Does anyone buffer their topoff water?

[Reefbound]

Im still having a low alk problem even after dosing for three weeks. I was wondering if its a good idea if I dosed my ATO system to the levels I want?
Right now the tests go like this;

Alk-2.63 meq/l ,started at 1.93 I believe
Mag- 1280 was 1380
Calcium- 420 was 490
Ph- 8.0 was 7.4


what would be good to use? or could i use the Two part solution to do this?
This is what im using to dose...

 

[DonW]

Just dose your two part to get it where you want it. With those numbers I'd do some bigger water changes with balanced fresh SW to get it back on track then dose two part to keep it there.

Don

 

[Skimmy]

i always add the tanks weekly dose of buffer to the top off water, that way both top off and tank are taken care of,
otherwise if your using purified ro/di water for top off, it tends to dilute/decrease the levels of buffer in the system

 

[DonW]

i always add the tanks weekly dose of buffer to the top off water, that way both top off and tank are taken care of,
otherwise if your using purified ro/di water for top off, it tends to dilute/decrease the levels of buffer in the system

ATO with rodi water makes no difference. Unless your evap is very stable, exactly the same day to day your going to scew the balance. Granted you can fix it but just dosing the tank will eliminate the need.

Don

 

[krisfal]

i always add the tanks weekly dose of buffer to the top off water, that way both top off and tank are taken care of,
otherwise if your using purified ro/di water for top off, it tends to dilute/decrease the levels of buffer in the system

I have been wondering if I could do this. So are you saying that you are adding a two part solution into the top off reservoir?

 

[DonW]

I have been wondering if I could do this. So are you saying that you are adding a two part solution into the top off

You cannot add two part to your ato. You can add the alk portion only. But it will scew your chemistry.

Don

 

[Reeferdude]

Adding buffer to the top off water lessens the change of the display tanks water chemistry as opposed to adding something directly to the tank. It balances the buffering agent, tank water/top off water, I think is what skimer's saying...

 

[mmkeeper]

If you are having your alk drop faster than ca while using 2 part system add more alk than ca.

 

[krisfal]

Thanks Don, someday I am hoping to be more automated as my job makes it difficult to be diligent in dosing the tank regularly. I travel frequently with work and I do not feel it is fair on my tanks sitters to have to learn all about testing and calculating the needs of the tank. It seems like everytime I get the tank to the levels I want I end up having to go out of town for a week and I just have the sitters use the two part at a real conservative level and when I get back I end up having to work to get the levels back up. I have no pending trips at this time so hopefully I have time to stabilize the system and get a better understanding of the daily needs of the two part so I can feel confident in giving dosing instructions to the tank sitters that will maintain the levels.

 

[apollothesun]

get a calcium reactor imo

 

[DonW]

Adding buffer to the top off water lessens the change of the display tanks water chemistry as opposed to adding something directly to the tank. It balances the buffering agent, tank water/top off water, I think is what skimer's saying...

It will accomplish exactly the same thing as adding it to the display but will split the dose into many smaller diluted doses. The only problem is your evap must be the same from day to day to get the required dose. If its off to the low side you can fix this at the end of the week by adjusting the tank. If its off to the high side then youve created the balancing act issues that you want to avoid. If there is a high alk demand your always going to be better off just dosing the tank.

Don

 

[DonW]

Thanks Don, someday I am hoping to be more automated as my job makes it difficult to be diligent in dosing the tank regularly. I travel frequently with work and I do not feel it is fair on my tanks sitters to have to learn all about testing and calculating the needs of the tank. It seems like everytime I get the tank to the levels I want I end up having to go out of town for a week and I just have the sitters use the two part at a real conservative level and when I get back I end up having to work to get the levels back up. I have no pending trips at this time so hopefully I have time to stabilize the system and get a better understanding of the daily needs of the two part so I can feel confident in giving dosing instructions to the tank sitters that will maintain the levels.

If you chart your tanks demand its so much easier. The dosing will be a simple task and be the same from day today. It will change a very small amount from month to month but thats about it. Even your tank sitters will be able to dose and if you get a couple big syringes they will be able to dose exact amounts with ease.

Don

 

[DonW]

get a calcium reactor imo

calcium reactor are not the end all answer to dosing. Most tanks do not consume in a balance manor. If your looking for very stable parameters then there will still be a dosing regimine.

Don

 

[Reefbound]

wow,Thanks for the replies everyone... seems Im not the only one with questions.
Don, I have been doing 2 20 gallon changes a week with balanced water and its seems as though im not gaining on the elusive 4.00meq/l. I like that my Ph is up and the calcium has droped below 500.
Im doing 1ml per gallon which = 140ml each day I dose... should I increase slightly to get there?

 

[Reeferdude]

It will accomplish exactly the same thing as adding it to the display but will split the dose into many smaller diluted doses.

Don

That's the same thing?One large single dose as opposed to, as you put it "smaller diluted doses"

BTW. My first post was an attempt to explain what Skimer meant not get into a debate...

 

[DonW]

wow,Thanks for the replies everyone... seems Im not the only one with questions.
Don, I have been doing 2 20 gallon changes a week with balanced water and its seems as though im not gaining on the elusive 4.00meq/l. I like that my Ph is up and the calcium has droped below 500.
Im doing 1ml per gallon which = 140ml each day I dose... should I increase slightly to get there?

What salt are you using? Why are you wanting to push alk up to 11.2 dkh?

Don

 

[Reeferdude]

"...calcium has dropped below 500". That's pretty high IMO.

 

[Reefbound]

What salt are you using? Why are you wanting to push alk up to 11.2 dkh?

Don

I just reread my original post and I messed up the Alk numbers... I just retested and my Alk is 1.97meq/l and I want to get to 2.97 which would be about 8.3dkh but it seems as though its not moving. Im using Oceanic salts.

"...calcium has dropped below 500". That's pretty high IMO.

thats what is was its now 420...

 

[DonW]

I just reread my original post and I messed up the Alk numbers... I just retested and my Alk is 1.97meq/l and I want to get to 2.97 which would be about 8.3dkh but it seems as though its not moving. Im using Oceanic salts.

thats what is was its now 420...

Your number are not making sense for that salt. Lets looks at the salt mix first.

After you mix up the oceanic and get it balanced what are those numbers?

Don

 

[Reefbound]

Your number are not making sense for that salt. Lets looks at the salt mix first.

After you mix up the oceanic and get it balanced what are those numbers?

Don

Im starting a new batch now as I write this... I will let it mix overnite and I will post numbers after mixing, I didnt write down the numbers from the last mix. I remember the calcium was at 480.