need to raise my DKH...how?

[BluegrassReef]

been a long time since I needed to do this...how do i safely raise the DKH of my 40 breeder...tested last night and it was 8.5 trying to get to the 10 range....i will have to do this manuallly for awhile till I build a kalk reactor and get a ATO...I have the kalk and plenty of Ro/Di water on hand.

it's a 70ish gallon total system...

thanks

mike

 

[wicked demon]

superbuffer!

 

[ricwilli]

I usually use baking soda to raise alk. Since my Ph hovers around 8.1, I bake the baking soda first in the oven at 400 degrees for an hour. Than mix 2 1/4 of it with one gallon of rodi water. Baking it prevents Ph from going lower while dosing it.

 

[Troylee]

try brightwells reef code "b" youll love it....

 

[Mariner]

+1 what ricwilli said. If your pH is much higher than 8.3 you don't need to bake the baking soda.BTW, 8.5 dKH is not a bad number at all. 7 to 11 is the recommended range. I try to keep mine at 9 to 10.
HTH,
Mariner

 

[Murfman]

What is your calcium level at?

 

[BluegrassReef]

What is your calcium level at?

Around 480 if I remember correctly.

 

[aquafrags]

add baking soda, it will raise your dkh

 

[BluegrassReef]

ph was a little low at 7.8...guess i will cook some baking soda.

 

[Breakin Newz]

I usually use baking soda to raise alk. Since my Ph hovers around 8.1, I bake the baking soda first in the oven at 400 degrees for an hour. Than mix 2 1/4 of it with one gallon of rodi water. Baking it prevents Ph from going lower while dosing it.

Baking Soda is the best way to go! Trust me forget all those other labeled brands!

And Ric I still got ur frag here growing come whenever man! Or if worse comes to worse id drop it off..

 

[ricwilli]

Baking Soda is the best way to go! Trust me forget all those other labeled brands!

And Ric I still got ur frag here growing come whenever man! Or if worse comes to worse id drop it off..

Yeah, sorry about that. I will pass by tomorrow. Been pretty busy and keep forgetting.

 

[ReeferRob]

B soda all the way, never use boxed or bottle pH buffer.

 

[Mariner]

To find out exactly how much to add of your baked baking soda solution, go to 'Reef Chemistry Calculator FV' In the Alkalinity "Pick a Product" box, choose "Randy's Recipe 1 Alkalinity Part"
You're welcome,
Mariner

 

[tangdiver]

Baking soda, cheap way....just watch pH also. If pH, stays low then might be high CO2.

 

[BluegrassReef]

thanks guys the calculator that Mariner posted says I need to add 11 tsp of baking soda

 

[tangdiver]

sounds about right, the calculator...rules.

 

[BluegrassReef]

do I add that all at one time?

 

[Bio-nut]

I would do it over a day or two. remember some of it will used up trying to stabilize the alkalinity I would add half then test the tank a few hours later. do this until you have reach the desired level. just watch the calcium level keeping the alkalinity that high can lead to precipitating out the calcium.

 

[Murfman]

Bring your Ca down to about 450 and that will bring your alk up a little as well.