Keeping Alk up?

[scott11]

I am able to keep my Calcium constant, but my Alk keeps falling. Would a kalk reactor or a calcium reactor have more affect on thee Alk?

[Logzor]

Auto-top off with limewater has done wonders for me.

[LOTUS50GOD]

you can use 2part or a kalk reactor

[Potsy]

What are the parameters for alk and calc? If your calcium reactor is dialed in correctly, the parameters you initially aimed for should remain fixed and balanced. What are your magnesium levels? Depleted magnesium levels make it hard to maintain alk.

[crvz]

A calcium reactor solved that problem for me. I find it has considerably more impact on alkalinity than calcium, but it could be due to the media I use.

[scott11]

I am at 400 cal and keep dropping from 9-10 down to 7-8 each week on dKH.

Currently using a cal reactor, but it is on a VERY slow drip. Not sure if I should increase the drip, or install a kalk reactor. I would rather not use the kalk if possible.

My reactor is very hard to adjust, either a very slow drip, or a constant one. Could I keep the slow drip, and lower ph to gain more alk?

[Potsy]

Slower drip + higher bubble count = lower pH in reactor = higher alk. Make sure the pH in the reactor doesn't get too low or it'll turn your media into mush.

What kind of valve do you have regulating the output? You should ideally be able to make fine adjustments.

[scott11]

its a custom reactor, feed of my return line. I have it valved on the inlet, since it doesn't handle pressure well. This makes it hard to regulate. Currently using a JG ball valve, I should order a needle valve for better control.

Currently run 6.6-6.7. What is the lowest to safely go? Not sure of the media type, got it used

[JEFFR259]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13982311#post13982311 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Potsy
What are your magnesium levels? Depleted magnesium levels make it hard to maintain alk.


+1

Potsy has a great point here. Low Mag will allow larger Alk swings and make it more difficult to keep it stable.

Find out your Magnesium levels, aim for a target range of around 1280-1400

[scott11]

I have always been around 1350, but have not tested for a while, I think my kit is expired.