Low alkalinity question

[LoneWolfReefer]

I haven’t tested in a while, and tonight my alkalinity was sitting at 4.5 dkh. I tested multiple times to make sure.. Ph is sitting at 8.1.

I received the brs 2-part kit today hence the reason for testing. According to the brs alk calculator I need to dose 125ml of soda ash to the 50 gallon system to get to 8 dkh. I plan on doing this in 20ml doses over the next 3 days.

My question is should I use sodium bicarbonate instead of soda ash to avoid raising my ph too much? Or should I be fine with the soda ash?

 

[Spare time]

Bicarb is better for larger changes since it doesn't dramatically alter the pH and won't have the same precipitation issues. Soda ash is better dosed in smaller amounts or via a doser so that it doesn't all precipitate. Either works. You can raise it fairly quickly imo with either as long as they are dosed properly. I know brs says no more than 1.4KH a day increase, so you could go with that. The main thing for me would be to get to at least 7 and go from there.

 

[LoneWolfReefer]

Bicarb is better for larger changes since it doesn't dramatically alter the pH and won't have the same precipitation issues. Soda ash is better dosed in smaller amounts or via a doser so that it doesn't all precipitate. Either works. You can raise it fairly quickly imo with either as long as they are dosed properly. I know brs says no more than 1.4KH a day increase, so you could go with that. The main thing for me would be to get to at least 7 and go from there.

Roger that!