How to change alkalinity
- Thread starter FRANK48
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HD_Reefer
Active Member
First thing you should know....raise it slowly! Don't try to go from 6 to your target in one day. 0.1 to 0.2 changes in DKH per day are safe.
I use Fritz RPM
fritzaquatics.com
But you should read this first:
I use Fritz RPM
Fritz RPM Calcium Buffer System Pt. 1 Alkalinity
Fritz Aquatics' Fritz RPM Calcium Buffer System Pt. 1 Alkalinity was designed to help aquarists maintain the proper alkalinity and calcium balance.
fritzaquatics.com
But you should read this first:
OP
OP
FRANK48
Active Member
Is there a ready made mix i can get?First thing you should know....raise it slowly! Don't try to go from 6 to your target in one day. 0.1 to 0.2 changes in DKH per day are safe.
I use Fritz RPM
Fritz RPM Calcium Buffer System Pt. 1 Alkalinity
Fritz Aquatics' Fritz RPM Calcium Buffer System Pt. 1 Alkalinity was designed to help aquarists maintain the proper alkalinity and calcium balance.
But you should read this first:
HD_Reefer
Active Member
There are a million alk buffers you can pickup at your LFS or order online that, like the Fritz RPM, you dose directly to the water column. I don't know your filtration setup, but I would try and avoid dosing directly in the DT. Dose in your filter or sump so that the ALK can dilute before hitting a fish or coral directly.
OP
OP
FRANK48
Active Member
Should I only read the alkalinity part?
im a bit confused about the calcium stuff
That is a 2 part dosing system to supplement both alk and calcium. Since you aren't currently testing for calcium, which you should be if you have LPS/SPS coral, we are ignoring the calcium and just making up the alkalinity supplement. Mix about a cup of baking soda per gallon of water and dose. Start with a small amount, I have no idea your tank size or alkalinity uptake, and measure daily. Adjust daily dosing volume as needed.
If you start testing calcium and find that you need to supplement, then dosing Kalkwasser would be the easiest/cheapest way to go until your demand exceeds it, then you can move onto 2-part or other methods.
MERKEY
Cronies
Lots of good info here for You!
Since your really not testing all the time, and until you really start dosing.
You can always just buy a salt mix with a higher alk that you want and slowly over time your alk will raise to the level your salt mixes at.
Once you get your alk to where you want it with just salt you will have a good base line and know everytime you change your water, your tank should read close to the salt mix level.
Then you can start monitoring how much alk and cal is used on a daily average.
This should give you an idea of how much 2 part or just alk you want to dose. Or if Kalkwrasser is good enough to keep up the levels then that would be excellent.
Since your really not testing all the time, and until you really start dosing.
You can always just buy a salt mix with a higher alk that you want and slowly over time your alk will raise to the level your salt mixes at.
Once you get your alk to where you want it with just salt you will have a good base line and know everytime you change your water, your tank should read close to the salt mix level.
Then you can start monitoring how much alk and cal is used on a daily average.
This should give you an idea of how much 2 part or just alk you want to dose. Or if Kalkwrasser is good enough to keep up the levels then that would be excellent.
