I over shot my Alk...

[King_Neptune]

My first experiment of adjusting the hardness prior to water change hit a rough spot. Its a 20 gal container, no heater, with a power head keeping it moving.

If I understand right, DKH can drop a couple points a day if I let it sit.
So give it a few days, and it should test at around 9 correct?
9 is my goal.

 

[Ichthys]

what are you using

What are you using to buffer Alkalinity? I use a 2 part Warner Marine A and B for Calc and Alk but my Calc is always good while my Alk is always low.. it is usually round 7dKh and i think its supposed to be 9-14? I was wondering what you use to just raise Alk without effecting Calc or PH.

 

[King_Neptune]

I used this stuff:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/two-part-calcium-and-alkalinity-solution/two-part-calcium-and-alkalinity-total-package-large-1.html

Basically its bulk reef supplies 2 part kit. Pretty much high quality baking soda.

 

[King_Neptune]

And I havent tested the Calcium yet. It was 470 last night, I wanted to balance the ALK then tackle the Calcium and Magnesium.
MG was 1100 if I remember right. PH was 8.2 before I overshot the ALK, not sure what it is. Ill test in the morning.

 

[Ichthys]

2 part

From what i have read the two part products for calc and alk are only useable once you are in balance to stay in balance, you have to use other buffers to get in the right PH/Calc/Alk balance to begin with.

But im a noob, not an expert. Have read some of the tech faqs on the subject over at WWM and they make my brain hurt..

 

[King_Neptune]

they are meant to raise the levels.
Ill just add an airstone and force the KH down.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

What reasons make you want to dose the tank?
I have found, more tanks get dosed than is really necessary.

My favorite two rules in this hobby:

1. Keep it simple
2. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Maintaining Marine aquariums since the 70s

 

[DonW]

I assume this thread is based on your other thread about adjusting fresh salt water mix. Yes you can and should balance your new water prior to a water change. Your ca was 470 and the alk and mg was low so you would balance to the ca.
You need to be using the reef calculator to adjust the mix. Enter the volume and the calculator will do the rest. Since you over shot the alk you will have to just add more water and make the batch bigger. You can use seltzer to lower alk but that is probably a little more advanced and drawn out for a water change.

When you get a new bucket of salt. Make a small batch then test and add until you have a formula then apply that formula to larger batches for the remainder of the bucket. You can use volume or dry weight. Dry weight is more accurate but if you pre mix diy two part then volume will work.

Don

 

[DonW]

From what i have read the two part products for calc and alk are only useable once you are in balance to stay in balance, you have to use other buffers to get in the right PH/Calc/Alk balance to begin with.

But im a noob, not an expert. Have read some of the tech faqs on the subject over at WWM and they make my brain hurt..

No its just two parts. Adjust however is needed.

Don

 

[DonW]

they are meant to raise the levels.
Ill just add an airstone and force the KH down.

Nope not going to work your thinking ph.

Don

 

[DonW]

What are you using to buffer Alkalinity? I use a 2 part Warner Marine A and B for Calc and Alk but my Calc is always good while my Alk is always low.. it is usually round 7dKh and i think its supposed to be 9-14? I was wondering what you use to just raise Alk without effecting Calc or PH.

Baking soda. Anything will affect ph but it will stabilize so dose slow.

Don

 

[King_Neptune]

What reasons make you want to dose the tank?
I have found, more tanks get dosed than is really necessary.

My favorite two rules in this hobby:

1. Keep it simple
2. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Maintaining Marine aquariums since the 70s

It was broke, last week I had:
1050mg
470 ca
6.5 dkh

I'm going to be manually adjusting it to optimal from now on.
I dont mind the extra bit of effort to make sure they are happy.
Till now, I would mix my water and dump it in, I have healthy corals, with the occasional loss. But slow growth, under optimal conditions that should explode now.
Im shooting for:
1300mg
420ca
9dkh

 

[King_Neptune]

Nope not going to work your thinking ph.

Don

thx don.
What about time?
would that work?

I suppose 11 dkh isn't that critical, my tank itself is 8dkh, and I would be putting 40g into a 160g system. That alone should bring it down. Ill just stop raising the tank. I was hoping to have the up coming WC match the tank. Ill have to use some "Kentucky windage" to chase the bullseye.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

It was broke, last week I had:
1050mg
470 ca
6.5 dkh

I'm going to be manually adjusting it to optimal from now on.
I dont mind the extra bit of effort to make sure they are happy.
Till now, I would mix my water and dump it in, I have healthy corals, with the occasional loss. But slow growth, under optimal conditions that should explode now.
Im shooting for:
1300mg
420ca
9dkh

I wonder what got it out of whack, other than what came out of the salt pail?

You appear to know what you are doing.
I just want to ensure others understand one doesn't need the extras unless they have a tank so packed with corals it is depleting minerals faster than water changes accommodate.

Have seen more hobbiests mess up WITH dosing, than by failing to.

 

[King_Neptune]

I wonder what got it out of whack, other than what came out of the salt pail?

You got me, I have never bothered with dosing or testing. Ive always gone with what was in the pail. But this last batch of reef crystals was just sour. I think Ill go with the purple bucket from now on, that way I have a consistant batch every time.