Low Alk help, how much baking soda to dose?

[RedG]

Hi all, I recently added some beginner corals and my Alk has drop to 5 I need to raise it quickly slowly. I have use the calculator and it says I need 69 grams.
My question is how much should I add a day and how many times? Sorry for the noob questions but the calculator does not specified.
Tank volume 150G current ALK 5 would like to get to around 9

thanks

 

[RedG]

I used the BRS calculator as well, the recommend one cup and two table spoons mixed in a gallon and I would need like 29 ounces.

if I do this method how much of the 29 ounces should be dose a day and how frequent?

 

[redfishbluefish]

OK, it looks like you're using Randy Holmes Farley DIY two part Recipe 2 for alkalinity..... 1 1/8 cups baking soda to one gallon of DI water.

That said, a dKh of 5 is very low, especially if you've just recently added corals. How are you testing for alk? What corals did you add and how big were they? Assuming your number is correct, I'd slowly add your alk solution over three to four days, testing shortly after adding each day. So around 7 - 9 ounces per day.

 

[RedG]

Thanks for the quick reply, added 4 small Zoa groups, one small GSP, one small pulsing Xenia.
Testing with RedSea test kit.
The 7-9 ounces would you dose all at once? Or multiple times a day?

 

[redfishbluefish]

The corals mentioned are soft corals and do not consume alk or calc.

I believe you're seeing testing error. If I'm not mistaken, with Red Sea kits, you need to take the syringe reading and subtract that from 1. As an example, if the syringe shows 0.3, you subtract that from 1 to get a reading of 0.7.

 

[Greg P]

I wouldn't raise it by more than 1dKH per day. Re-use the calculator to find a close amount to go from say 5 to 6. Add that amount over an hour. 30 minutes later test and record. 24 hours later test. Keep dosing to raise 1 point per day.

Most likely the Alk is being consumed by that dry rock/sand

 

[redfishbluefish]

 

[dedragon]

it could be getting taken up by other things like coraline algae. for dosing i recommend 2 part or even just all for reef powder for lower uptake tanks because it is an all in one solution

 

[Greg P]

I believe you're seeing testing error. If I'm not mistaken, with Red Sea kits, you need to take the syringe reading and subtract that from 1. As an example, if the syringe shows 0.3, you subtract that from 1 to get a reading of 0.7.

@RedG
Can we get a test kit confirmation?

 

[RedG]

Yes I’m using RedSea I just dose 6 ounces from the gallon mix. Will retest again in 30 mins and report back

 

[dedragon]

i think alk takes longer than that to become testable, accurately

 

[Greg P]

Yes I’m using RedSea I just dose 6 ounces from the gallon mix. Will retest again in 30 mins and report back

What I am hoping to see is a test result from the new mix container, not the DT

 

[Greg P]

If you're dealing with a good batch of Coral Pro, the bucket is rolled/mixed well prior to first use, and properly mixed with freshwater, you should be seeing tests in the neighborhood of the advertised #s;
35ppt/approx 1.026Sg 12dKH 465Ca and 1390Mag

Sg and PPT can be subjective and affected by temp. Just pick a salinity test method for your temp and stick with it.

 

[RedG]

What I am hoping to see is a test result from the new mix container, not the DT

From the mix gallon, the mix of RODI water and baking soda?

 

[Greg P]

From the mix gallon, the mix of RODI water and baking soda?

Nope, the freshly made saltwater.
Testing a new batch of mixed saltwater before adding it to your DT is a good habit.
What are the Big 3 tests on the new water?

Trying to confirm both your testing methods and your salt mix

This will hopefully get us to why your Alk is still low after all your dosing and WCs

 

[Greg P]

Nope, the freshly made saltwater.
Testing a new batch of mixed saltwater before adding it to your DT is a good habit.
What are the Big 3 tests on the new water?

Trying to confirm both your testing methods and your salt mix

This will hopefully get us to why your Alk is still low after all your dosing and WCs

Sorry, mixing up Threads. Your's has nothing to do with WCs or Red Sea Coral Pro Salt.
My apologies !!

 

[saltyfins]

Hi all, I recently added some beginner corals and my Alk has drop to 5 I need to raise it quickly slowly. I have use the calculator and it says I need 69 grams.
My question is how much should I add a day and how many times? Sorry for the noob questions but the calculator does not specified.
Tank volume 150G current ALK 5 would like to get to around 9

thanks

I use 2 tsp in a 1/2 glass of water....go all day with a smidge here, and there. SLOWLY...

 

[Greg P]

For test kit confirmation, after 30 mins (plenty enough time with in-tank pumps) your test kit should show the expected elevated result.
Please report back, and sorry for the confusion

 

[Dburr1014]

Thanks for the quick reply, added 4 small Zoa groups, one small GSP, one small pulsing Xenia.
Testing with RedSea test kit.
The 7-9 ounces would you dose all at once? Or multiple times a day?

With red sea test kit to get a reading of 5 you would have had a .38 reading. That would be 5.32 DKH... Is this correct what you read?

 

[RedG]

Please report back, and sorry for the confusion

Just tested used .46 of the Tritant which put it at a dKh of 6.4