Best Solution for Maintaining Alk

[icedearth15324]

I've started monitoring my levels a lot more than I used to, so I can start getting into SPS a little more. When I used my Hanna Checker, I got 5.7 dKH. When I tested a fresh batch of saltwater, using Red Sea Coral Pro salt at 1.026, it tested at over 12 dKH. Calcium is 450.

I have a Waterbox 100.3, which is 97.2 total gallons, before sand and rock. I have primarily LPS, but have some decent sized pieces. I do a 5 gallon water change weekly. I have been doing testing weekly, but I am planning on trying to do a daily 5 gallon water change for the next week, combined with testing before the change and maybe an hour after to see if it is making any differences.

Would I be better off just doing 2-part, and getting my alk up slowly, or set up Kalk? Anyone else have any other suggestions?

 

[Little_Red_Ryan_Hood]

I think you are at the point where you need to do something other than water changes to maintain cal and alk. 2 part or kalk would work fine. I like 2 part but it is up to you.

 

[Little_Red_Ryan_Hood]

Also kalk should not be used to raise parameters. It should only be used to maintain them. If you decide to use kalk, you will need 2 part for adjusting parameters.

 

[icedearth15324]

I think you are at the point where you need to do something other than water changes to maintain cal and alk. 2 part or kalk would work fine. I like 2 part but it is up to you.

That's kind of what I was thinking. I first thought my checker wasn't working properly cause it's like 5 years old. But then when I tested a fresh batch of saltwater, it tested properly. I guess I didn't think my LPS would drain in that much, up until buying some new pieces last week I didn't have a lot in my tank.

 

[piranhaman00]

Randys recipe for alk is what I use, 260 or so grams of baking soda into 1L DI water. Works great and min pH affect.

 

[icedearth15324]

Randys recipe for alk is what I use, 260 or so grams of baking soda into 1L DI water. Works great and min pH affect.

I'm trying to look through his guides for where the specific instructions for this is, do you happen to have a link?

 

[piranhaman00]

Ya he has a lot! Under his stickied articles I found it

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

 

[PatW]

I use Bulk Reef Supply 2 part. I buy it in bulk and mix up a gallon of Ca, which is calcium chloride in RODI and a gallon of ALK, which is soda ash is RODI. I have auto dosing of ALK twice per day plus I measure ALK daily and hand dose to tune it. I have an SPS dominant tank.

I don’t know what your system’s demand but with a slower growing LPS system, you should do fine with hand dosing. You might get by with weekly dosing, but you might need to go bieeekly.

 

[SeaDweller]

well, what's your target alk? I'd get that up by using regular old baking soda to the number you want, and then maintain it with whatever method you choose. RSCP salt runs high alk, so I'm surprised you're not able to get alk up that way. Personally, if it were me, I'd ditch RSCP, get your alk into the 7-8 range with baking soda, and switch to red sea blue bucket, if you want to stick with Red Sea products.

 

[icedearth15324]

well, what's your target alk? I'd get that up by using regular old baking soda to the number you want, and then maintain it with whatever method you choose. RSCP salt runs high alk, so I'm surprised you're not able to get alk up that way. Personally, if it were me, I'd ditch RSCP, get your alk into the 7-8 range with baking soda, and switch to red sea blue bucket, if you want to stick with Red Sea products.

Yeah that's why I initially thought my Hanna checker was broken, I didn't understand how I was getting like 5.7 dKH when I didn't have any demanding corals yet. And luckily I'm not tied to RSCP, or even Red Sea. I mainly happened to get a really good deal on the bucket when I was setting my tank up.

 

[beaslbob]

To answer your question directly I use baking soda to maintain alk.

To answer your question fully I suggest (if you haven't already) read up on the Dr. holmes Farley improved diy two part. then implement.

my .02