Alkalinity does not raise

[Paulo_F]

i have a question regarding alkalinity, even dosing Kalkwasser (max dissolution possible) using my ato I can’t see alkalinity raising above 7 (Red Sea test) and also ph dos not rise above 8.05 (apex).
Magnesium is about 1400.
There is anything that I’m overlooking?
Salinity 1.025

Thanks

 

[Loggerhead]

Is it possible that your tank is using whatever is dosed in one day and you are just keeping up with the current day needs with kalk?

 

[Paulo_F]

I don’t think so, just on sps in the tank and couple lós the alkalinity consumption should not be that big.

 

[Paulo_F]

LPS*

 

[Martin Kuhn]

Hello Paulo

Have a look also on your Ca value not only Alk.

And, as already said, dosing Limewater Limits the amount of Ca/Alk added per day. This is as the concentration is much lower than dosing 2/3 parts together with the limiting factor that you can’t use max the same amount of limewater which your tank evaporates per day

 

[Saltyreef]

Agreed with above statements. Have you done a consumption trend over a few days to see where your levels are and how much kalk you need to add per day? I would test a fresh mixed bucket of SW, test your tank before water change, then test your tank after water change. You can also do a 3-5 day trend with kalk mix and then another with regular DI in your top off and that will tell you pretty much all you need to know.
Could be as simple as getting your calcium & alkalinity in check first and then adding your kalk into the top off to help stabilize between water changes.
I found that instead of 10 gallons every two weeks, my tank needs a 5 gallon a week change. Lessens the extent of the alk swings and keeps the graph pretty linear.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Limewater (kalkwasser) is not very potent, even when saturated (how are you making yours?). Maybe you are just not using enough.

Have you calculated the expected boost to alk and calcium? Try this calculator:

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html

 

[Fiesty]

U probably already know this but going to say just in case. U should be adding 2 teaspoons of kalk per gallon to get the full saturation. Also, my understanding is that if u started with low alk then dosing the replacement (proper) level isnt going to raise it but just keep the same. As it should. Use some 2 part to get your levels up to where u want them and then see if the kalk holds it. If not, then u may need to dose 2 part also to keep it up.

And a big factor might be what salt u r using? U could switch to a higher grade salt mix such as Reef Crystals, etc. So your starting point is higher and u dont lower the values with water changes. Just some quick thoughts i had.

 

[Paulo_F]

First off all thanks everybody for the support!

So trying to respond all possibilities, today I had a chance to measure calcium and it is 440.
I’m using Red Sea black bucket salt 10% water change every week.
About the possibility to measure alkalinity in couple days to see hot much it drops I afraid of the risk, because alkalinity will drop and ph will go together and there is a big risk to see ph below 7.8 if I stop to dose Kalkwasser

With all the comments I understood that 2 part will make a better job than Kalkwasser, o I will buy some soda ash, or red see B part to dose and see how the tank will react.

Randy I did use the calculator, I don’t remember the numbers but there is no way for my 20 gallon tank evaporate the quantity of water needed to use Kalk in the ato.

I will make some trial and let you guys know

 

[Fiesty]

First off all thanks everybody for the support!

So trying to respond all possibilities, today I had a chance to measure calcium and it is 440.
I’m using Red Sea black bucket salt 10% water change every week.
About the possibility to measure alkalinity in couple days to see hot much it drops I afraid of the risk, because alkalinity will drop and ph will go together and there is a big risk to see ph below 7.8 if I stop to dose Kalkwasser

With all the comments I understood that 2 part will make a better job than Kalkwasser, o I will buy some soda ash, or red see B part to dose and see how the tank will react.

Randy I did use the calculator, I don’t remember the numbers but there is no way for my 20 gallon tank evaporate the quantity of water needed to use Kalk in the ato.

I will make some trial and let you guys know

Id say dont stop the kalk for the reasons u stated! Instead, if i were u, id keep using the kalk like u r. Dose EQUAL parts of the 2 part by hand to slowely over time get your alkalinity up. Then when at level u like stop dosing 2 part (keep using kalk) for a set period of time (prob 24 hours) then see how much it drops. Then figure that amout is what u need to dose per day and use the BRS calculator to figure that amout out. Only way better would be to use a dosing pump for your kalk also, putting in just under what yout evaporation is and just rodi in your topoff to make up the difference.

 

[Paulo_F]

Finally after a very slow raise to avoid issues I reach 9dkh yesterday, now I will measure every day to see how much will drop.

Even with the slow raise my trumpet coral is not happy with that. Let’s see.

 

[MnFish1]

Couldn't it be that you're precipitating calcium/carbonate in your tank? what is your Mg?

 

[Paulo_F]

I thought about that as well this is why start this topic giving also my magnesium level. It is 1400

 

[Fiesty]

Your r going to continue with your Kalk, right? And just stop the 2 part for a day and see how much it drops? Then of course use a calculator to figure out anout of 2 part and add that back in daily. Then retest in a daybor two just to check. And be sure and test at same time of day.

 

[Paulo_F]

Your r going to continue with your Kalk, right? And just stop the 2 part for a day and see how much it drops? Then of course use a calculator to figure out anout of 2 part and add that back in daily. Then retest in a daybor two just to check. And be sure and test at same time of day.

Yes that is what I’m doing Kalk still on and I will measure again today or for how many days is needed to drop 1dkh

Today I willl retest caucium and magnesium as well

 

[Fiesty]

Yes that is what I’m doing Kalk still on and I will measure again today or for how many days is needed to drop 1dkh

Today I willl retest caucium and magnesium as well

Your main concern should be the alk level and then ph. The other two should require less concern IMHO, and also from the research i have done. So if it were me, and i also just went through this recently with setting up new tank, id focus on getting your alk on track and if u can do that by dosing a lil more at certain times to get ph up and stable (most likely night when lights off and early morning before lights come on, dependent on your schedule) then when u get alk and ph stable u can adjust calcium and mag as need be.

 

[Paulo_F]

Just finish the measurements

Alkalinity 9dkh
Calcium 410
Magnesium 1360

Initial values
Alkalinity between 6 to 7
Calcium 440
Magnesium 1400

I will need to start dose the calcium part of the 2 part that I was not doing