Soluability of Alkalinity Additive

[Tennsquire]

I dose 2-part via timed peristaltic pumps. The alk part seems to settle out of solution somewhat in the gallon container that I use to mix it. I have put an airstone in the container in an effort to keep it stirred up a bit; the airstone comes on when the pump comes on. The dose pump is on about an hour twice a day.

Any harm in doing this (using the airstone)? Any way to keep it mixed better (other than maybe getting a bigger container that I can drop a small powerhead into)?

Thanks!

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

What two part system are you using? Is it a sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate supplement?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I dose 2-part via timed peristaltic pumps. The alk part seems to settle out of solution somewhat in the gallon container that I use to mix it. I have put an airstone in the container in an effort to keep it stirred up a bit; the airstone comes on when the pump comes on. The dose pump is on about an hour twice a day.

Any harm in doing this (using the airstone)? Any way to keep it mixed better (other than maybe getting a bigger container that I can drop a small powerhead into)?

Thanks!

If it is sodium carbonate (soda ash), aeration will decrease the solubility and lower the pH, so it wouldn't be desirable.

 

[Tennsquire]

Seachem's Reefbuilder. Which (according to Seachem) Contains carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate salts of sodium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and potassium.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Don't aerate it.

How did you decide how much water to dissolve it in?

I suspect their ingredient list is intended to mislead, but if there really is significant calcium, magnesium, and strontium in it, those will all precipitate out. If it is a small amount of solids, ignore it.

https://www.seachem.com/reef-builder.php
"Contains carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate salts of sodium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and potassium. Each gram contains a minimum of 12 meq of alkalinity."

 

[rkpetersen]

Any way to keep it mixed better (other than maybe getting a bigger container that I can drop a small powerhead into)?

Thanks!

I use these; they are awesome.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I use these; they are awesome.

You keep a two part solution mixing 24/7?

 

[Tennsquire]

Don't aerate it.

How did you decide how much water to dissolve it in?

I suspect their ingredient list is intended to mislead, but if there really is significant calcium, magnesium, and strontium in it, those will all precipitate out. If it is a small amount of solids, ignore it.

https://www.seachem.com/reef-builder.php
"Contains carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate salts of sodium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and potassium. Each gram contains a minimum of 12 meq of alkalinity."

I mix it according to the directions in a gallon jug to make a stock solution. I change the duration that the doser is on to keep it at my desired level (mid-8's). At first, I increased the dose with daily testing until I got it to stay where I needed it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I mix it according to the directions in a gallon jug to make a stock solution. I change the duration that the doser is on to keep it at my desired level (mid-8's). At first, I increased the dose with daily testing until I got it to stay where I needed it.

Which directions?

This?

"Use 3 g (1/2 level teaspoon) per 150 L (40 gallons) twice a week. Dissolve in at least 250 mL (1 cup) of freshwater."

I don't see any other directions on their web site:
https://www.seachem.com/reef-builder.php

 

[rkpetersen]

You keep a two part solution mixing 24/7?

I just got these pretty recently, and that is indeed what I'm doing at the moment. I run them slow, so there's no whirlpool and the water surfaces remain undisturbed. They do a good job of keeping the solutions uniform in appearance. (Containers are covered and my alk solution is not becoming more cloudy so far.) Would you run them less? The power use is negligible, but I suppose I could put them on my Apex or just simple timers.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I just got these pretty recently, and that is indeed what I'm doing at the moment. I run them slow, so there's no whirlpool and the water surfaces remain undisturbed. They do a good job of keeping the solutions uniform in appearance (and my alk is not becoming more cloudy.) Would you run them less? The power use is negligible, but I suppose I could put them on my Apex or just simple timers.

I'd just let them settle, but stirring them is also fine.