Alk/salt question.

[RBarth]

I do a 20% water change every week with RS coral pro salt. I have no desire to do less % or less frequency of changes. Have decided I want my alk closer to 8.5-9 than the 10 I get after a water change. I've got my ALK consumption numbers/dosing dialed in and it takes 2 days to get to the level I want and then I maintain till the next water change. Corals seem happy but looking for more stability and wanted yalls thoughts on just moving to ie blue bucket OR if everything 'appears' ok just continue as I'm doing. Thanks!

 

[A Young Reefer]

I personally think you are doing just fine.

 

[homer1475]

If you like the salt, but hate the alk number, just lower the alk and keep using the salt.

Pretty simple to do really, just require a mineral acid(such as muriatic, or seachems buffer) Just search the Chem forums on calculations.

 

[RBarth]

I guess put another way, is a 1 dkh drop over a 2 day period stressing them out even though I'm maintaining after that drop? Stability at its finest lol!

 

[homer1475]

It's not the gradual drop that will stress the corals, it's the sudden jump up when doing the WC that will stress them.

 

[jda]

You can add Muriatic Acid to your freshly mixed salt to lower the carbonate. It will create a lot of co2, so you have to mix longer until the pH comes back up. If you do this right, it is safe and stuff. Handle the Muriatic right - it is not death in a bottle or anything, but it needs to be respected.

Gallons * dKh drop * .123 is the MLs of Muriatic Acid to use. You can test this to confirm. If you overshoot, then baking soda can raise it back up. Once you figure it out, it is the same every time.

I don't sweat dKh swing and especially small ones.

 

[RBarth]

Makes sense. Thanks man!

 

[RBarth]

So what is considered a big dkh swing? I should add this is only a 40g tank. So if I'm hearing you right, don't worry about a 1 dkh drop on either side?

 

[jda]

A couple of years ago, I let my co2 bottle run dry, my alk got down into the 4s. I just added some baking soda to bring it back up to 7 instantly. This actually happened twice in the same year (hangs head in shame). I would not worry about 1 dKh.