Alkalinity help

[Mickle]

Hello,

I just did my first Alkalinity test (Salifert).
I have .15 left in the 1ml syringe, I have 6.1 *I think*. If I raise it, how much baking soda should I add per gallons? I dont have sps so I don't have to worry about that, All I have is softies. My PH is 8.15.

Thanks!

-Mick

 

[Crabs McJones]

We would need to know your total water volume first and what dkh you would like to increase it to.

 

[Mikedawg]

Hello,

I just did my first Alkalinity test (Salifert).
I have .15 left in the 1ml syringe, I have 6.1 *I think*. If I raise it, how much baking soda should I add per gallons? I dont have sps so I don't have to worry about that, All I have is softies. My PH is 8.15.

Thanks!

-Mick

BRS website has a calculator which will identify how much you should add given your water volume and desired level.

 

[Mickle]

We would need to know your total water volume first and what dkh you would like to increase it to.

To maybe 7.5? I have 13.5 gallons, an inch from being completely full. Can I add baking soda safely with inverts?

 

[Flippers4pups]

@Crabs Mcjones is correct. Need your total water volume.

Using Randy’s 2part recipe #2.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

And this calculator:

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

 

[Flippers4pups]

To maybe 7.5? I have 13.5 gallons, an inch from being completely full. Can I add baking soda safely with inverts?

Make the Alkalinty solution into a gallon jug. Dose per calculator.

 

[Crabs McJones]

To maybe 7.5? I have 13.5 gallons, an inch from being completely full. Can I add baking soda safely with inverts?

. To go from 6.1 to 7.5 you'll want to use half a teaspoon. Dissolve it in ro/di water and add it slowly into the tank, add bits over the course of an hour or so as itll have a lowering effect on your ph. What are you using to dose calcium? Generally as @Flippers4pups mentioned above about 2 part. You want to dose calcium and alkalinity together so that one doesnt spike over the other.

 

[Mickle]

I've never dosed anything. I add baking soda or make the Solution #2? Do I remove all fish or leave them?

Thanks everyone!

. To go from 6.1 to 7.5 you'll want to use half a teaspoon. Dissolve it in ro/di water and add it slowly into the tank, add bits over the course of an hour or so as itll have a lowering effect on your ph. What are you using to dose calcium? Generally as @Flippers4pups mentioned above about 2 part. You want to dose calcium and alkalinity together so that one doesnt spike over the other.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I would recommend following the links that @Flippers4pups posted above. It's your best bet to keep calcium and alkalinity stable

 

[CCK_8814]

If you had .15 left in your syringe your alk is actually around 13.2. To be at 6 you would have had .60 left in syringe.

 

[Mickle]

I would recommend following the links that @Flippers4pups posted above. It's your best bet to keep calcium and alkalinity stable

So I make an Alkalinity and calcium solution then mix them together when I dose? I don't have any of the ingredients to make the calcium solution Ill have to search for those so I guess I wont be dosing anytime soon ;Sour

 

[CCK_8814]

So I make an Alkalinity and calcium solution then mix them together when I dose? I don't have any of the ingredients to make the calcium solution Ill have to search for those so I guess I wont be dosing anytime soon ;Sour

If I were you I’d start by testing your alk again. If it is truly at 13+ dkh you’ll need to work on lowering your Alkalinity. What’s your calcium currently?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Mix baking soda into a gallon jug using RO/DI water. 1 1/8 cup of baking soda to a gallon of water.

Using the calculator, enter the total water volume, then the current Alkalinty value and then the value desired. Pick Randy’s recipe #2.

Dose the oz amount of Alkalinty it says.

This is for Alkalinty only.

If you had .15 left in your syringe your alk is actually around 13.2. To be at 6 you would have had .60 left in syringe.

@CCK_8814 is correct. If there is .15 left in the syringe, your Alkalinty would be 13.5 or 13.5 dkh.

That’s high.

I would retest to verify.

 

[Mickle]

How do I lower it? I just started making the Solution #2. ;Facepalm;Facepalm;Facepalm

If I were you I’d start by testing your alk again. If it is truly at 13+ dkh you’ll need to work on lowering your Alkalinity. What’s your calcium currently?

 

[Flippers4pups]

How do I lower it? I just started making the Solution #2. ;Facepalm;Facepalm;Facepalm

It’s okay to make the Alkalinty solution and keep a lid on it. It should last for a very long time.

Re test your Alkalinty to verify its .15 or 13.5 dkh.

 

[CCK_8814]

How do I lower it? I just started making the Solution #2. ;Facepalm;Facepalm;Facepalm

What type of synthetic salt mix are you using? Are you using reef crystals? Also what is your calcium testing at? Make sure to retest before doing any adjustments.

 

[Mickle]

I don't use a salt mix I buy SW from a lfs its way cheaper

What type of synthetic salt mix are you using? Are you using reef crystals? Also what is your calcium testing at? Make sure to retest before doing any adjustments.

Okay! Re testing.

It’s okay to make the Alkalinty solution and keep a lid on it. It should last for a very long time.

Re test your Alkalinty to verify its .15 or 13.5 dkh.

 

[Mickle]

0.2 is left in the syringe. Its at 12.5? My chart also looks different from yours @CCK_8814

 

[CCK_8814]

Yes .20 would be 12.5dkh. If your LFS is like most LFS by me then they probably use IO Reef Crystals for their premixed saltwater. With a tank your size I can see where buying it premixed may be cheaper. Trust me though, long term you’re much better off getting yourself a RODI Filter & mixing your own salt. This helps you avoid this exact thing. My only suggestion for now would be to test brand new water you get from your LFS to confirm my suspicions that the newly mixed saltwater has a high DKH from the start and your tank doesn’t have enough coral to absorb the high dKH freshly mixed reef crystals usually has. If memory serves me correct RC usually mixes at around 13-14 dKH. As far as the chart goes your kit may be newer than mine hence a different looking chart. All the numbers seem to match though.

 

[Mickle]

Yes .20 would be 12.5dkh. If your LFS is like most LFS by me then they probably use IO Reef Crystals for their premixed saltwater. With a tank your size I can see where buying it premixed may be cheaper. Trust me though, long term you’re much better off getting yourself a RODI Filter & mixing your own salt. This helps you avoid this exact thing. My only suggestion for now would be to test brand new water you get from your LFS to confirm my suspicions that the newly mixed saltwater has a high DKH from the start and your tank doesn’t have enough coral to absorb the high dKH freshly mixed reef crystals usually has. If memory serves me correct RC usually mixes at around 13-14 dKH. As far as the chart goes your kit may be newer than mine hence a different looking chart. All the numbers seem to match though.

I am planning on adding more corals, all I have is Palys, Toadstool, one mushroom, and a xenia species. So I just wait it out? What salt mix do you recommend?