Kalkwasser

What does Kalkwasser mean?

Kalkwasser (German for "lime water") is a saturated calcium hydroxide solution used to maintain calcium + alkalinity in reef tanks via slow drip-dosing. Each 1 mL of saturated kalk contributes both Ca and bicarbonate to the system.

How is Kalkwasser used in aquariums?

Mix 1-2 teaspoons of Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime per gallon of RODI water; let settle, drip the clear top water at a rate matching evaporation. Auto-top-off (ATO) systems often dose kalk in place of plain RODI for two-in-one calcium + alk maintenance plus stable salinity.

How Kalkwasser fits the bigger picture

Understanding Kalkwasser matters because it's connected to broader husbandry decisions: water chemistry is the foundation of every other aquarium parameter - chemistry mistakes show up months later as livestock loss.

Browse the Fast Aquatics care library for full husbandry tutorials covering Kalkwasser in context.

Frequently asked questions

What does Kalkwasser mean in fishkeeping?

Kalkwasser (German for "lime water") is a saturated calcium hydroxide solution used to maintain calcium + alkalinity in reef tanks via slow drip-dosing. Each 1 mL of saturated kalk contributes both Ca and bicarbonate to the system. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime per gallon of RODI water; let settle, drip the clear top water at a rate matching evaporation.