Best way to raise ALK?

[Supreme Reefs]

just a thought: do you monitor calcium as well? the two should do hand in hand

i did but i havent done so in a long time, ill start monitoring that as well then

 

[reefz3ro]

so i have a tub of RO water for water change n topoffs which i fill about everyother day, i can just put the reefbuilder in there and have it sit then just scoop it out and top off or water change so i wouldnt have to put it in the aquarium?

Yes but make sure you test to make sure your not raising the alk to fast. I would also check and make sure the top water has a correct ph if not ajust accordinly. When ever you mix water for changing the salt mix should put the alk pretty close so i would not add salt mix to RO water that already has a dkh of 9 you might get a really high dkh in the saltwater for changes.

 

[mpoletti]

I just turn the dial on the CA reactor and the alk goes up or down

 

[reefdan]

I just turn the dial on the CA reactor and the alk goes up or down

me too. CAXs rock the house. expensive to get started though...

 

[Supreme Reefs]

Yes but make sure you test to make sure your not raising the alk to fast. I would also check and make sure the top water has a correct ph if not ajust accordinly. When ever you mix water for changing the salt mix should put the alk pretty close so i would not add salt mix to RO water that already has a dkh of 9 you might get a really high dkh in the saltwater for changes.

ohh ok, so wouldnt water changes eventualy make your alkalinity right? im guessing it would have to be either a big water change or a 1 every other day for a week kind of thing?

 

[Supreme Reefs]

I just turn the dial on the CA reactor and the alk goes up or down

never knew CA reactors could do that... i need to get one...

 

[reefdan]

^ depends on how balanced your salt is and how often you do water changes.

my reef crystals, for example, tested at 13 DKH and 350 ppm calcium. not balanced at all.

i am using D-D salt now. much better, imo

 

[Supreme Reefs]

I just turn the dial on the CA reactor and the alk goes up or down

what CA reactor do you have? do all of them do that?

 

[reefz3ro]

Not if your toping off with water with a low alk

 

[Supreme Reefs]

^ depends on how balanced your salt is and how often you do water changes.

my reef crystals, for example, tested at 13 DKH and 350 ppm calcium. not balanced at all.

i am using D-D salt now. much better, imo

im using reef crystals right now, whats the reading on the D-D salt?

 

[ahayes13]

i use B-Ionic part a (alkalinity) and part b (calcium). Personally i think it is very easy to use and gives me great results. Each part is its own seperate jug and is sold as a pair (part a and part b). You should test both alkalinity and calcium before you add anything. Like everyone else said go slowly on raising your alkalinity, so you dont shock your corals. On each of the part a and part b jugs it tells you directions on how to use it, and how much of it raises the the reading by what amount. usually i find that these #'s they give you are fairly accurate.

You should start yourself a chart where you can record your test results you get and also how much of part a (alk) and part b (calcium) you added. Then you can look back at it each day and see how much your #;s changed and that will help you narrow down an amount that you can add to your tank daily. For now you should test daily til' you figure out how much you should be adding daily.

 

[ahayes13]

one other thing it seems no one mentioned is about your test kits. so im not sure what test kits you are using... but.... just in case....

it is best to invest a better test kit than a dip stick test or cheaper test kits. everyone seems to have ones that they prefer over another. but i like the salifert test kits for alk and calcium.

 

[gnoles]

I just turn the dial on the CA reactor and the alk goes up or down

+1 and once it's dialed in... I check once every week or so since the SPS started growing.

 

[Supreme Reefs]

one other thing it seems no one mentioned is about your test kits. so im not sure what test kits you are using... but.... just in case....

it is best to invest a better test kit than a dip stick test or cheaper test kits. everyone seems to have ones that they prefer over another. but i like the salifert test kits for alk and calcium.

thanks Amanda, i am using an Salifert test kit i purchased from bulk reef supply. Salifert kH/Alkalinity Test Bulk Reef Supply

would you happen to know if this would be a good test kit to use?

 

[ahayes13]

yes, i think salifert are just fine for it. thats what i use and get pretty accurate #'s with them.