Alk is Low

[mkereefer]

I have this 30 gallon innovative marine tank and had it running for awhile just starting putting new stuff in it and noticed parameters are kinda low. What can I do to fix them? I have gsp, a tailspot goby and a chalk baslett in the tank.

Alk-5.4
Magnisium-1380
Calcium-400
Phosphates-0
Nitrates-0

 

[shakacuz]

you can buy liquids or powders to dose the needed amount to get them where you need them. salt mixes also provide some help to this and with water changes can increase or decrease parameters based on certain ratios(math)

what are you using to test your water?

 

[mkereefer]

you can buy liquids or powders to dose the needed amount to get them where you need them. salt mixes also provide some help to this and with water changes can increase or decrease parameters based on certain ratios(math)

what are you using to test your water?

i have salifert and hanna test kits

 

[Pico bam]

What salt mix are you using?
I'd stick to water changes for now to get levels up. Also look into dosing/additives for the future.

 

[GoVols]

i have salifert and hanna test kits

Those are good kits.

Just dose up your alk about 1 full ppm per day. Need to go slow for your livestock, also if you overdose your ions will stick together with your cal and alk dropping and locked up, due to precipitation.

 

[mkereefer]

Those are good kits.

Just dose up your alk about 1 full ppm per day. Need to go slow for your livestock, also if you overdose your ions will stick together with your cal and alk dropping and locked up, due to precipitation.

what should i use to dose

 

[GoVols]

what should i use to dose

I just use SeaChem ”Reef Builder“ powder, do not get that Seachem “Buffer”, it contains borate and will knock your test kits out of whack.

Here’s a dosing calculator, for the product of your choice.

Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

[mkereefer]

I just use SeaChem ”Reef Builder“ powder, do not get that Seachem “Buffer”, it contains borate and will knock your test kits out of whack.

Here’s a dosing calculator, for the product of your choice.

Reef Chemistry Calculator

alright i was using Seachem Reef Fusion 1 and 2

 

[GoVols]

alright i was using Seachem Reef Fusion 1 and 2

Used that two part for years.

I think Fusion 2 is the alk???, if so, follow the calculator’s lead

 

[mkereefer]

Used that two part for years.

I think Fusion 2 is the alk???, if so, follow the calculator’s lead

yes fusion 2 us alk and 1 is calc

 

[PatW]

Hmm Alk of 5.4 is pretty low. You might want to get it checked by the LFS.

Assuming you are right, for increasing ALK you can go right over the Reef Chemistry and Randy has some DIY recipes. I think one for ALK uses Baking Soda (which is really easy to get ahold of),

For my dosing, I use Bulk Reef Supply’s 2 part (which follows one of Randy’s recipes). Two part is actually 3 part one each for Calcium (calcium chloride), one for ALK (soda ash) and one for Magnesium (which is 2 chemicals added together). I dose 2 part but I have not fooled with the Mg component because water changes keep Mg stable in my system. BRS also has a reef calculator which tells you how much to dose to hit a desired target.

 

[mkereefer]

Hmm Alk of 5.4 is pretty low. You might want to get it checked by the LFS.

Assuming you are right, for increasing ALK you can go right over the Reef Chemistry and Randy has some DIY recipes. I think one for ALK uses Baking Soda (which is really easy to get ahold of),

For my dosing, I use Bulk Reef Supply’s 2 part (which follows one of Randy’s recipes). Two part is actually 3 part one each for Calcium (calcium chloride), one for ALK (soda ash) and one for Magnesium (which is 2 chemicals added together). I dose 2 part but I have not fooled with the Mg component because water changes keep Mg stable in my system. BRS also has a reef calculator which tells you how much to dose to hit a desired target.

i got it up to 8.4 now but my phosphate is at .37