Always battling low Kh and would love an easy solution.

NHgoalstop · Jan 30, 2020

I have a 20L with a 10 gallon sump/refugium. Tank has been set up since March, since setting it up I've always seemed to battle low Kh. Using API test I'm usually around 5 drops. I dont have a lot of corals in my tank.
I was wondering if I can use seachem reef builder in my ATO water? And if I can is there an easy way to figure out how much to mix? I fill my 5 gallon ATO about once a week.

fishguy242 · Jan 30, 2020

hi imo cal mag and alk must be in balance,buff it up

NHgoalstop · Jan 30, 2020

fishguy242 said:
hi imo cal mag and alk must be in balance,buff it up

So use a two part?

fishguy242 · Jan 30, 2020

imo cal 450, dkh 10,mag 1300

fishguy242 · Jan 30, 2020

check the cal,may be too high first

fermentedhiker · Jan 30, 2020

For a tank that small Tropic Marin "all for reef" might be the easiest thing to try.

Sweet Reef Corals · Jan 30, 2020

NHgoalstop said:
I have a 20L with a 10 gallon sump/refugium. Tank has been set up since March, since setting it up I've always seemed to battle low Kh. Using API test I'm usually around 5 drops. I dont have a lot of corals in my tank.
I was wondering if I can use seachem reef builder in my ATO water? And if I can is there an easy way to figure out how much to mix? I fill my 5 gallon ATO about once a week.

It would be helpful if you posted your current parameters.

Davisma · Jan 30, 2020

is your tank really 5 gallons (20L)? if so i would just control the alk with water changes. do you have a lot of algae in your tank?

Greg P · Jan 30, 2020

Davisma said:
is your tank really 5 gallons (20L)?

Possibly the OP meant a 20 Long

ReefingDaily · Jan 30, 2020

Dose!

NowGlazeIT · Jan 30, 2020

NHgoalstop said:
So use a two part?

Yes. Two part is alkalinity and calcium. Your corals consume those and over a longer period of time, also magnesium.

Greg P · Jan 30, 2020

As requested, post your Big 3 test results first before doing anything.
Also;
What salt are you using?
What other test kits/brands do you have?

And technically speaking, 2-part is actually a 3-part method - Alk, Calcium and Magnesium

NHgoalstop · Jan 31, 2020

Greg P said:
As requested, post your Big 3 test results first before doing anything.
Also;
What salt are you using?
What other test kits/brands do you have?

And technically speaking, 2-part is actually a 3-part method - Alk, Calcium and Magnesium

What are the big 3? I'll test then when I get home from work. I use corallife marine salt at 1.026 and water temp sits at 77.
Nitrate is at 5ish, phosphates 0.

fishguy242 · Jan 31, 2020

alk cal, mag

NHgoalstop · Jan 31, 2020

Davisma said:
is your tank really 5 gallons (20L)? if so i would just control the alk with water changes. do you have a lot of algae in your tank?

Sorry I meant 20 long. I do not have much algae. I have some coraline that for some reason has bleached out and I added a large chunk of chaeto in my refugium.

S.Pepper · Jan 31, 2020

fermentedhiker said:
For a tank that small Tropic Marin "all for reef" might be the easiest thing to try.

For small systems, Tropic Marin, all-for-reef works great.

NHgoalstop · Feb 7, 2020

S.Pepper said:
For small systems, Tropic Marin, all-for-reef works great.

So I picked some of this up and have been using it for the last 4 days and I will say that the reaction from my tank was quicker than I expected. My GSP that had been closed for almost 2 weeks started to open up after the 2nd day and fully open after the 4th. My shroom and bubble tip have never looked better. Good thing it's a small tank though or this stuff would make you go broke.

S.Pepper · Feb 7, 2020

NHgoalstop said:
So I picked some of this up and have been using it for the last 4 days and I will say that the reaction from my tank was quicker than I expected. My GSP that had been closed for almost 2 weeks started to open up after the 2nd day and fully open after the 4th. My shroom and bubble tip have never looked better. Good thing it's a small tank though or this stuff would make you go broke.

Excellent, glad it's working for you. It has worked great for me, too. I hear you on the expense. I just bought a new 75G DT and will probably start making my own with the new system.

NHgoalstop · Feb 7, 2020

S.Pepper said:
Excellent, glad it's working for you. It has worked great for me, too. I hear you on the expense. I just bought a new 75G DT and will probably start making my own with the new system.

Well if you find out a good recipe let me know. We are looking at getting a new house and when we do I plan on setting up a 100g tank. Lol

S.Pepper · Feb 7, 2020

NHgoalstop said:
Well if you find out a good recipe let me know. We are looking at getting a new house and when we do I plan on setting up a 100g tank. Lol

Actually, BRS released the exact recipe for All-for-Reef. There's a video on their site or youtube.