How exactly to raise alk

[Kmsutows]

My alk is 6.7 (was 6.4) a few days ago. I did a water change with coral pro and adding buffer to top off. 150 gal tank plus eshopps sump. Here is what I have available. If someone could tell me exact amounts to add it would be much appreciated. I had hoped to never need to dose and just do water changes but this is what I have

 

[Brett]

Dosing to get the levels you want consistently over time takes some time and patience...it is unlikely you'd be able to rely on water changes to maintain a stable Alk level. If you're keeping SPS, then stability is paramount. If your keeping softies/LPS, they can handle the swings in Alk a little better.

But if you want instant gratification....this calculator might meet your needs...but I caution you against raising Alk too fast...
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator

Keep in mind that how much you need to dose on a regular basis depends on the tank's demand.

 

[Kmsutows]

I have lots of sps. Can the components I have be used?

 

[Kmsutows]

In other words... Can either A be used with the B that I have in the pic? Can the buffer be added to raise alk alone?

 

[ReeferBee]

The super buffer and reef foundation B will raise your dkh. While reef foundation A raises calcium.

Also the link provided for the BRS calculator by @Brett only applies to their, BRS, additives and won't help with your redsea two part.

Go by the recommendation on the bottles until you have raised your tanks DKH level to where you want it. Go slow here and do not exceed .5 - 1 dkh a day when raising it. Test daily, needs to be around the same time, until you figure out how much your tank uses in 24 hours. From there dose accordingly to keep calcium and alkalinty levels stable. HTH

 

[Kmsutows]

Ok so I have determined I need to add ~100ml of reef foundation B to raise my alk ~.5dKH... Do I have to add an A and C (don't have C) in order to balance pH? Or can I just add the 100ml of B?

 

[Brett]

Also the link provided for the BRS calculator by @Brett only applies to their, BRS, additives and won't help with your redsea two part.

Go by the recommendation on the bottles until you have raised your tanks DKH level to where you want it. Go slow here and do not exceed .5 - 1 dkh a day when raising it. Test daily, needs to be around the same time, until you figure out how much your tank uses in 24 hours. From there dose accordingly to keep calcium and alkalinty levels stable. HTH

That's correct re: the BRS calculator...good point...I was thinking the "Super BUffer dKh" as just kalkwasser....

 

[Brett]

Ok so I have determined I need to add ~100ml of reef foundation B to raise my alk ~.5dKH... Do I have to add an A and C (don't have C) in order to balance pH? Or can I just add the 100ml of B?

The "C" is Magnesium in the "reef foundations" kit. Mg helps add stability to your calcium because both calcium and alkalinity are attracted (via positive ions I believe) which causes carbonate to form (if you see a lot of white deposits on the shafts of your motors/pumps or anywhere, good sign Mg is too low). Mg prevents these two elements from easily bonding, therefore stabilizing calcium/alk and allowing corals to more easily uptake Ca.

You don't have to add C to start, but you will want to start adding soon. I find that Mg levels between 1250-1400 to work good for me.

 

[Kmsutows]

Thank you for the help!

 

[Kmsutows]

I dosed HALF what was recommended for raising 0.5dKH and it raised it ~0.7! Man am I glad I didn't add the full amount

 

[ReeferBee]

I thought 100ml sounded like a lot to raise .5 dkh