Pick Up an Apex El, PH Question

[Waffen06]

I picked up a new Apex El yesterday and still figuring it out. First thing I noticed is my PH was low 7.83. I want to raise it and was thinking of dosing kalk in my ato to also help my calcium numbers. How slowly should I raise it? To start I only added 1/2 tsp per gallon

 

[Montiman]

I would focus on alkalinity. If your alkalinity is stable and not declining then don't start adding Kalk. Only add kalk when you see an alkalinity drop and only enough to compensate for the tanks daily need. If your alkalinity starts to rise you are adding too much kalk. If it starts to drop then you need to add more.

7.8 is not a pH number to stress about. Just focus on alk and let the pH be what it may. The pH increase of kalk is a side benefit not the primary reason to use kalk.