How fast to raise alkalinity to 9

[Stephen8169301]

I need to raise my dkh I’m sitting at 5.9 dkh I’d like to be at 9 how fast can I get this up to that target?

I use Hanna checker
I’ve just started dosing Red Sea alk only

My cal 450+
Mag1500+

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

I need to raise my dkh I’m sitting at 5.9 dkh I’d like to be at 9 how fast can I get this up to that target?

I use Hanna checker
I’ve just started dosing Red Sea alk only

My cal 450+
Mag1500+

Opinions will vary on this, but to me it depends on what coral you have, as sps are the least forgiving in alk swings.

 

[Stephen8169301]

Opinions will vary on this, but to me it depends on what coral you have, as sps are the least forgiving in alk swings.

I have sps lps

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

I have sps lps

I think 1 dkh a week should be okay. I'd monitor the coral and your other parameters. Here's a thread to view as well.
Thread 'How much can I raise my alk in one day?' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-much-can-i-raise-my-alk-in-one-day.251652/

 

[Miami Reef]

Why is your calcium and magnesium so high compared to alkalinity?

I would double check those results. What test kits are you using?

 

[Stephen8169301]

Why is your calcium and magnesium so high compared to alkalinity?

I would double check those results. What test kits are you using?

Salifert
Hanna for alk

 

[Stephen8169301]

Why is your calcium and magnesium so high compared to alkalinity?

It’s always been this way and I’m not sure why

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

With lower alk, the calcium will be higher. It should lower as alk is added.

 

[Stephen8169301]

I think 1 dkh a week should be okay. I'd monitor the coral and your other parameters. Here's a thread to view as well.
Thread 'How much can I raise my alk in one day?' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-much-can-i-raise-my-alk-in-one-day.251652/

I tried dosing Red Sea and it raised up to 6.2. The next smday back to 5.9 the same day

 

[Stephen8169301]

With lower alk, the calcium will be higher. It should lower as alk is added.

This is good to know!

 

[Miami Reef]

Did you ever dose magnesium? If not, I highly suspect there was a testing error for it.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

This is good to know!

@Randy Holmes-Farley is the expert, and can explain the relationships between them all and give you a better idea for alk dosing.

 

[Stephen8169301]

Did you ever dose magnesium? If not, I highly suspect there was a testing error for it.

Never only alk and that was yesterday and the day before

 

[Miami Reef]

Never only alk and that was yesterday and the day before

Magnesium tests are prone to reading abnormally high as a testing error. I would ensure you preformed the test properly.

You can raise your alkalinity with this calculator:

Alkalinity Supplement Calculator - Bulk Reef Supply

Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies for Reef Tanks

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Does 5.9 alk sound reasonable to you? I mean, did you retest? When is the last time you did water change? Is the tank full of corals? What kind of salt do you use?

Just asking cause all of these have an effect on alk, we don't know your tank, and thats a huge alk shift you want to do. Its even suspicious that it got to 5.9.

First thing is to be triple sure its the right thing to do.

 

[twentyleagues]

Does 5.9 alk sound reasonable to you? I mean, did you retest? When is the last time you did water change? Is the tank full of corals? What kind of salt do you use?

Just asking cause all of these have an effect on alk, we don't know your tank, and thats a huge alk shift you want to do. Its even suspicious that it got to 5.9.

First thing is to be triple sure its the right thing to do.

I agree. What salt, when was last water change, what are the parameters of a fresh batch of saltwater, what size tank, how much coral and what kind?

 

[Stephen8169301]

Does 5.9 alk sound reasonable to you?

No I need higher

I mean, did you retest?

6 times

When is the last time you did water change?

I do 5 gal weekly every Friday

Is the tank full of corals?

Very full of sps lps and soft

What kind of salt do you use?

Instant ocean reef crystals

Just asking cause all of these have an effect on alk, we don't know your tank, and thats a huge alk shift you want to do. It’s even suspicious that it got to 5.9.

what would make it suspicious?

First thing is to be triple sure it’s the right thing to do.

It’s needed for sure

 

[Stephen8169301]

I agree. What salt, when was last water change, what are the parameters of a fresh batch of saltwater

I’ve done this in the past threads but now with me having more sps it’s needed

, what size tank,

33 long displacement about 25 gal

how much coral and what kind?

A lot sps lps soft first pic in build thread

 

[gbroadbridge]

Just asking cause all of these have an effect on alk, we don't know your tank, and thats a huge alk shift you want to do. Its even suspicious that it got to 5.9.

I'm interested why is 5.9 suspicious?

My tank sits at 8.0, but if my doser stops, the tank will drop to 5.0 in one day.

 

[twentyleagues]

I’ve done this in the past threads but now with me having more sps it’s needed

33 long displacement about 25 gal

A lot sps lps soft first pic in build thread

It's a nice looking tank! But I don't see anything that should be sucking up that much alk. I didn't see any of the other thread (at least I don't remember I'm old). Can you please repost the salt type and parameters of fresh mix?