Adding calcium acetate

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Hi all, can I use calcium acetate and magnesium acetate to boost the calcium and magnesium in my tank and then potassium bicarbonate to keep the PH up?
 
Well, not really. It will massively boost alkalinity when the acetate is metabolized if you use them for any substantial boosts.

I also do not recommend potassium salts for alk additives as potassium will rise too much and bicarbonate lowers pH while it boosts alk.
 
Well, not really. It will massively boost alkalinity when the acetate is metabolized if you use them for any substantial boosts.

I also do not recommend potassium salts for alk additives as potassium will rise too much and bicarbonate lowers pH while it boosts alk.
Ok I see, because I had a bottle of calcium acetate and magnesium acetate in my hand and I wanted to use them to increase the calcium and magnesium in the tank and it seemed inappropriate to use them.
 
Calcium acetate adds twice as much carbon as calcium formate for the same amount of calcium carbonate.

So have a look at the AFR instructions and keep in mind that you should not dose over 0.5x.

The problem with acetate is that it is a huge source of carbon. I can be beneficial in the right direction, or I can ruin your PH if you dose too much.

And potassium bicarbonate is useless for PH boosts; you need hydroxides. Calcium Hydroxide (Limewater) should be the first thing on your mind when you need to boost your PH.

I do not recommend to use acetates as main source of dKH, Mg, but you can use it in 20-30% part to boost bacteria
 
Do all saltwater organisms consume alkalinity causing calcium and magnesium depletion?

Generally yes. Exceptions in a reef tank are rising or falling nitrate (or dosing it) and using a sulfur denitrator.
 

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