dosing question

[1guydude]

Tested my tank for 1st time in a long time lol.
I wanted to see my alk or dkh level and check my calcium as well.


I dose with seachem 2nd part and aquavitro cal. I need to buy the aquavitro alk and mag.

My calcium is at 460ppm
My dkh testes at 7

Can I just dose the 2nd part this next week and not my calcium to see if it bumps my alk up or will it just stay steady with my hands on regime. I'd like to see my alk between 8-10
Is it better constant?
Looking for tips or advice I guess.
Thxs
D

 

[Boomer]

Yes, you can but do not waste the two part, get some Arm & Hammer Baking Soda.

1.2 teaspoons ( slightly heaping teaspoon) will raise the Alk 1 dKH / 50 gal of water ( NOT tank size gals )

 

[1guydude]

What do u mean wasting it? That's wat its fo right?
Ur saying baking soda is just as good lol?
:?
D

 

[1guydude]

I could always under shoot on the baking soda and test the next day.
I'm gonna do alk and cal tests tomorrow too.

Edit: I dosed last night.
I dosed more alk (seachem 2nd) this afternoon before this...after the tests.
D

 

[Boomer]

Some Two part Alk are not just baking soda but a mixture of buffers, Carb, Bicarb and Borate. And many buffers are mostly BS. Two parts are also usually balanced with the Alk and Ca++. You are not going to be adding any Calcium. Two parts, many of them, are designed to be added at the same time. Many DIY 2-parts are just Calcium chloride and BS. Some 2-part Alk are not BS at all but just Soda Ash, Sodium carbonate. If one is dealing with just a low Alk issue it is often best to just add BS, which raises the Alk with little effect on pH. If it is more of a pH and Alk issue then a combo of the two or just Soda Ash. One needs to be careful with Soda Ash, as 1 teaspoon of Soda Ash is about qual to 2 teaspoons of BS. Since many often suffer from both, pH and Alk, many go the Soda Ash route. Soda Ash, is nothing more than baked ( in a oven) BS, which coverts the BS to Soda Ash. The pH of SA is also higher, ie, 8.3 vs 11.5 both @ 0.1N concentration.

 

[Boomer]

I forgot, the only real sound reason to have a higher Alk than NSW, is hard corals grow faster. The reason of being to help pH is about 99 % BS. Because 99 % of all pH issues are excessive CO2. I don't care what your Alk is, 5, 7, 11 dKH. If the CO2 increases the pH will fall PERIOD. You see this all the time, people adding buffer to raise the pH, when it is really a CO2 issue. The buffer makes the Alk and pH go up, CO2 still comes into the tank from room air CO2, the pH drops, the Alk is now higher from adding the buffer, you repeat the same, the same happens, like a broken record and now your pH is still low and the Alk is through the roof.

 

[1guydude]

Hmmm best check my ph tomorrow too.
Shoulda known that sry.
And TANK U boomer.
D

 

[TJL]

Devin, what is your MG levels ??? I find that dosing Mg when low also increases Cal/Alk levels. I'm just a week plus into using my SWC 3-part Dosing pump with Dow Flake for #1 Calcium, Arm & Hammer BS for #2 Alk and a mix of Magnesium Chloride and Sulfate for #3 Mg. I will do some testing today to see where levels are then adjust if necessary.

Cheers, Todd

 

[HUNTER01975]

wish i saw this thread yesrterday..

So question I use seachem reef salt which run low alk out of the bucket. Is it better to bump the alk threw the ato? or by rasing it in my water changes before new water goes into the tank?

Am just starting to dosing just baking soda.. and trying to figure out the best way.

thanks

sorry to jump on your thread D.

 

[Boomer]

Todd

I find that dosing Mg when low also increases Cal/Alk levels

I find that dosing Mg when low also helps stop Cal/Alk levels from falling.

Dosing Mg can not raise Alk or Ca. Normal Mg levels helps inhibit the precip of Calcium carbonate, as it acts as a "surface poison", slowing down the rate of precip of Calcium carbonate.

 

[Boomer]

Hunter

It is always best to add it to the salt.

What do you mean low out of the bucket ? SeaChem Reef Salt should be around 10 dKH

You do not add water to dry salt do when mixing do you ?

 

[HUNTER01975]

Boomer

My bucket is test at 10 but when in the tank it drops to 7

I have a 18 gallon tote that I mix my water change water in. I put 15 gallons in and then add salt and heat and let it mix via mj400

my test are
cal@480
[email protected]
mag no test kit. but last tested a month ago it was @1380 i think.. but will try and get it test this weekend.

salinty is 35ppm

 

[senji]

how i slow down the co2 is a soda lime scrubber/filter hooked inline with the skimmer air intake. when soda lime turns purple i replace it. works wonders.

 

[Boomer]

Yes, senji those work fine but many don't want to play with them. Granular Kalk dose the same thing, is easier to hook up but not as cost effecient as SL.

 

[Boomer]

HuHunter

That drop is more than likely from that high Alk and Calcium.

 

[1guydude]

I don't have the ph or mag tests....
Thought I did.

I was under the.impression if my alk and cal where in level than my mag would b too.
Ill get more tests and prob aquavitro mag and alk.