pH spike with kalk in ATO

[Xandernfs]

I usually get an alert from my Apex that my pH is too high (~8.45) when my ATO kicks on. I have kalk in my ATO. Is this normal? I'm adding 1tsp per gallon.

 

[Auto-pilot]

What is your alkalinity at???

 

[BestMomEver]

I tried kalkwasser in my ATO but I found it was too unreliable. My tank evaporates water differently at different times so I could never count on a steady amount of kalk going in.

 

[dwest]

I usually get an alert from my Apex that my pH is too high (~8.45) when my ATO kicks on. I have kalk in my ATO. Is this normal? I'm adding 1tsp per gallon.

It’s going to depend on the rate and amount of kalk relative to your total tank volume. If your tank’s pH comes back down to an acceptable value, then you could figure out how to add kalk slower if you wanted.

How high does your pH get to when kalk is added? If it’s around 8.45 then I don’t believe it’s a problem.

I add my kalk via a liter meter 3 system, semi continuously all day long. Then let my ato handle the rest with rodi water (my kalk is saturated). This is something you can do if the pH swings are too large for your system. It’s likely fine just as is IMO, as long as your alkalinity is relatively stable.

 

[Xandernfs]

What is your alkalinity at???

I keep it around 8.5-9.5.

 

[Auto-pilot]

Your alkalinity swings a little much, I wouldn't consider it super stable. If I were you I would be paying attention to the alkalinity and keeping it stable and not worry as much about the ph. The ph doesn't seem excessive to me.

 

[Xandernfs]

Your alkalinity swings a little much, I wouldn't consider it super stable. If I were you I would be paying attention to the alkalinity and keeping it stable and not worry as much about the ph. The ph doesn't seem excessive to me.

I'm manually dosing and making an attempt to keep it more stable. I do know that I lose 1.0dkh per day and that I need to dose 13.3ml daily to keep it stable. I'm thinking about ditching the kalk soon and going to a manual doser.

 

[Auto-pilot]

I'm manually dosing and making an attempt to keep it more stable. I do know that I lose 1.0dkh per day and that I need to dose 13.3ml daily to keep it stable. I'm thinking about ditching the kalk soon and going to a manual doser.

I dose about 1/2 tsp of Naoh for my alkalinity every day. I just mix it with water and put it in the sump so it's adds it to the tank a little slower. I just know that that's what my tank uses approx every day. Probably like 4ppmish or .3 dkh I think. Manual dosing isn't the worst, it just takes a lot more work than having it done auto. I am building a reef Pi to do it for me soon. Sometimes manual dosing really gets you in "tune" with your tank and it's needs

 

[Xandernfs]

I dose about 1/2 tsp of Naoh for my alkalinity every day. I just mix it with water and put it in the sump so it's adds it to the tank a little slower. I just know that that's what my tank uses approx every day. Probably like 4ppmish or .3 dkh I think. Manual dosing isn't the worst, it just takes a lot more work than having it done auto. I am building a reef Pi to do it for me soon. Sometimes manual dosing really gets you in "tune" with your tank and it's needs

I agree. Manual dosing is getting to be a PITA since I will be going out of town and the person taking care of the tank will have to do it. I also feel that with evaporation slowing down I'll be playing the guessing game since I won't top off as much.