Best way to raise alk

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If I were you do a water change (what salt are you using?) sometimes you can correct just with a water change alone. as others have said if that does not work go to a LFS and have them test with another test kit. If the alk tests low on thier kit my preferance is to correct...Do you have alot of SPS in your tank? they can take alot of alk out of the water column. Perhaps Randy can correct me if I'm wrong but from my understanding you have to try and correct to 420-450 cal. and 7-11 dkh first. the limewater will keep you at those elevated levels when dosing it... I don't think its efficient at raising alk independednt of cal. same goes for cal reactors. You have to get the levels where you want them then add limewater or cal reactor efflo.

In this case it should work over time, as long as demand is not too high, because if you boost the alk by 2.8 dKH, the calcium will only rise by 20 ppm, which at about 500 ppm is still OK. If you have wanted to boost calcium significantly (or lower it), you'd be out of luck.

That said, boosting it with baking soda is also perfectly appropriate and can generally be done much faster.

 

[tencwhiskey]

I'm going to take it to the LFS today and have it tested, but that's more what I'm thinking. I have never had it that low before.

 

[tencwhiskey]

Ok, so I went to the fish store today, he was able to check my alk with a Redsea kit and it also came back on the low end of 7.0, I came home and double checked and I get 6.7. Pretty much the same. I'm going to slowly dose the baking soda since that is what I have on hand at this time.
He also checked my ph which came back at 7.8 on api. Anyways just wanted to let all of u that have helped And thanks again.

 

[RandoReefer]

Am I wrong, or don't you want to bake the baking soda in the oven first??

 

[tencwhiskey]

My understanding is I can bake it since my Ph is on the low side? I will do more looking into it, just to make sure. I'm guessing randy has written about it on here. I will look it up

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you want a pH boost, bake it. If not, then don't.

 

[tencwhiskey]

Easy enough!! Thanks a lot.

 

[coralcruze]

Randy's formula to bake is 350 deg on flat sheet for 30 min's... its the best thing since sliced bread. gives a nice boost to PH and you use less powder. Just add sloooooowly over a day or two. I watch my ph meter and wont allow a rise of more than .20 at any given time.


I have no idea what we would do without Randy. He is such an awesome resource to this community.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks, coralcruze.

I'd equate the heating to cooking a turkey. The more you try to heat up, the higher or longer it will take.

A thin layer at 350 is plenty.

But some folks heat a lot at once, and if so, I'd probably use a higher temp or a longer time to ensure that the interior gets hot enough (1 think 100 deg C, 212 deg F) interior is hot enough. Maybe 400 or 450 for 1 h.

 

[coralcruze]

Thanks, coralcruze.

I'd equate the heating to cooking a turkey. The more you try to heat up, the higher or longer it will take.

A thin layer at 350 is plenty.

But some folks heat a lot at once, and if so, I'd probably use a higher temp or a longer time to ensure that the interior gets hot enough (1 think 100 deg C, 212 deg F) interior is hot enough. Maybe 400 or 450 for 1 h.

oh good to know... I marked the recipe on my bottle I keep it in. One day when I'm grey and old I'll hand it down to my grandkids and tell them that there was this chemistry legend named "Randy Holmes Farley" who saved many reefs and corals who who shared that ancient recipe with me. Kidding aside I have about half gallon cooked up and that lasts me like 5 years. and still works like the day I cooked it.

 

[Av8Bluewater]

Or just use Soda ash from BRS. Same thing as "baked" baking soda. That's what you would probably use when you start alk dosing. Regular baking soda works just fine.

 

[coralcruze]

Or just use Soda ash from BRS. Same thing as "baked" baking soda. That's what you would probably use when you start alk dosing. Regular baking soda works just fine.

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the less I buy from BRS, the better I feel they don't need my buisness. besides as you said baking soda works just fine and baked baking soda works even better...