New Salifert Test results

[returnofsid]

Well, I must be doing something right!! The calculator tells me I need 18.2 tsp of the peladow (DriZair) (being a chef and hating recipes that call for a whole bunch of tsp instead of fewer tbs, I rounded off to 18 tsp and converted to 6 tbs....lol) I split the 6 tbs into 2 gallon jugs of RO/DI water, gently shook them up to dissolve the pellets, let them sit awhile and then started ONE of them drip dosing into the sump. This morning the jug is still about 1/4 full and I decided to test my Ca again. It's sitting at 400!!! I'm figuring if 3/4 gallon rose the Ca 70 ppm, the rest of the gallon should put me right about where I need to be...aiming for 432.
Later today, I'll add the 1.4 (again being a chef, I'll add 1 1/2 tsp..lol) of baking soda to a 1/2 gallon of RO/DI water and drip it to attempt to get my Alk from 9.3 to 10dkh. Keeping my fingers crossed that the Alk change doesn't lower my pH too much.

 

[scytale]

I put the "recipe" link in my post, Check post #14 in this thread.
(I really WAS trying to agree with Don...DIY is the way to go!)

 

[LakeEd]

Don,

If possible, I would still appreciate any links you have showing where the "DriZair" is okay for use, and the "Prestone Driveway Heat" isn't. I know Randy mentioned both of them in his 2-part article as good to go, but I haven't found anyplace warning me not to use the Driveway Heat, and if this is something inappropriate, I would really like to know.

Thanks!

 

[DonW]

Don,

If possible, I would still appreciate any links you have showing where the "DriZair" is okay for use, and the "Prestone Driveway Heat" isn't. I know Randy mentioned both of them in his 2-part article as good to go, but I haven't found anyplace warning me not to use the Driveway Heat, and if this is something inappropriate, I would really like to know.

Thanks!

I'm still looking for the hard copy of the metals test. Its been about two years since it was posted so its no longer on my pc. If not I'll call the lab maybe they store the test.

Don

 

[returnofsid]

I have read through Randy's recipes several times throughout the past couple weeks and several other articles of his. I do understand how to make the recipes, what I don't understand is quite how to dose them. I also am unclear on a couple other points. If I'm raising my Ca by about 100 ppt but only raising my Alk a lil' bit, it would seem that I wouldn't add equal parts of the 2 parts. The recipe page calls for adding equal parts of each. I'm also unsure of how much to add at a time, unsure if I should drip it or just dump it in....unsure if it should be added my my new saltwater during water changes or just added to top off water or not added to any water but dripped or dumped in the sump. For instance, the calculator told me I needed 6 Tbs of Calcium Chloride but only 1 1/2 tsp of baking soda. These aren't equal amounts at all. Randy's recipe calls for adding equal amounts. Does Randy mean to add equal amounts ONLY if your system is already balanced and this would keep it balanced? If so, I need to balance my system first....which I'm working on. So I still don't know how to add the 1 1/2 tsp of baking soda. Should I dissolve it in a half gallon or so of RO/DI water and drip it into the sump? I do have all the ingredients to create all 3 parts of Randy's recipe and I understand that I should probably go with the first recipe since my pH is under 8.3. At least that's what I'm getting from what Randy writes. Also, I'm unsure of how often to add these mixtures. I know it'll depend on my test readings but how do I interpret the test readings and transfer that to a certain volume of the mixture to add? For instance, say my goal is an alk of 10 dkh and balanced Ca would be about 423....My Ca falls to 380, how much of each solution would I add and how often or over how long of a period? Is this where I'd use the calculator and punch in Randy's recipe for the product I'm using? Ahhh, I think I just answered my own questions....lol. DUH, I just mix up Randy's recipes according to his instructions....then using the Chemistry Calculator, I punch in my actual test results and my desired levels, and then let the calculator know I'm using Randy's recipe and it'll give me all the recommendations I need.

 

[DonW]

In order to dose equal portions you first have to get into balance and this assumes you have a equal consumption rate. My tank is lop sided, meaning I use more ca than alk so if I dosed equal portions my ca would fall. Once you get into balance then try dosing equal portions as a starting point then change as needed. It will involve a little trial and error.

Don

 

[LakeEd]

I'm still looking for the hard copy of the metals test. Its been about two years since it was posted so its no longer on my pc. If not I'll call the lab maybe they store the test.

Don

Thanks Don, you just have me worried with what I'm using for my buffer now, and I am hoping to understand which direction I really need to be going.

 

[returnofsid]

I'm having a lil' trouble getting the baking soda to totally dissolve. I've put 2 1/4 cups into about 3/4 gallon of Ro/DI water and am heating it up while stirring it. Does it have to totally dissolve? I really don't see that happening any time soon...lol.

The rest of it seems pretty straight forward. I'll mix up all 3 parts of the recipe #1. Retest my alk and Ca for now, since I don't have a Mg test yet and dose according to the recommendations of the chemistry calculator.

 

[returnofsid]

Here's the latest.

Last night, I tested Alk and Ca again. Alk was 9.3 dkh and Ca was 410. After testing, I dosed the following...

3 TBS of Randy's recipe Part 2 of recipe 1 for Alk
7 TBS of Part 1 for Ca.

These were the recommendation the chemistry calculator gave me. I dosed by dumping directly into sump.

I just tested Alk and Ca again and here's my latest results...

Alk 9.3 dkh

Ca 400

pH 8.0

I've definitely got my Ca up from where it was but am still not at the targets I'm looking for of Alk at 10 dkh and Ca of about 423. Should I follow the recommendations of the calculator again and dose again? Should I add the recommended quantities to RO/DI water and drip into sump instead of just pouring the measured quantities in?

Oh and the Baking Soda is still not totally dissolved into the gallon of RO/DI water. Since my last post, and BEFORE dosing anything, I added enough RO/DI water to top off the gallon jug with the baking soda so it's a full gallon, as instructed in Randy's recipe. I'm assuming it won't all dissolve and am just using it as is.

 

[DonW]

Dose the full ca dose into the sump away from the return pump. Dose the alk part slowly. Keep following the calculator untill you have consistant #'s and doses.

Don

 

[returnofsid]

Alright, I'll do that!! I'll dose the entire Ca portion into the sump and then drip the alk overnight by mixing the recommended dosage with RO/DI water. Thanks Don!! What about my pH? It's still a lil' low isn't it? Will getting my Alk/Ca in balance take care of the pH for me or should I wait until I get a balance and then look into what needs to be done with pH?

 

[DonW]

Alright, I'll do that!! I'll dose the entire Ca portion into the sump and then drip the alk overnight by mixing the recommended dosage with RO/DI water. Thanks Don!! What about my pH? It's still a lil' low isn't it? Will getting my Alk/Ca in balance take care of the pH for me or should I wait until I get a balance and then look into what needs to be done with pH?

8 is fine. Turn off that darn ph meter, that should fix it. PH is usually only a issue because you have that lcd display.

Don

 

[returnofsid]

LOL you're getting me confused with another post that you're giving advice to. I've been following that one as well. I'm testing pH with a Salifert test kit. Couldn't afford a pH meter if I wanted one...but don't think I could trust something automated like that....lol. I'll stop worrying about my pH though. Thanks!!

 

[DonW]

LOL you're getting me confused with another post that you're giving advice to. I've been following that one as well. I'm testing pH with a Salifert test kit. Couldn't afford a pH meter if I wanted one...but don't think I could trust something automated like that....lol. I'll stop worrying about my pH though. Thanks!!

Once you get the hang of keeping things in balance then you can get the ph up with kalk. For now dont worry about it

Don

 

[returnofsid]

Ahhh got it. Once I get everything in balance and am able to keep it in balance, then I'll drip Kalk to get my ph up and won't it also help in keeping my Ca up? I don't have an corals in this tank yet but once I get my lighting system (shipped out today) and get all my parameters stable, I'll be adding corals (SPS and LPS) I'm assuming that they will need the Ca and I'll need to keep up on it for their needs. I've read that Kalk is the best way to do that through your top off water and then if needed, supplement extra Ca with something like Randy's part 1.

 

[scytale]

but don't think I could trust something automated like that....lol.

Careful...
From what I've read, Don is the absolute master of automation!
(I just came across his power outage post--built his system with so much redundacy--didn't even notice when his controller stopped working! )

I've wondered if maybe he has already found a way to automate his RF postings...
when you see his post count climb to +100K, then beware of "Don-bots" (J/k! )

Don-
We really appreciate all the advice you share with us newbies!
(Despite being the shortest posts, your posts are some of the Most Informative that I've read on this board!)

 

[returnofsid]

LOL @ Don-bots!!! Yes, his info is priceless....as is the info of several others on here who have helped me so much in the past!!!

 

[returnofsid]

Newest test results...getting there!!

Tested at 2:00 pm when I got home from work.

Alk 9.9 dkh 3.54 meg/l
Ca 435

Oh and just to bug Don, my pH is at 8.0 still...lol. At least pH is very consistent so far!! WooHoo. Seems things are going in the right direction.

From what I understand, even if Ca is high, which it's not really in this case...that you can let it go and it'll lower itself as it's used by the system.

 

[tangeray]

Well here is a easy way to stay in good shape. Just pick a alk #, I like 12 but 10 is safer for beginners. Once you pick a alk stick with it.

So with a alk of 10 your balanced ca is around 430 with mg at 1290.
Go here http://reef.diesyst.com/ and book mark this site.
Go to the grocery store and buy a box of baking soda.
Go to HD and get a couple bags of Dri z air. They are small so get two.

Now go home and test your tank. Both ca and alk.
Use the calculator to mix up single doses of ca and alk suppliments. Pick baking soda for alk and pick peladow for ca.
This will tell you exactly how much to add. Mix them individually in rodi water. Dose all the ca. then wait a few hours and slowly add the alk. Now you will be balanced as far as ca and alk goes. Test and dose every few days for a few weeks until you get the hang of it.Then go order a Mg kit and get back to this thread after youve got the mg measurement.

Hope this helps
Don

hi don, based on the above quote, is it still safe to pick an alk 10 even though the ca is a bit high? (480ppm) If my memory serves me right, when Ca drops Alk rises. If that is true, wouldn't be safer to wait till ca drops to the desired level to balance alk?(about 435). my current alk is 8.96 dkh

 

[jsmkmavity]

sounds like your getting there. do you have enough fresh air in the house?