Low alkalinity

[GeneK]

I am using Reef Crystals salt on my 16 gallon. I tested pH (8.1), calcium (450), and alkalinity (5.1 dKH). What's the best way to raise alkalinity?

[FishN00b83]

I find reef crystals to be way off sometimes. I test my DT and test my WC water. I use the reef calculator to figure out how much 2 part I need to make up the difference in both the DT and WC, then replace the water.

if the WC is really low in cal and/or alk I dose half and then dose the other half at night when the lights go out.

are you testing for mag too? The bucket of RC I have now always comes in at 900 mag, I try to keep it in the 1400 range so I'm constantly dosing mag as well. kalk in the ATO definitely helps keep the calc and alk under control.

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Baking soda is a perfectly adequate way to raise alkalinity. Until you find that you need to boost calcium as well, I'd choose it. The calculator above shows how much to use. Dissolve it in some pure fresh water, and add it to an area away from creatures.

These have more:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php


Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm


How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

[GeneK]

Thank you very much. I will give baking soda a try.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

Happy Reefing. :)

[GeneK]

I have read that you may need to bake baking soda at 300f. Do I need to bake it first?

[thegrun]

With your pH at 8.1 I would bake it first, or your pH is going to drop.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It is a fine alkalinity supplement without baking.

If you also want it to boost pH, bake it first.

Without baking, it will cause a small pH drop. Hardly noticeable. :)

[GeneK]

Thanks for all of your help

[bemerritt]

Soda ash from BRS did the trick for me. Try not to raise by more than 1 dKH per day. I increased closer to .5 dKH per day just to be safe.

[m0nkie]

I'm in the exact situation as OP. I just bought BRS 2 part.

is it ok to dose the Soda Ash only??

[bertoni]

Dosing just the soda ash is fine if the tank needs only alkalinity. I did that fairly frequently in the past. :)

[FullBoreReefer]

I recently switched to brs 2part as well. I have found with my system when using the soda ash raises my ph. Nothing to major but some nights ive seen it hit 8.37. I usually shoot for 8.25ish (where my system naturally sits at with some minor fluctuations).

Anyways, ive also just ordered the bicarbonate from them to help with this. Ill use my Apex to dose one or the other, carbonate or bicarbonate, depending on ph level to help aid against ph spikes/climbs. Should work out well to help with stability. And now I can dose throughout the day to keep alk more stable instead of just at night to help with the minor ph drop from the photo period.