Water Perimeters?

[NWJerseyReefer]

Hey all, I want to start this discussion by saying that I have only used Red Sea Coral Reef Pro Salt in my tank.

This Saturday- I did a 25 gallon water change on my 116 gallon system and have been doing at minimum 15 to 20 gallon water changes every week for the past month consistently. Before that I was a little sidetracked in my personal life to give the tank all of the proper over the top care these tanks tend to require.

Today I tested all of my parameters and this is what I got:
Salinity:1.026. REFRACTOMETER
PH:8. API TEST KIT
Ammonia:0. API TEST KIT
Nitrite:0. API TEST KIT
Nitrate:10-20. API TEST KIT

ALK: 8.45 SAFILERT
CA: 400 SAFILERT
MG: 1350 SAFILERT


I am striving for a mixed reef and on the Coral Pro Salt Mix under Mixed Reef. The parameters show I should have ALK of 11.5, CA of 450, and MG of 1350 (which I do currently have).

I am curious as to how I am so out of wack with my alkalinity and also as to how I can get my ph up around 8.2-8.4 aside from using pH buffer. I am open to dosing but am unsure if that's a cure to my alk situation due to the fact that my tank isn't heavily stocked with corals so it is hard to believe it was all consumed in 2 days.

Attached I have a few pictures of the tank to show you guys what we are working with

 

[Hitman]

I see a clam and they will use more then you think as well as your frags. Personally everything I see in your pictures looks happy so I would leave your levels alone and continue doing what you are. Do not chase numbers including PH your corals will tell you when they are happy ( which in your pic they sure look to be ) and when they are grumpy ( poor color, shrunken up, etc ).

 

[UCF Alum]

First off, the tank looks good. So as far as what Hitman said above, dont chase numbers. Your alk and cal are not in-line with whats listed on the bucket because your tanks inhabitants are consuming it. Alk and pH are relative to each other, so usually lower pH means your alk is on the lower side UNLESS you have an airtight home like I do and there's an abundance of cO2 in the house. Doesn't matter how high your alk is, pH will be low in this scenario.
I wouldn't recommend raising alk much higher anyway. Keep an eye on calcium as that clam is pretty big!

 

[redfishbluefish]

Agree with above comments and want to include that you will not be able to maintain alk with just water changes. You're going to need to supplement/dose to maintain numbers. And yes, clams are alk hogs (and calc as well).

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

Agree with above comments and want to include that you will not be able to maintain alk with just water changes. You're going to need to supplement/dose to maintain numbers. And yes, clams are alk hogs (and calc as well).

@redfishbluefish I am fairly new into the hobby and am strongly considering starting to dose in the next coming weeks. Any tips for me on what products to use? dosing equipment? any things to watch for? Ive been hesitant about dosing because I've been assuming I didn't have enough coral in the tank to meet the needs for extra supplements but clearly I've been mistaken pertaining to consumption

 

[smartwater101]

+1

You'll have to start a dosing regime to maintain levels in your tank. Since you have so few corals that dosing amount will likely be very little.

I don't subscribe to the "don't chase pH" idea. There is nothing wrong with upping it. BUT, that's assuming you're doing it for a specific reason and understand the relationship of Alk and pH. If you just want to match a list of parameters you found somewhere, that's where "don't chase numbers" is applicable.

And don't waste your time with pH buffers. They should be called Alk buffers. The pH effects are temporary but not the Alk boost. ALWAYS. Things like running your skimmer lines outside, using a CO2 scrubber, or simply opening windows is the best place to start. Or use a two-part dosing that will also increase pH (I just added this to my regime and its awesome.) Or start with kalkwasser instead of two-part. Whatever you do, GO SLOWLY. GL

 

[smartwater101]

I am fairly new into the hobby and am strongly considering starting to dose in the next coming weeks.

Randy has a post for a two-part recipe with pH boost: (Sodium Hydroxide Version.)

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-diy-two-part-recipes-with-higher-ph-boost.344500/

Again, if you're new, go slow and figure out WHY you'd want to up your levels before moving forward. GL

 

[redfishbluefish]

@redfishbluefish I am fairly new into the hobby and am strongly considering starting to dose in the next coming weeks. Any tips for me on what products to use? dosing equipment? any things to watch for? Ive been hesitant about dosing because I've been assuming I didn't have enough coral in the tank to meet the needs for extra supplements but clearly I've been mistaken pertaining to consumption

For starters, you have to decide how you want to supplement your tank and what would work best for you. Off the top of my head, the choices that quickly come to mind are:

1. Calcium Reactor
2. Kalkwasser in ATO water
3. Kalkwasser reactor
4. dry or wet additions of alkalinity and calcium products.
5. combinations of above choices

If cost is a consideration, with dosing products, you could go the DIY route. Examples of this would be to use Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime (available at Walmart and other places) and put that in you ATO water, 1 tbs per gallon. Of use the DIY recipes for alkalinity and calcium solutions, such as Dr. Randy Holmes' recipes found HERE.

If cost isn't an issue, a calcium reactor would be 500+, while a kalk reactor is in the 250 range.

For me, I have a 90 gallon DT and have been dosing Dr. Randy's DIY for over 12 years. I guesstimate my yearly costs are under $10. If you decide to go that route, check out this fine article:

How Much Two Part Do I Need


EDIT TO ADD:

And while I was typing, @smartwater101 posted another excellent DIY variation that would also work just fine....above.

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

Randy has a post for a two-part recipe with pH boost: (Sodium Hydroxide Version.)

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-diy-two-part-recipes-with-higher-ph-boost.344500/

Again, if you're new, go slow and figure out WHY you'd want to up your levels before moving forward. GL

Thanks for your feedback,@smartwater101 . Yeah I am new to the hobby at only 7months into this tank and 10 months into my first tank. Appreciate the link

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

For starters, you have to decide how you want to supplement your tank and what would work best for you. Off the top of my head, the choices that quickly come to mind are:

1. Calcium Reactor
2. Kalkwasser in ATO water
3. Kalkwasser reactor
4. dry or wet additions of alkalinity and calcium products.
5. combinations of above choices

If cost is a consideration, with dosing products, you could go the DIY route. Examples of this would be to use Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime (available at Walmart and other places) and put that in you ATO water, 1 tbs per gallon. Of use the DIY recipes for alkalinity and calcium solutions, such as Dr. Randy Holmes' recipes found HERE.

If cost isn't an issue, a calcium reactor would be 500+, while a kalk reactor is in the 250 range.

For me, I have a 90 gallon DT and have been dosing Dr. Randy's DIY for over 12 years. I guesstimate my yearly costs are under $10. If you decide to go that route, check out this fine article:

How Much Two Part Do I Need


EDIT TO ADD:

And while I was typing, @smartwater101 posted another excellent DIY variation that would also work just fine....above.

@redfishbluefish Thanks for the info! 10 BUCKS A YEAR?! that sounds fantastic in a hobby were I feel like I'm spending at least 10 times that whenever I walk into a LFS!

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Hey all, I want to start this discussion by saying that I have only used Red Sea Coral Reef Pro Salt in my tank.

This Saturday- I did a 25 gallon water change on my 116 gallon system and have been doing at minimum 15 to 20 gallon water changes every week for the past month consistently. Before that I was a little sidetracked in my personal life to give the tank all of the proper over the top care these tanks tend to require.

Today I tested all of my parameters and this is what I got:
Salinity:1.026. REFRACTOMETER
PH:8. API TEST KIT
Ammonia:0. API TEST KIT
Nitrite:0. API TEST KIT
Nitrate:10-20. API TEST KIT

ALK: 8.45 SAFILERT
CA: 400 SAFILERT
MG: 1350 SAFILERT


I am striving for a mixed reef and on the Coral Pro Salt Mix under Mixed Reef. The parameters show I should have ALK of 11.5, CA of 450, and MG of 1350 (which I do currently have).

I am curious as to how I am so out of wack with my alkalinity and also as to how I can get my ph up around 8.2-8.4 aside from using pH buffer. I am open to dosing but am unsure if that's a cure to my alk situation due to the fact that my tank isn't heavily stocked with corals so it is hard to believe it was all consumed in 2 days.

Attached I have a few pictures of the tank to show you guys what we are working with

Don't forget after mixing NSW, age it 2-4 days, with a pump to circulate. Longer better

 

[Hitman]

I personally dose ESV B-Ionic. It’s the only 2 part that includes trace elements. Every tank is different on consumption so a base line with ESV is 1 ml each per 6 gallons to start. I personally dose 48ml each daily at 2 ml each per hour with a 30 minute gape between each part. It’s $35 from BRS and at your consumption rate that I’m guessing on the gallon jugs would last you about a year unless you stock up with more clams or corals.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/esv-b-ionic-calcium-buffer-system.html

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

I personally dose ESV B-Ionic. It’s the only 2 part that includes trace elements. Every tank is different on consumption so a base line with ESV is 1 ml each per 6 gallons to start. I personally dose 48ml each daily at 2 ml each per hour with a 30 minute gape between each part. It’s $35 from BRS and at your consumption rate that I’m guessing on the gallon jugs would last you about a year unless you stock up with more clams or corals.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/esv-b-ionic-calcium-buffer-system.html

@Hitman Thanks, I am leaning towards a 2 part solution method. Question I'm on BRS link you provided? Does it come in a liquid or powder?

 

[Hitman]

The gallon size and larger are half filled with liquid which is super concentrated so you just top the jugs off with RODI water and shake, let settle for a hour or so and your golden. The smaller jugs are ready to go no mixing needed.

 

[Hitman]

Oh some times the larger ones have what looks like chunks of chalk in them that’s the percepitent that when you top off with rodi water will redesolve by shaking it up. I leave mine out in the sun and shake it every so often and within the hour it good to go.

 

[smartwater101]

I personally dose ESV B-Ionic. It’s the only 2 part that includes trace elements. Every tank is different on consumption so a base line with ESV is 1 ml each per 6 gallons to start. I personally dose 48ml each daily at 2 ml each per hour with a 30 minute gape between each part. It’s $35 from BRS and at your consumption rate that I’m guessing on the gallon jugs would last you about a year unless you stock up with more clams or corals.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/esv-b-ionic-calcium-buffer-system.html

B-Ionic Alk doesn't boost pH though. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

B-Ionic Alk doesn't boost pH though. Just something to keep in mind.

@smartwater101 Thanks for the heads up. I think my pH was on the lower side because my windows and doors have been closed because I had the air conditioning on. Its a lovely 70 degrees today so I am all opened up. Im testing my water again tomorrow around the same time so I am curious to see if I can notice a difference.

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

Oh some times the larger ones have what looks like chunks of chalk in them that’s the percepitent that when you top off with rodi water will redesolve by shaking it up. I leave mine out in the sun and shake it every so often and within the hour it good to go.

Thanks @Hitman. Sounds easy enough

 

[Hitman]

B-Ionic Alk doesn't boost pH though. Just something to keep in mind.

Not sure where you got that info from but it’s wrong. The Alk base is soda ash which gives it a big PH jump. I’ve used it for 5 years now and switched once away from a soda ash based 2 part and my ph average dropped to 7.9 from 8.2 over the first 24 hours.

 

[Hitman]

Every two part calculator shows ESV as the biggest ph boost over two parts in the smallest of doses. If I went to Randy’s new two part or the new pharma BRS soda ash 2 part I would be dosing 160 ml compared to 48 ml of ESV for the same results.