Low alk lvl please help

[Jake1]

I have a low alk lvl I have dosed alk ( brs 2 part) and it does not rise any also when I dose it comes out clear and when it hits tank water looks like flat white flakes. Is that normal?
Alk 5.3
Cal 460
Mag 1380
Ph 8.3

 

[ReAVeR]

Did you add enough soda ash? How old is your test kit?

 

[Jake1]

I didn't want it to raise to fast and shook the corals. I added 15ml and tested 30min later and it was the same.
Salifert test kits exp date 6-2017

 

[ReAVeR]

When you made the solution, how much soda ash did you add to the gallon storage container? Despite the flakes, are you getting a milky white consistency when you're adding it to a high flow area?

 

[Jake1]

I added the whole bag. It does make some milky white. I started to put it in my over flow and the flakes don't show up in my sump jest milky water.

 

[ReAVeR]

How many gallons is your system?

 

[Jake1]

Sorry should have said that to being with. I have a total of 65 gal. I know 15ml is not a lot but it should have raised it some right?

 

[ReAVeR]

A daily dosing solution works different than a concentrated one made to raise levels. According to BRS, you would need to add 171.7 ml to raise dKH from 5.3 to 9. This is why the 15ml you added didn't do anything. If you want to raise it slowly, divide 172 by the number of days you wish to take to raise it and adjust if needed.

 

[Jake1]

Ok thanks. If it was your tank would you add 171ml at one time or would you do it in a few day time

 

[ReAVeR]

No, I would dose another 70ml today and then another 85ml tomorrow. Just be sure to keep it above 8 from now on. no problem man

 

[Jake1]

It normally stays around 8.5 with bi weekly wc. I have only used the 2 part one time. I guess I need to start testing my fresh sw and see if my alk is low in that. I never had issues before but it could happen. Thanks a lot!

 

[beaslbob]

look at the diy two part in this stickie:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-chemistry-forum/39332-do-yourself-two-part-links.html

Sounds to me like you added too much and precipated calcium carbonate. IMHO you're lucky calcium is still up.

my .02