High Calcium, Low Alkalinity & Perfect PH

[drstratton]

I just checked my calcium & alkalinity for the first time today. I'm hoping to place my coral into the tank in the next couple of weeks and want to make sure everything is where it's supposed to be. Right now my tank has 2 fish, 1 starfish, snails and crabs!

I just bought a Hanna alkalinity checker and used it for the first time.

Calcium 600 30 drops (API)
Alkalinity 6.104 109 x 0.056 (math correct?)
PH 8.2

I'm using Reef Crystals!

Thank you!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd look to boost the alkalinity, and baking soda would be a fine way to go.

 

[drstratton]

I'd look to boost the alkalinity, and baking soda would be a fine way to go.

Thank you! So me being new how do I do that exactly? I'm sure you've posted this elsewhere, so please forgive me! When I get the alk where it needs to be, will that help with the high calcium? I'm running about 105g total in my system! Thank you!

 

[ReefMadScientist]

@drstratton

What is your Magnesium at? That is a balance between Ca and Alk.

 

[drstratton]

I blew it! I don't have a Magnesium test. I will have to order one. Which would you suggest? In the meantime how would I go about raising it?

 

[drstratton]

I just looked at Randy's reef chemistry calculators, so I will follow the recommendations from that! I'm trying for 10dkh, does that sound correct?

I just received my Neptune DDR, but have no idea how to use it. Hopefully by the end of the day, I will have it figured out! I don't have an APEX controller yet, so I will have to set it up manually.

Reef Chemistry Calculators link for future reference:

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

 

[ReefMadScientist]

I blew it! I don't have a Magnesium test. I will have to order one. Which would you suggest? In the meantime how would I go about raising it?

No worries. Just think of Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium as a See-Saw. Calcium is on one end, Alkalinity is on the other, as Magnesium is the middle between the two....to help balance Ca and Kh.

As for the test, I use Salifert as its the easiest for me to see and read. I have the Red Sea kit but I have a hard time seeing the color change.

I just looked at Randy's reef chemistry calculators, so I will follow the recommendations from that! I trying for 10dkh, does that sound correct?

Link for future reference:


http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

I am always against "aiming" for a certain number, but rather a range. It depends on your coral setup and how your tank reacts to the increased elements. For example, I know my tank does well between 8-10dkh. I try to keep my Alk around the 8.5 range to help with any sudden increases or decreases.

This is another good calculator.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator

 

[drstratton]

Thank you! That's a great explanation! I haven't placed any coral in my tank yet, I have 3 Paly's, 5 Zoa's, 1 Blue Sympodium, 1 GSP and Clove polyps that will be put in my tank in a couple of weeks. I just want to make sure I have a basic understanding of the chemistry beforehand!

I will get a Salifert test ordered!

Thanks again!

 

[twilliard]

Hi Rene!
Did you test your ALK more than once?

 

[drstratton]

Hi Todd! I didn't. I watched a video on using the Hanna checker and I'm pretty sure that I did it correctly. I can do it again if you think that would be helpful! Thanks!

 

[twilliard]

I would double check it just to make sure. I am in a habit of checking twice.
Hope where you are is not snowing!
It has been trying all day here

 

[twilliard]

Also I have a gallon each of two part I can give you since I switched to triton

 

[drstratton]

I'll run it again! I do have a question about it though just to make sure. When I watched the Hannah video they said to draw the syringe all of the way up to 0 another one said 1ml. Like so!

 

[twilliard]

You want to draw that to the last gradiant

 

[twilliard]

Sorry this thing doesn't take the best pictures

 

[drstratton]

Also I have a gallon each of two part I can give you since I switched to triton

That would be awesome! Thank you!!! I'm trying to figure out how to set up my DDR unit without any electronics and I must admit I have no idea how. I think it will be easier for me to just use my dosing pump and another container! I don't know anything about dosing as I've never done it before.

 

[drstratton]

Sorry this thing doesn't take the best pictures

I did it wrong! Okay, I will go retest and see what I get! Thanks!!!

 

[twilliard]

It will look like this when filled

 

[twilliard]

I did it wrong! Okay, I will go retest and see what I get! Thanks!!!

Any day that's what I am here for.. to help others

 

[drstratton]

That took it up to 110! So 110 0.056 = 6.16