Coral problem.

[Bradley Crocker]

Baking Soda. It works wonders. I think @Humblefish did an article about dosing and what not

You can “bake” your own DIY supplement by using baking soda. Spread baking soda onto a clean baking sheet, and bake at 300F for 1 hour. This process drives off water and carbon dioxide from the baking soda, and the result is an effective pH buffer. You will need to experiment (start with a very small amount) to determine how much is needed to raise your pH to the desired level.

I have some baking. Can I save the extra in an airtight bottle after its done?

I wouldn't add any more though. It'll raise your alkalinity too high. If you can get your hands on soda ash, it'll raise ph without affecting alk.

 

[TinaMarie026]

I wouldn't add any more though. It'll raise your alkalinity too high. If you can get your hands on soda ash, it'll raise ph without affecting alk.

I'll check both in a few minutes to see if it dissipated at all.

 

[cmcoker]

I wouldn't add any more though. It'll raise your alkalinity too high. If you can get your hands on soda ash, it'll raise ph without affecting alk.

There is no additive that will raise pH without affecting alkalinity

Oh, and baked baking soda is sodium carbonate which is soda ash..

 

[Bradley Crocker]

There is no additive that will raise pH without affecting alkalinity

Thanks for correcting me! You're absolutely right.

The baking soda will affect alk considerably more than soda ash though.

 

[Bradley Crocker]

I'll check both in a few minutes to see if it dissipated at all.

It should. Next time you make saltwater, test its ph too.

 

[TinaMarie026]

Alk is up a bit, about 14. Ph about 8.3
So ph is better but now I need to get my Alk down.

 

[Bradley Crocker]

Alk is up a bit, about 14. Ph about 8.3
So ph is better but now I need to get my Alk down.

How are the fish? If they seen stressed then do a quick wc. Otherwise, don't worry about it too much right away. It can be increased over 1dkh/day with little adverse effects. If your ph is stabilizing, the alkalinity will as well.

 

[TinaMarie026]

How are the fish? If they seen stressed then do a quick wc. Otherwise, don't worry about it too much right away. It can be increased over 1dkh/day with little adverse effects. If your ph is stabilizing, the alkalinity will as well.

They seem OK. I will keep an eye on them for a bit. Thanks!

 

[Humblefish]

Thank you! I will try it. I have a 30 gal. tank. Are you talking like a table spoon, more,less? Just to start.

Roughly, 500 mg of sodium carbonate ("baked" baking soda) will raise pH 0.1 per 30 gallons of water.

However, the boost is often only temporary.

 

[justingraham]

Ok I have only read the first two pages and before I forget what I want to add what are u using to hold the hose on? If it's metal clamps that could be ur problem.

With it only happening to inverts and coral I would have to say it is with water chemistry I'll go back to reading the thread now

 

[Bradley Crocker]

My triton test kit came today. It will be in the mail Monday then hopefully it will show something helpful.

On a high note, my snail is still alive today! I was worried last night as it was becoming inactive after a few hrs. It looked like it was suffocating. So I added my new air stone. Maybe just my imagination, but I wanted to rule that out. He isn't moving around much, but he is moving.

So did your tds meter show up today as well?

And you did a magnesium test last week, which looked fine, but have you retested it? Was this one of your new salifert kits, or the lfs/api? Next time you test all the other stuff, check this again just for giggles.

 

[Bradley Crocker]

Ok I have only read the first two pages and before I forget what I want to add what are u using to hold the hose on? If it's metal clamps that could be ur problem.

With it only happening to inverts and coral I would have to say it is with water chemistry I'll go back to reading the thread now

All plastic/vinyl/pvc.

Keep reading and asking whatever comes to mind. A fresh take on things might just be the ticket!

 

[TinaMarie026]

So did your tds meter show up today as well?

And you did a magnesium test last week, which looked fine, but have you retested it? Was this one of your new salifert kits, or the lfs/api? Next time you test all the other stuff, check this again just for giggles.

Not yet for the meter.

 

[TinaMarie026]

So did your tds meter show up today as well?

And you did a magnesium test last week, which looked fine, but have you retested it? Was this one of your new salifert kits, or the lfs/api? Next time you test all the other stuff, check this again just for giggles.

No retest yet. I will try a complete retest tomorrow. I think I'm changing too much at one time.

 

[Bradley Crocker]

No retest yet. I will try a complete retest tomorrow. I think I'm changing too much at one time.

I agree. I think it's far more important to find the cause than it is to find the cure.

I was just searching more on low ph with high alk, and magnesium and fresh water chemistry come up a lot.

 

[TinaMarie026]

Ok I have only read the first two pages and before I forget what I want to add what are u using to hold the hose on? If it's metal clamps that could be ur problem.

With it only happening to inverts and coral I would have to say it is with water chemistry I'll go back to reading the thread now

I do have as hose clamps, but the are not in contact with the water.

 

[justingraham]

I do have as hose clamps, but the are not in contact with the water.

Well that really doesn't matter as I had one out of the water that occasionally got wet and caused a problem

I'm still trying to read thru I'm at a wedding

 

[TinaMarie026]

Fish are all good. Snail unknown. His door is closed and I haven't seen movement since yesterday morning.
Tests today...
Ph - API 8.3
Salifert 7.8
Nitrate - API 0
Salifert 25
Phosphate -1.0
Alkalinity - 14.5
Magnesium - 1140

I hate the difference between the two tests.

Triton test going out tomorrow.

 

[Irsug1]

Looks like another WC is in order. Your rocks and etc. are probably leaching phosphates and other substances as your parameters are rising again.

 

[TinaMarie026]

Looks like another WC is in order. Your rocks and etc. are probably leaching phosphates and other substances as your parameters are rising again.

Next on my to-do list.