in the am and calc part in the pm. Then I just monitor my consumption by sampling every 3 days til I got the amount needed. For me 1/4-1/2 cup daily kepp the levels I needed.
[Ya know I don't think I even answered you question. What I do is just add it(alk part) to the tank all at once(1/4 cup daily). If I get too much precipitation I'll divide it up. Calc part all at once in tank/sump(1/4 cup daily)
[Jeff, are you dissolving the chemical in a cup of RO water, then pouring that in your tank slowly over a period of 20 to 30 seconds in a spot of higher flow? If not, you might consider it.]
I mix it up a gallon at a time per the instructions in the link. I have been adding it slower to help prevent precip. I never thought about diluting it even more with some ro/di then adding. I will try that to see if it helps. Sometimes I add 1/2 required in am and the other 1/2 in pm if I don't have time to add it slower before I leave in the morning.
[Ya for a tank bigger than about 55 commercial 2 part gets expensive real fast! But I agree it is much easier to use and works well. The homemade stuff keeps the cost reasonable.
If your pH is cronically low though kalk is the way to go.
I run a calcium reactor so I don't mess with any of it anymore! Behind the skimmer that is the next piece of equipment I will never go without again!]
[Can I answer both? I use limewater in my auto top off and then every couple of weeks to a month I add some of one or the other or both of the 2 part to keep my levels up.
If you cannot find the dowflake, which I doubt here in the DFW area you can use the stuff they use to add calcium to pools (anhydrous calcium chloride). It is the same thing as tubro calcium. I do not remember the name but if read the attachment it will tell you how to use it instead of the dowflake. I beleive it says use 20% less of the anhydrous calcium chloride. You can get it at Leslie's pool supply. I think 8 pounds is about $5.]
[Yes, homemade is the only way to do this without going broke. I use the same Calcium as Salt does. Go to Pool store and ask for Calcium. I also bake regular baking soda for Alk part. Until I Can get a Calc Reactor this is the way to go for me. I hated dripping Kalk, either then line got clogged and none dripped or the opposite and it all went in. Just a pain.
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