What should my alk be at?

[djcool563]

Hello i just got my first SPS frags so i was wondering what should my alk be at? Right now it is at 3.8 dKH. Was wondering what it should be at? Also i was wondering what should my calcium be at? i think it is at around 300-350 now (redsea test kit only messures in 50ppm). I just bought some kalk and b-ionic to up both things if needed.
Thanks
DJ

[AlgaeMan]

Alk should be 7- 9 dkh and ca should be 400 - 450

[whap]

YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR ALK AT AROUND 8-10 DKH AND YOUR CALCIUM UP AROUND 400-450 I KEEP MY SPS AT 8 ALK AND 420 CALCIUM,MIKE

[djcool563]

is there anything generic that raises alk like you can use pickling lime to raise calcium

[Hef]

Pickling Lime will help to maintain your Alk also. Look under the Chemistry Forum for "Randy's Recipe" Very inexpensive way to keep Alk & Ca stable. Baking Soda for Alk, and other products for Ca.

[jsweir]

Here is the link to the above mentioned article.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm

[djcool563]

Well sorry guys i read the instructions wrong my dkH was really around 7.8 so i raised it up somewhere around 8.3dkh. Now i will try working on calcium. I have a question if i use kalk do i have to drip it into my tank or can i just use the kalk water as my makeup water that is added to the tank via a pump controlled by a float valve?

[jsweir]

The key with kalk is slow drip - if you put too much in at one time it will cause the ph to swing too much and potentially burn coral.

[djcool563]

So the slow drip method would be best?How many drips should i have per second and how much should i add per day?

[jsweir]

Just adjust it to keep your water level constant. Or if you prefer to drip only at night to keep up the ph, you will have to also use a timer. I add about 3 - 4 gallons a day to my 180 using a peristaltic pump.

[drock59]

I have used Kalk for years...Having said that, I hate Kalk. IF you are going to dose it, it makes it considerably easier to put it in your auto top off water. If you dont have an auto top off, get one. IT could not be any simpler to setup. Check out www.melevsreef.com for plans.

If you dont want to use Kalk, you can add Arm and Hammer Washing Soda to raise your alk.

I believe the generally accepted range for alk is 8-11 DKH.

[djcool563]

Well with a 55 tank how much should i add?

[djcool563]

I do have an autotopp off and i was wondering if i could add it with that

[smoknreefrs]

here a link that will help determine dosages

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

[djcool563]

Well it says i will need 10 gallons to get my calcium up to where i want it

[drock59]

Kalk is not for raising or lowering your alk/calc. It is for maintaining the levels you already have. Use washing soda and calcium chloride to raise your levels to a desirable level. Do a search on dosing Kalkwasser. You will find answers to all your questions. :)

[djcool563]

So i should use calcium chloride to get it to where i want then use the kalk to keep it there? I have ESV B-ionic so i should use the calcium part and put in a large enough dose to get it to the level i want then use the kalk to keep it there? Sorry for not knowing much about this

[drock59]

Its cool for not know, that is what RC is for. :)

YOu can use various calcium supplements to get your calc up. By all means, DO NOT ADD A BUNCH OF CALC SUPPLEMENT AT ONE TIME! There is usually a safe limit to raise your calc per day. I believe I can raise my calc 12mg/L each day or TWO teaspoons of supplement.

Repeat: Do not add it all at one time.

Go Here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605

Read lots of those articles, especially these:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2003/chem.htm