Alk ?

[GoTakeANap]

Ive been adding the recommed amount of a ALK buffer to my tank everyday for the pass week. Just tested my water.

Small tank was 4 last week and now its 3.5, how is it possible to drop even lower when im adding a buffer everyday to get it to 8-10 range?

Big tank was at 3.5 last week and now its at 4. Does ALK not go up faster than that in a weeks time. Just trying to figure out whats going on and how I can solve this problem im having.

 

[Aquaph8]

Lets start with what test kit your using, is it reading DKH or meq?

 

[JMSKI333]

You should also mention what buffer you are using.

 

[Aquaph8]

Also give us an idea of everything you are dosing to your tank.

 

[GoTakeANap]

Buffer is called Alikalin 8.3 made by Brightwell Aquatics.
Test kit is made by seachem. Measure by meq/L

Havent been dosing my tank for anything lately. I spot feed my coral phyotofeast twice a week. Feed mysis/brine every other day. Havent had to dose anything for PH or CA. So I know something isnt right but havent figured it out yet. Thats why I need your help. hehe

 

[candcreef]

What is your magnesium level? If your mag is low, You are just wasting the alk buffer...find out what your mag level is (should be between 1300-1400) and if you are low, add mag to the proper level, then dose alk..

Conan

 

[ritter6788]

Meq/l and dkh are totally different. If your alk is 4 meq/l then your alk is over 11 dkh which isn't too bad but a little high for my taste. 8-9 dkh is what you are shooting for not 8-9 meq/l.

Use this to convert,

SaltyZoo's Alkalinity Reading Conversion (meq/l / dKH / ppm CaCO3) Utility

 

[GoTakeANap]

What is your magnesium level? If your mag is low, You are just wasting the alk buffer...find out what your mag level is (should be between 1300-1400) and if you are low, add mag to the proper level, then dose alk..

Conan

This I dont have a test kit for. Didnt know I needed to test for this until last week. LFS didnt tell me I needed to test for this, thats one of the main reason I joined the forums so I could get the correct info on everything. Getting one saturday thou. LFS is a hour away.


Thanks for the chart info ritter. Adding it to my favorites now.

 

[Aquaph8]

Meq/l and dkh are totally different. If your alk is 4 meq/l then your alk is over 11 dkh which isn't too bad but a little high for my taste. 8-9 dkh is what you are shooting for not 8-9 meq/l.

Use this to convert,

SaltyZoo's Alkalinity Reading Conversion (meq/l / dKH / ppm CaCO3) Utility

My thoughts exactly. Stay away from the recommended dosages on the bottles. Figure out your tanks usage and dose daily according to that.

 

[Aquaph8]

Honestly chances are if your tank is pretty new that water changes are enough to keep your tank within range.

Here is a couple articles on Calcium and Alkalinity that may help you.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/2/chemistry

[url]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry







[/URL]

 

[GoTakeANap]

Tank is about 2 years old. I have the same LR in it from my old tank which was setup for 4 years but decided to buy a tank with the built in overflow. Glad I did bc I love it. Wouldnt buy another tank without it. Thanks for the great articles. Alot of helpful/useful info was posted. Thanks again guys, you are life savers!

 

[always reefin]

Are you doing regular water changes? What salt are you using? Do you know what a fresh batch of saltwater you are using tests regarding Alk? With regular water changes your Alk should be ok.

 

[GoTakeANap]

Are you doing regular water changes? What salt are you using? Do you know what a fresh batch of saltwater you are using tests regarding Alk? With regular water changes your Alk should be ok.

I do water changes every week. 15 gallons the 1st and 3rd week of every month and 2nd and 4th weeks I do a 5-10 gallon change. I've alway use instant ocean salt, but if there is a better brand of salt please let me know. I don't know what a fresh batch reads. Ill test it tomorrow. Got my RO/DI unit running now

 

[Alabamareef]

All Great advice your getting. This may be helpful later also.

Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

[Alabamareef]

Also what are you dosing for Ca and Alk, 2part or a reactor?

 

[Pkunk35]

my 2cents would be to test cal, alk, mag today sometime and then stop all dosing and test your numbers for the next 2-3 days, we can figure out how to dose the tank (if needed at all) with those numbers. After a little bit of testing and adjusting dose, the only main parameter you prob should check often is alk. I also agree that with many tanks only water changing is necessary.

For myself I hate chemistry and I thought the Bulkreefsupply videos did a really great job of simplifying the process for figuring out dosing.

One other thought would be to read up on kalkwasser and its uses/benefits.

GL, you'll get it dialed in no time i'm sure! Happy Friday!