Alkalinity question of the day!

[Reefahholic]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

This pertains to Triton Core7.

3a is 9750 dKH.

3b is 9750 dKH.

If you add these two 1/L solutions together would it make a 2/L solution of 19500 dKH or would it merely be 9750 dKH in 2/L?

I’m trying to understand all these numbers so I’m clear about what’s going into my tank. At first I heard the number 19500 dKH and then 9750 dKH which is half. This may have only been a “typo” so I’m just wondering which is accurate. I’m posting here until Julian comes back to respond because I’ve already asked him on the thread, but he gets busy. I’ll quote below:

To simplify this I can say the following:
Core7 has 9750dKH/L. When you combine 3a and 3b the concentration remains the same as it is double the dKH in double the volume.
When you dilute this by half then you will have 4875dKH/L in solution and you should dose with this in mind.

The alkalinity strength of Core7 is 19500 dKH / (4 x 1L) set. Core7 still remains the most concentrated inorganic alkalinity solution sold as a professional product on the market.

So is it 9750 dKH for both or 19500 dKH for both? Heh...I hate math!

 

[S.Pepper]

I'm confused. ty.

 

[Reefahholic]

I'm confused. ty.

HaHa.

It’s probably an easy answer, but sometimes I think it’s better to seek Randy’s help on things like this.

 

[Julian@Triton Verified Sponsor]

To make it easy for Randy to follow:
3a mixed with RO/DI (according to the instructions) makes up to 1 litre at 9750dKH
3b mixed makes up 1 litre at 9750dKH
Together you have 2 litres with a total of 19500dKH.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Easy answer is mixing any two alkalinity additives gives a product that is the weighted average of the two mixes (barring the possibility of chemical precipitation that may lower the potency, like mixing sodium carbonate and calcium formate).

Since these are both the same, mixing in any ratio gives a product that has the same potency.

 

[Reefahholic]

Easy answer is mixing any two alkalinity additives gives a product that is the weighted average of the two mixes (barring the possibility of chemical precipitation that may lower the potency, like mixing sodium carbonate and calcium formate).

Since these are both the same, mixing in any ratio gives a product that has the same potency.

Ok, so simplified....

3a is mixed in approximately 960mL of RO/DI to make a 1/L solution. (Triton instructions)

3b is mixed in approximately 960mL of RO/DI to make a 1/L solution. (Triton instructions)

You will get the same 9750 dKH potency?

I guess the number “19500” dKH was a typo then. Seems that the only way you would get that number is to mix both dry products (3a & 3b) to 1/L of RO/DI which should never happen because the instructions say mix “each part” with 1/L. So even if combined they will be in “2/L RO/DI.

Is this correct for the record @Randy Holmes-Farley. If so I have some editing to do.

 

[Reefahholic]

Since these are both the same, mixing in any ratio gives a product that has the same potency.

Julian, this is so confusing. I’m sorry bro. Sounds like even when mixed they will still be 9750 dKH.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok, so simplified....

3a is mixed in approximately 960mL of RO/DI to make a 1/L solution. (Triton instructions)

3b is mixed in approximately 960mL of RO/DI to make a 1/L solution. (Triton instructions)

You will get the same 9750 dKH potency?

I guess the number “19500” dKH was a typo then. Seems that the only way you would get that number is to mix both dry products (3a & 3b) to 1/L of RO/DI which should never happen because the instructions say mix “each part” with 1/L. So even if combined they will be in “2/L RO/DI.

Is this correct for the record @Randy Holmes-Farley. If so I have some editing to do.

If you combine liquids of equal potency, the potency is unchanged.

 

[Reefahholic]

If you combine liquids of equal potency, the potency is unchanged.

Thank you!

 

[Reefahholic]

Not sure what I would do without Randy. ;Hilarious

So let me go edit my other 2-part thread so everything is accurate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[Julian@Triton Verified Sponsor]

Julian, this is so confusing. I’m sorry bro. Sounds like even when mixed they will still be 9750 dKH.

Correct you will have 2 litres at 9750dKH/L which means that if you add these 2 litres to your tank then you will have added a total of 19500dKH.
Whenever you are talking about potency you need to refer to the solution having a certain dKH "per litre" to make any sense of it.

 

[Reefahholic]

Correct you will have 2 litres at 9750dKH/L which means that if you add these 2 litres to your tank then you will have added a total of 19500dKH.
Whenever you are talking about potency you need to refer to the solution having a certain dKH "per litre" to make any sense of it.

Yes, In the Triton recommended 1/L mixed solution 3a & 3b will never have a dKH more than 9750 even if you mixed them. If we do mix we must double the dose for 3a & 3b to keep all 4 parts dosing equally.