Re: Pickling Lime   10/20/07
I've asked Anthony his thoughts on the use of pickling lime as I was interested in using it.
Jeremy from URI asked me about this on his reply to my query on T5 lamps. Thought you may want to post this in the dailies, if Anthony wouldn't mind of course.
Hi Anthony,
Know you are a busy boy but wondered if you had time to answer a question. I'd like to try using Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime. Should this be treated the same as Kalkwasser, does it have to be dripped into the tank. I'm also wondering what the mix ratio is per gallon of water. I'm thinking about two tablespoons...?
Regards,
James (Salty Dog)
Heya, James
(answering from a hotel in Madrid... yes, keeping busy :))
Many folks use pickling lime and have no problems... some do... all can in time. The issue is the grade of the reagent. Its low and has impurities. It can NOT be used for Kalk slurries, but it can be used better (but still not great) as Kalkwasser if you decant the supersaturated solution and never admit precip to the tank.
In the big picture... I am an outspoken critic against using low grade reagents of anything in our aquariums. For the time and money we spend on our aquariums, the value of our creatures, etc... it makes no sense to me to save a few dollars on a supplement (versus buying Seachem or lab grad reagents) for a system that is worth thousands if not priceless lives of your captives).
Moreover... algae issues are bad enough in well run tanks. No need to burden the challenge even more with impure low grade reagents.
Kindly, Anth