Low Alk problem
- Thread starter ronj
- Start date
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patmayo
05 GTO Speed Demon
You can use baking soda to raise your alk. You should also test for calcium and monitor your ph.
Here is a calculator to help.
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html
I hope this helps. I don't think low alk and salinity are necessarily connected. You do need to have your salinity at about 1.026 sg. This next link will show you what your parameters should be at.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
As well you can test your make up water and add alk and calk should you need to. It's what I do. I make up 44 gallons of saltwater at a time.
Regards,
Pat
Here is a calculator to help.
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html
I hope this helps. I don't think low alk and salinity are necessarily connected. You do need to have your salinity at about 1.026 sg. This next link will show you what your parameters should be at.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
As well you can test your make up water and add alk and calk should you need to. It's what I do. I make up 44 gallons of saltwater at a time.
Regards,
Pat
Last edited:
DonW
R.I.P.
If they are just for fish I wouldnt worry about it.
Don
Don
Detri
Well-known member
Kent superbuffer is great for establishing constant levels dkh/Alk. I have never tried Baking Soda though. I hear it works great though.
patmayo
05 GTO Speed Demon
With a low ph I would not recommend baking soda. It has a tendancy to lower ph although it does tend to recover after a time. If you want to save money you can bake the baking soda at 300 degrees for 1 hour and then it will have a tendency to raise alkalinity.
There is more informtion here.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
But has stated previously if it's fish only I would not worry too much. Good Luck!!
Regards,
Pat
There is more informtion here.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
But has stated previously if it's fish only I would not worry too much. Good Luck!!
Regards,
Pat
Last edited:
Sherman
Has Met Willis
What is your tank's salinity?
What brand of salt are you using?
Oceanic salt is notoriously low in buffer, though high in calcium. Instant Ocean is the exact inverse. How much buffer are you adding daily? Without any corals, I'm surprised you need to add anything, which is why I'm leaning toward salt brand and salinity levels.
What brand of salt are you using?
Oceanic salt is notoriously low in buffer, though high in calcium. Instant Ocean is the exact inverse. How much buffer are you adding daily? Without any corals, I'm surprised you need to add anything, which is why I'm leaning toward salt brand and salinity levels.
Kensn
Well-known member
steve-s
Well-known member
Keep using the Kent Superbuffer. Add it to the top off water and the QT tank if needed. As long as your doing water changes, you'll be diluting the chemistry due to the hyposaline environment.
It would actually be easier on you if the new SW used for the water changes was tested/corrected for alk/pH before using in the QT. You'll end up with less need for buffer additions directly in the QT. As mentioned above do not use baking soda.
Cheers
Steve
It would actually be easier on you if the new SW used for the water changes was tested/corrected for alk/pH before using in the QT. You'll end up with less need for buffer additions directly in the QT. As mentioned above do not use baking soda.
Cheers
Steve
