low alk with new tester

[Azedenkae]

well that's true. however if Hanna and Red Sea are the same, it's still far too low. right? and with calcium above 500 something is wrong here.

Yes everything points to your Hanna + Red Sea test kits giving the more 'correct' reading, because yeah based on the idea that the Salifert test kit somehow don't read like a normal chemical tiltration test, then yeah it should be lower than what the Salifert reads. So anways yeah it is low and needs dosing or something, if your corals don't look so good.

But though, also check Magnesium. A high enough Mg concentration 'stabilizes' alkalinity and calc: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

So if Mg goes too low, that could also be a cause of the lower alkalinity.

 

[saltyfins]

0.25 dKh per dose is nice and slow. 1dKH per day is well in the safe zone.

honestly, I dont know how to make that happen...

 

[arking_mark]

honestly, I dont know how to make that happen...

Reef calculator plus baking soda.

 

[saltyfins]

Reef calculator plus baking soda.

correct. but I mean, do I mix it up and do a small bit at a time, etc.. like mix a gallon of water, add soda then slowly add the mix?

 

[arking_mark]

correct. but I mean, do I mix it up and do a small bit at a time, etc..

You can just mix the baking soda in RO/DI water and dose by hand or dosing pump.

 

[saltyfins]

You can just mix the baking soda in RO/DI water and dose by hand or dosing pump.

how much would I dose at a time?

 

[Reef.]

I didn't give you a simple "you're wrong." I explained why. To quote myself, "When you perform a titration, you go to the endpoint." Any chemistry textbook will agree.

you said I was wrong with my contention that the end point is when the test solution turns lavender, you saying the end point is "you go to the end point" is hardy explaining why I was wrong

 

[arking_mark]

how much would I dose at a time?

Here is how I've done it in the past:
1. Let's say I need to go from 6.5dKH to 7.5dakH on my 400l tank.
2. Reef calculator tells me I need 2.5tsp
3. I take 1 cup of RO/DI water and mix in the baking soda
4. 1/4 cup would dose .25dKH for my tank.
5. Add 1/4 cup to high flow area
6. Repeat several hours apart till all gone

I usually just hook it up to my Versa and slowly dose the whole amout evenly throughout the day.

 

[Reef.]

how much would I dose at a time?

Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

[LegendaryCG]

you said I was wrong with my contention that the end point is when the test solution turns lavender, you saying the end point is "you go to the end point" is hardy explaining why I was wrong

Again, consistently doing the test the same way is vastly more important than the individual number.

 

[Reef.]

Again, consistently doing the test the same way is vastly more important than the individual number.

I agree, but for a new reefer, a good ball park reading is very useful that is somewhat correct, with experience you can go with an incorrect reading and adjust but at the start its not that helpful to just say it's all about stability, especially what the tests the OP is using will give very acceptable results.

Far easier in many cases to tell the person how to carry out the test correctly than to say just to go for a consistent reading.

 

[arking_mark]

I agree, but for a new reefer, a good ball park reading is very useful that is somewhat correct, with experience you can go with an incorrect reading and adjust but at the start its not that helpful to just say it's all about stability, especially what the tests the OP is using will give very acceptable results.

Far easier in many cases to tell the person how to carry out the test correctly than to say just to go for a consistent reading.

I recommend baselining your tank with an ICP test.

 

[Azedenkae]

I agree, but for a new reefer, a good ball park reading is very useful that is somewhat correct, with experience you can go with an incorrect reading and adjust but at the start its not that helpful to just say it's all about stability, especially what the tests the OP is using will give very acceptable results.

Far easier in many cases to tell the person how to carry out the test correctly than to say just to go for a consistent reading.

I agree with this.

Consistency is great, but if one can, consistency within the 'right' values is even better.

 

[Reef.]

I agree with this.

Consistency is great, but if one can, consistency within the 'right' values is even better.

exactly!

if the OP followed the consistency rule, their tank would be very low in alk if they went with the 8kh reading and the tank was only at 6kh!
They would then up their alk to 10 or 11 after maybe killing a few corals and inverts, when it would be so easy to just tell them how to get a fairly accurate KH reading to start with, so missing out on running their tank at a low 6kh for a period of time.

 

[arking_mark]

exactly!

if the OP followed the consistency rule, their tank would be very low in alk if they went with the 8kh reading and the tank was only at 6kh!
They would then up their alk to 10 or ll after maybe killing a few corals and inverts, when it would be so easy to just tell them how to get a fairly accurate KH reading to start with, so missing out on running their tank at a low 6kh for a period of time.

Triple-check before you believe any observations or make any changes to your tank

The 12 Commandments of Reef Keeping

Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank Triple-check before you believe any observations or make any changes to your tank Only make one change at a time in your reef tank Use the right tool for the right job Only dose what you can test for Don't chase #s, chase stability. When altering the...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[saltyfins]

Here is how I've done it in the past:
1. Let's say I need to go from 6.5dKH to 7.5dakH on my 400l tank.
2. Reef calculator tells me I need 2.5tsp
3. I take 1 cup of RO/DI water and mix in the baking soda
4. 1/4 cup would dose .25dKH for my tank.
5. Add 1/4 cup to high flow area
6. Repeat several hours apart till all gone

I usually just hook it up to my Versa and slowly dose the whole amout evenly throughout the day.

sounds great. that was mostly my concern, is doing too much or not enough. Thank You so much!

 

[saltyfins]

Again, consistently doing the test the same way is vastly more important than the individual number.

yes. I agree, and I am trying to make the switch to all hanna. wish they had a mag tester

 

[saltyfins]

Thank You all so much! I really appreciate it. I will probably need to start thinking about a dosing system...as I have been doing this quite a while...15 yrs, but only really had softies. Now that I am growing out a bit harder corals, I see that this is going to need to happen sooner, rather than later.

 

[Reef.]

yes. I agree, and I am trying to make the switch to all hanna. wish they had a mag tester

many people don't rate all tests in Hanna, alk and PO4 many would agree with and I would say their PO4 checker is a must but the rest I would not be thinking Hanna is the gold standard in tests, far from it.

 

[saltyfins]

many people don't rate all tests in Hanna, alk and PO4 many would agree with and I would say their PO4 checker is a must but the rest I would not be thinking Hanna is the gold standard in tests, far from it.

I only have the Alk, and the pH as I cannot tell the colors well enough.