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  1. C

    Low Ph

    If you think it is CO2, try turning your skimmer off for a while to reduce gas exchange. Also might consider turning down turnover rate from return pump/powerheads etc. If this causes an improvement then CO2 may be the culprit. Very strange about Ca going up with no addition though. The...
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    Warning: Commercial pH Calibration Buffers can be way off!

    No, just pH meters/monitors in general. Not saying they don't work. I've got them in all my laboratories in skads and we use them all the time. One is really nice and cost about 1500$. It does automatic temperature compensation, automatically calibrates itself, and has several different...
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    Warning: Commercial pH Calibration Buffers can be way off!

    I'll go one better here. I suggest not even to use electronic pH meters. They are generally a PITA. To properly care for a pH electrode it needs to be soaked in a strong solution of KCl to keep the electrode in good shape. Furthermore, calibrations should be two point and temperature...
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    Magnesium

    No drawback. In fact you could just pour it directly into your sump if you wanted to in dry form. May not be the most elegant solution but it would work. Just be sure to do it over a few days or weeks so you don't raise salinity too far too fast. Some animals are more sensitive to changes in...
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    Magnesium

    Don, I do not believe it is really a "formula" per say. Notice that the balanced "line" is indeed a straight line. This means it is a simple ratio between Calcium and Alkalinity. The "balanced" part of it comes from the ratio found to be present in natural sea water. Notice how the line...
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    ToeCutter's Reef Chemistry Visual Aid

    If you are not supplementing with Mg, I wouldn't worry about it. Do you keep a log of your params? If not, I would advise you to jot them down in a notebook evertime you measure with the date. You will notice some fluctuations. Any single reading is not very meaningful. It is only when you...
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    Magnesium

    No problems mike. I accidentally failed to read the entire thread and based a response only after reading the first page... Here is my response...however, it apprears that a useful adjustment was discovered for the tank...however, I will post my reply to take with a grain of salt...Collin...
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    Magnesium

    Edited...for a mistake...C
  9. C

    Korallin Az-no3 And Po4 Minus

    Some additives may be occasionally necessary. However, I would not suggest an additive like that. If you are having a nitrate problem, I would suggest more LR and/or less fish. Additives can be problematical. There is always some company trying to sell snake oil. I personally try to avoid...
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    ToeCutter's Reef Chemistry Visual Aid

    Sorry Steve, I just returned from a camping trip. I agree with Boomer. Ca and Alk will drop over time as we all know. The thing to do in my opinion is to slowly add Ca via CaCl2 or some Ca part of a two part to keep it around 420. Just every other week or so, depending on Ca demand, top off...
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    ToeCutter's Reef Chemistry Visual Aid

    It is nice...I bookmarked it too...Collin
  12. C

    Salt

    I think most over the counter salts are fine. Yes they do contain higher levels of some metals and other ingredients but their is no evidence I have seen that these are deletarious. I use marine environment 2 part from aquacraft via internet. I like this salt and believe it is quite good. I...
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    Top off water parameters

    Saturated Kalk uses about 2 teaspoons/gallon. However, many tanks should not drip this amount full time as the demand of the tank does not warrent it and the kalk levels will rise. kalk should be added on an "as needed" basis. One must have a feel of the demand to understand how frequently to...
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    Top off water parameters

    I don't add anything to my top off water except Kalk as needed. Just suggest to put in pure RO/DI. It can be beneficial to add the Kalk directly to the top off rather than do it in a separate container. The Kalk will help precipitate Phosphorous so it won't get into your tank....Collin
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    Baking Soda in the Aquarium

    Boomer, Thank you for the compliment. I am learning more about saltwater chemistry than I ever knew before (or forgot really) from the moderating. I do enjoy it. I appreciate your input and corrections. Most of my chemistry books are at work and so I get limited time to access them for...
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    Analytical Grade Additives

    You can't go wrong with purity. However, in my opinion, the different is not worth the extra effort, much less the additional cost. I buy baking soda (very seldom need) and pickling lime. The impurities in these additives are largely water soluble and non-toxic. The effect of the impurities...
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    Baking Soda in the Aquarium

    Sorry it has taken so long to get back. Flu struck my house, getting everyone. See comments below: Well, in the strict sense of the definition of alkalinity you are correct. The total amount of buffer, and thus the total alkalinity that is titrateable, will not change quickly and it will...
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    Baking Soda in the Aquarium

    I can see you are going to keep me on my toes here! However, I'm not sure you are correct. I will think more on it. However, I am thinking that in the case of CO2 entering the system that it will react with H2O and form more -HCO3 which will affect alk in addition to whatever is added via...
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    Baking Soda in the Aquarium

    Do you mean in the aquarium or in a storage container. If you mean storage container and it is sealed, I would expect it to stay just fine for a couple weeks or longer. I would suggest to let the mixture sit on the counter for overnight and then seal it and keep it in refrigerator. These...
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    Baking Soda in the Aquarium

    PS, I edited my original post to strike Baking Powder and replace with Washing Soda to clean up the bungle. Also added some detailed calculations regarding the two into an aquarium and the expected effect for any that are interested. Please note that even if adding the APPROPRIATE amount of...
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