Doing question

Crimsonvice · Oct 23, 2016

So I am dabbling with dosing. I wanted to start slow, so I went to my LFS and explained my situation. Currently my Cal 420, Alk 7.2, and Mag 1350. I wanted to increase my Alk, because everything else seemed to be within normal range. So my LFS recommended Reefgrow Total Buffer Pro http://www.reefgrow.com/products/supplements/buffer-pro/. According to their calculator it says I should add 61ml a day, for 80 gallons tank+sump, to get my alk to 9.6. I am manually dosing for now, but have been afraid to add so much. I have been adding 10 ml a day. I test in the morning and at night, and it seems that my alk will range from 7-9 depending on when I test. Is this normal until I have done it for a few days and things have settled out? If not, what suggestions do you have?

Thanks in advance.

Crimsonvice · Oct 24, 2016

Just out of curiosity, what happens if my alk is to high?

Elementalj · Oct 24, 2016

Crimsonvice said:
Just out of curiosity, what happens if my alk is to high?

Going too high will burn the corals. I would shoot for a stable 8ish.

Cory · Oct 24, 2016

Crimsonvice said:
Just out of curiosity, what happens if my alk is to high?

Also besides burnt tips, high alk can cause calcium to get low iirc.

Why not use baking soda for alk instead?

Elementalj · Oct 24, 2016

Cory said:
Also besides burnt tips, high alk can cause calcium to get low iirc.

Why not use baking soda for alk instead?

Gotta bake it a little. [emoji106]

Cory · Oct 24, 2016

Elementalj said:
Gotta bake it a little. [emoji106]

Actually baking baking soda will change it from sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate.

Sodium carbonate will raise ph, while sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will have a very slight ph lowering effect. So id rather use baking soda because of the minimal ph change. But i just use kalk lol.

Elementalj · Oct 24, 2016

Cory said:
Actually baking baking soda will change it from sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate.

Sodium carbonate will raise ph, while sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will have a very slight ph lowering effect. So id rather use baking soda because of the minimal ph change. But i just use kalk lol.

I like the elevating properties. [emoji6]

Cory · Oct 24, 2016

Elementalj said:
I like the elevating properties. [emoji6]

Coral Calcification does happen faster at higher ph! So thats a plus!

I think in terms of an accident. If i accidentally dropped in too much carbonate ph would skyrocket (im assuming), but if i dropped in too much bicarbonate ph would stay nealry the same.

Although both would be high alklainity, i think its the quick ph change that causes harm and not the alk.

Elementalj · Oct 24, 2016

Cory said:
Coral Calcification does happen faster at higher ph! So thats a plus!

I think in terms of an accident. If i accidentally dropped in too much carbonate ph would skyrocket (im assuming), but if i dropped in too much bicarbonate ph would stay nealry the same.
Although both would be high alklainity, i think its the quick ph change that causes harm and not the alk.

Honestly I believe it's a combination of both. I'm losing a small frag of favites as we speak because of a pH and Alkalinity spike.Seeing the graphs from the controller brought me to this conclusion. I'm super careful with dosing as well and can't account for the spike.

Sometimes horrible things happen. Best to resolve the issue, then look for the culprit as soon as the crises is averted.

Crimsonvice · Oct 24, 2016

Ok this stuff is killing me and I may switch over to baking soda. Here are my results for the last 3 days. It varies so much and I can't believe that it actually raises and drops so quick. Last night at midnight my Alk was 9.6. This morning it's 7.3! I don't know what I am doing wrong. I would imagine that I would see a slight increase in Alk, and not just see it spike and then return to starting point.

jsker · Oct 24, 2016

What are you testing alk with?

Crimsonvice · Oct 24, 2016

Salifert test kit. When I test and there is a large difference, I test again. It always ends up being the same results.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 24, 2016

Crimsonvice said:
Just out of curiosity, what happens if my alk is to high?

How high? Unless it is a low nutrient tank with SPS, the main drawback with alk above about 11 dKH is accelerated precipitation of calcium carbonate on pumps and such.

john.m.cole3 · Oct 25, 2016

Crimsonvice said:
Ok this stuff is killing me and I may switch over to baking soda. Here are my results for the last 3 days. It varies so much and I can't believe that it actually raises and drops so quick. Last night at midnight my Alk was 9.6. This morning it's 7.3! I don't know what I am doing wrong. I would imagine that I would see a slight increase in Alk, and not just see it spike and then return to starting point.

Test alk at the same time when you do test or your readings will be all over the place regardless. Alk and ph swing throughout the day.

john.m.cole3 · Oct 25, 2016

Test for 3 days in row at the same time and I bet your test results are closer. If not, the dosing bottle may need to be shaken well before pouring. Just a few ideas. ..

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 25, 2016

john.m.cole3 said:
Test alk at the same time when you do test or your readings will be all over the place regardless. Alk and ph swing throughout the day.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but alk only declines between dosings. It doesn't rise on its own the way pH does unless it is being added somehow..

john.m.cole3 · Oct 25, 2016

right. So if the OP doses 10 ml every day when he gets home from work at 6, and tests at variable times, there will be a swing as to what results he is getting.

Crimsonvice · Oct 25, 2016

I have found that if I dose 5 ml in the morning and at night, I maintain an Alk of about 8.3-8.5 at all times. Maybe it was just the initial larger doses that made it swing. I don't know. It seems to be leveling out.

Alfrareef · Oct 25, 2016

Good. If you allow me, keep it steady and small adjustments if needed.
I myself usually take 4-5 days to adjust KH 1dKH either up either down and after WC I pay special attention to coralline algae. It's my high Alk alert... one red monti it's also a good alert. One should watch this signs. They are better the test all the time.

john.m.cole3 · Oct 25, 2016

Alfrareef said:
Good. If you allow me, keep it steady and small adjustments if needed.
I myself usually take 4-5 days to adjust KH 1dKH either up either down and after WC I pay special attention to coralline algae. It's my high Alk alert... one red monti it's also a good alert. One should watch this signs. They are better the test all the time.

I agree 100%. My candy canes and hammers tell me if something is wrong. Very good point!