Maintain pH minimalistically

[Alex F]

Hi all!
Yet another maintaining pH thread!

Biocube 29
Alk 8.4 dropping about 0.2 dKH every day
Calc 410
pH 7.9 low, 8.25 high
Skimmerless setup
Chaeto in back area on reverse schedule lit by a Chatomax.
Kept windows open with success
Using airstone in back "sump" area with windows closed now

I'd like to get rid of the airstone and keep my windows closed.

My alk consumption is fairly steady.
My calcium was steady (recently added a stylo, bonsai, and digi) but am anticipating needing dosing for that as well.

NOW!!!
I've added kalk to my ato.
Planning to use this to maintain my alk, calcium, and pH.

My question for the experts is:
With my co2 build up in the tank/home obviously present, is it ok to maintain my chemistry this way?
Will the excess co2 be taken care of via the kalk ato?

I seem to have remembered reading that kalk will interact with co2 in the tank.
Can't find that reading...

Any suggestions? Criticisms?

Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That demand for alk is very low (many tanks have 10x that amount), so the ability to dose limewater (kalkwasser) is likewise low, and the pH boost will then be low.

Is it enough? Maybe. But it isn't much.

Yes, the hydroxide added in limewater combines with CO2 to form bicarbonate:

OH- + CO2 --> HCO3-

 

[Alex F]

Ok, awesome.

So I might've jumped the gun eh?

I was trying to automate this setup so I didn't have to manually dose.
That as well as extract the co2.

I put in 7.5 grams kalk into 20 liters (half teaspoon per gallon.
Will have to monitor my chemistry in case I added the kalk preemptively.

Thanks again

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok, awesome.

So I might've jumped the gun eh?

I was trying to automate this setup so I didn't have to manually dose.
That as well as extract the co2.

I put in 7.5 grams kalk into 20 liters (half teaspoon per gallon.
Will have to monitor my chemistry in case I added the kalk preemptively.

Thanks again

My concern is rising alkalinity. Watch it closely.

In 29 gallons, if you add 190 mL per day of saturated limewater (1.5 g limewater per L of RO/DI), you will match that 0.2 dKH per day.

 

[infinite0180]

Following here. Not trying to derail the thread but i have similar question relating to this.

Similar setup to the OP but no coral yet. Want to try my hand at some lps, particularly some acans... i was thinking kalk in my ato is a good solution as well. My questions are these. Should i use water changes to get the levels where i want them before adding coral and kalk? Do i add coral and immediately start dosing the ato with kalk? Can i start adding kalk before coral? I use plain IO salt and rodi. I have not tested calc and alk yet but will be getting test kits asap. I guess im just confused as to the best way to go about doing this. Any insite helps, trying to come up with a plan asap so i can get a coral or two!

Again, sorry to highjack the thread, just figured it was better to keep discussion going here rather than starting a new thread.

Thank you

 

[Alex F]

The kalk can be used to maintain, not to balance or "catch up" on one parameter or the other.

You need to monitor your parameters first.



But yes, will do Randy.
I'll see how this recent modification goes.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Following here. Not trying to derail the thread but i have similar question relating to this.

Similar setup to the OP but no coral yet. Want to try my hand at some lps, particularly some acans... i was thinking kalk in my ato is a good solution as well. My questions are these. Should i use water changes to get the levels where i want them before adding coral and kalk? Do i add coral and immediately start dosing the ato with kalk? Can i start adding kalk before coral? I use plain IO salt and rodi. I have not tested calc and alk yet but will be getting test kits asap. I guess im just confused as to the best way to go about doing this. Any insite helps, trying to come up with a plan asap so i can get a coral or two!

Again, sorry to highjack the thread, just figured it was better to keep discussion going here rather than starting a new thread.

Thank you

What is the alk and calcium now?

 

[infinite0180]

What is the alk and calcium now?

Dont know yet. Just trying to come up with a plan. Was planning on going to LFS tomorrow and coming home with test kits for alk and calc. I do know my pH has been pretty steady at about 8.1. Ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, and nitrates about 15 all using API. Tank is 2 months old. Two juvie clowns happily enjoying the tank after QT. Weekly 20-25% WC schedule. I have calibrated pH meter at work available. Been meaning to take a sample with me and get an accurate reading because API is tough.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Dont know yet. Just trying to come up with a plan. Was planning on going to LFS tomorrow and coming home with test kits for alk and calc. I do know my pH has been pretty steady at about 8.1. Ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, and nitrates about 15 all using API. Tank is 2 months old. Two juvie clowns happily enjoying the tank after QT. Weekly 20-25% WC schedule. I have calibrated pH meter at work available. Been meaning to take a sample with me and get an accurate reading because API is tough.

You can raise alk with limewater , but not calcium because alk will jump too high.

The alk and calcium likely reflect the salt mix in your situation, and are probably plenty high. What mix?

 

[infinite0180]

You can raise alk with limewater , but not calcium because alk will jump too high.

The alk and calcium likely reflect the salt mix in your situation, and are probably plenty high. What mix?

Ok thats what i was unsure of. I use plain old IO salt mix at 35ppt. So it sounds like this is the idea; buy alk and calc kit, test and see if they are in check, then add coral, continue to test daily. Maybe WC will be all i need? Maybe move to another option like kalk as it unfolds?

Sound good?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok thats what i was unsure of. I use plain old IO salt mix at 35ppt. So it sounds like this is the idea; buy alk and calc kit, test and see if they are in check, then add coral, continue to test daily. Maybe WC will be all i need? Maybe move to another option like kalk as it unfolds?

Sound good?

Yes, although daily testing likely is excessive. Alk twice a week at the start , calcium 1-2 weeks between tests.

IO is a bit low on calcium and that might need a boost (use calcium chloride).

Alk is likely plenty high and I would not add any limewater unless and until the alkalinity drops to your target or lower.

 

[infinite0180]

Yes, although daily testing likely is excessive. Alk twice a week at the start , calcium 1-2 weeks between tests.

IO is a bit low on calcium and that might need a boost (use calcium chloride).

Alk is likely plenty high and I would not add any limewater unless and until the alkalinity drops to your target or lower.

Awesome, thanks for the help

 

[infinite0180]

So this weekend i got a ricordea frag and a buddy gave me a frogspawn frag. They are both doing well. I ordered the red sea pro multi test kit and it came in today. I had a chance to grab my Alk and Cal but not Mag yet.
Alk - 7.84
Cal - 375
Thus far i have been only doing 25% WC. Do you think i need to up the frequency? Should i just let the tank ride with these numbers and see if it stays stable?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd make a one time boost to calcium to 420 ppm (which is expected using IO). I do not think you need to test especially very frequently.

 

[infinite0180]

I'd make a one time boost to calcium to 420 ppm (which is expected using IO). I do not think you need to test especially very frequently.

Thanks. I plan on slowly adding more lps. Any benefit to maintaining slightly higher Alk as well?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks. I plan on slowly adding more lps. Any benefit to maintaining slightly higher Alk as well?

I don't know what limits LPS growth rates. It might be alk, but I've never seen data to support it.

 

[Alex F]

Hey there again,

After some tracking, and using the calculator...
https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/KalkContribution.php
(also, my tank is 20g, not 29g)

My new solution that I've made up, 30g in 20l, is almost up to full saturation and with a 0.66l/day contribution using an ATO, I'm dosing 1.01dKH/day.

My alk is still dropping another 0.1dKH per day.


Checking the calculator, a max saturated solution would only give me 1.06dKH/day when it looks like I need 1.1dKH/day.

It is pretty close, but it looks like I'll be running deficient.
Now what?...

Looks like my evap rate isn't enough to solely use the ATO :/