Help with math for reducing alkalinity??

[Klyle]

I acquired some free salt...reef crystals. I measured the alk at 12.3. I need to get a water change done this weekend. The alk in my tank is 8.4ish. How much muratic acid do I need to lower 20g @ 12.3, to 8.4? I've looked at the threads Randy has posted but I don't trust my math and don't want to overshoot it! Also, I understand this will lower my ph so as long as I aerate the water and wait for the pH to come up to normal...I should be good at that point, yes? (Also the lady at Ace told me they have "regular" muratic acid as well as "user friendly" muratic acid) I'm assuming the regular stuff is better so thats what I'm going to get.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I acquired some free salt...reef crystals. I measured the alk at 12.3. I need to get a water change done this weekend. The alk in my tank is 8.4ish. How much muratic acid do I need to lower 20g @ 12.3, to 8.4? I've looked at the threads Randy has posted but I don't trust my math and don't want to overshoot it! Also, I understand this will lower my ph so as long as I aerate the water and wait for the pH to come up to normal...I should be good at that point, yes? (Also the lady at Ace told me they have "regular" muratic acid as well as "user friendly" muratic acid) I'm assuming the regular stuff is better so thats what I'm going to get.

Thats interesting im sorry I have no information for you, but I'd love to follow along on this, I know some great help is coming soon!

 

[Klyle]

If I were doing a 10% wc I wouldn't be worried too much about the difference but I'm getting ready to go out of town next weekend and need to accomplish a couple of large (30-40%) changes... figured it would be best to match levels

 

[Klyle]

Well after a little more digging i found an old post from the reef tank forum... this person said, according to one of Randy's formulas he came across, adding 1/11,000 of the water volume will lower alk by 1 meq/l = 2.8 dkH. DISCLAIMER: I'm going off someone else's interpretation of Randy's formula, so I'm just trusting it blindly. Anyway I'm trying to lower alk for 20g of water so...20g = 75.7 l = 75700 ml - 75700/11000 = 6.8 ml... which should bring my alk to 9.5. Anyway, I need to get this going because I need this wc done by tomorrow. Here's to hoping I calculated this correctly! I'll post the results later

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I give recipes here:

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity in New Salt Water or in Display Tanks

I just want to record these calculations in their own thread to refer back to in other threads. When alkalinity is too high in new salt water or in a display tank, acid can be used to lower the alkalinity. You can easily use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), or sodium bifulfate (e.g...

www.reef2reef.com

Muriatic acid?

Can I use this to lower ALK in freshly mixed saltwater.? Do I just add a little bit at a time and test until it gets to the level I would like it?

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Klyle]

I give recipes here:

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity in New Salt Water or in Display Tanks

I just want to record these calculations in their own thread to refer back to in other threads. When alkalinity is too high in new salt water or in a display tank, acid can be used to lower the alkalinity. You can easily use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), or sodium bifulfate (e.g...

www.reef2reef.com

Muriatic acid?

Can I use this to lower ALK in freshly mixed saltwater.? Do I just add a little bit at a time and test until it gets to the level I would like it?

www.reef2reef.com

Yep thanks Randy. I found the first post on sodium bisulfate and was a little confused due to my stupidity, not your explanation. I didn't see the second one until just now, which is more applicable to my situation. Reefing with ADHD is a little daunting sometimes. I try to do my best and not bother everyone with questions that have already been answered.

 

[Klyle]

I give recipes here:

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity in New Salt Water or in Display Tanks

I just want to record these calculations in their own thread to refer back to in other threads. When alkalinity is too high in new salt water or in a display tank, acid can be used to lower the alkalinity. You can easily use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), or sodium bifulfate (e.g...

www.reef2reef.com

Muriatic acid?

Can I use this to lower ALK in freshly mixed saltwater.? Do I just add a little bit at a time and test until it gets to the level I would like it?

www.reef2reef.com

With adequate aeration should I be able to bring the pH back up within 24 hrs?

 

[Wasabiroot]

Yep thanks Randy. I found the first post on sodium bisulfate and was a little confused due to my stupidity, not your explanation. I didn't see the second one until just now, which is more applicable to my situation. Reefing with ADHD is a little daunting sometimes. I try to do my best and not bother everyone with questions that have already been answered.

I've also dealt with ADD my entire life. It's never stupid to ask questions. Use the search bar first, but it would be far more stupid to just guess and not reach out for help.

 

[Klyle]

I've also dealt with ADD my entire life. It's never stupid to ask questions. Use the search bar first, but it would be far more stupid to just guess and not reach out for help.

Water, add salt, check salinity...SQUIRREL!