Raising alkalinity

ask499 · 03/31/2021, 01:17 PM

Hey all,

As of right now my alkalinity is at 6.7 dkh. I want to raise it to at least 8.5 dkh in my 90 gallon. I am using Red Sea foundation alkalinity and unsure of how much to dose in a safe manner. Can anyone be of assistance? Right now my tank is mostly leathers and softies. I want to start introducing lps but want my parameters to be correct first.

Thank you

Member No. 1 · 03/31/2021, 01:19 PM

I wouldn't raise it anymore than 0.5dkh in a 24 hour period.

ask499 · 03/31/2021, 01:21 PM

But how much should I dose at a time for this increase. I followed the directions of 1ml per 25 gallons and have not seen an increase

Member No. 1 · 03/31/2021, 01:31 PM

From Red Sea web site:

Concentration:
Liquid supplement: 1ml will raise the Alk level of 100 liters (25 gal) by 0.036 meq/l (0.1dKH)

Powder supplement: 1g will raise the Alk level of 100 liters (25 gal) 0.12 meq/l (0.33dKH)
1 kg will make 10L of stock solution.

Using the liquid guide lines, in a 90g tank, you would need to add 18ml to raise it 0.5dkh.
90g/25 = 3.6ml to raise it 0.1dKh. - 0.5dKh is 5 times 0.1dKh so 3.6*5=18ml

ask499 · 03/31/2021, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Member No. 1

From Red Sea web site:

Concentration:
Liquid supplement: 1ml will raise the Alk level of 100 liters (25 gal) by 0.036 meq/l (0.1dKH)

Powder supplement: 1g will raise the Alk level of 100 liters (25 gal) 0.12 meq/l (0.33dKH)
1 kg will make 10L of stock solution.

Using the liquid guide lines, in a 90g tank, you would need to add 18ml to raise it 0.5dkh.
90g/25 = 3.6ml to raise it 0.1dKh. - 0.5dKh is 5 times 0.1dKh so 3.6*5=18ml

Thanks!! Greatly appreciated. my calculations didnt include the multiplication part

gabedawg · 04/01/2021, 11:47 PM

It says max dose on the back of the bottle on top of the chart

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sk8r · 04/04/2021, 12:01 PM

If your alkalinity keeps falling your magnesium may be too low. Keep your mg about 1400.

monkeysee1 · 04/05/2021, 05:50 AM

Hi!
Been using Sea Chem Reef Builder to maintain my tank alkalinity (for my inverts - shrimp, urchins, snails, hermits, etc) - similar to Red sea. I mix 1/2 tsp in a cup and dose every THIRD day. My alkalinity has been locked in at 10 dkh ever since I started.
My tank is the same size as yours.

blowmecius · 04/07/2021, 07:05 AM

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

ask499 · 04/10/2021, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

If your alkalinity keeps falling your magnesium may be too low. Keep your mg about 1400.

My alkalinity keeps dropping and now that you mention it my magnesium keeps dropping also. Calcium have been staying relatively the same.

Alk is now 9.25 dkh
Cal is now 432 ppm
Mag is now 1289 ppm

How much ppm can I increase Mag a day?

blowmecius · 04/10/2021, 01:43 PM

Honestly, your magnesium is ok. Seawater is around 1300ppm. Start slowly and see what it does. It takes quite a bit of additive to raise magnesium. I highly recommend the BRS magnesium additive (buy an empty jug too) but you can use epsom salts. Use the calculator I linked.

ask499 · 04/10/2021, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowmecius

Honestly, your magnesium is ok. Seawater is around 1300ppm. Start slowly and see what it does. It takes quite a bit of additive to raise magnesium. I highly recommend the BRS magnesium additive (buy an empty jug too) but you can use epsom salts. Use the calculator I linked.

I’m using it right now to do the calculations. That’s a great tool. Thank you

03/31/2021, 01:17 PM	#1
ask499 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 33	Raising alkalinity Hey all, As of right now my alkalinity is at 6.7 dkh. I want to raise it to at least 8.5 dkh in my 90 gallon. I am using Red Sea foundation alkalinity and unsure of how much to dose in a safe manner. Can anyone be of assistance? Right now my tank is mostly leathers and softies. I want to start introducing lps but want my parameters to be correct first. Thank you

03/31/2021, 01:19 PM	#2
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	I wouldn't raise it anymore than 0.5dkh in a 24 hour period. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

03/31/2021, 01:31 PM	#4
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	From Red Sea web site: Concentration: Liquid supplement: 1ml will raise the Alk level of 100 liters (25 gal) by 0.036 meq/l (0.1dKH) Powder supplement: 1g will raise the Alk level of 100 liters (25 gal) 0.12 meq/l (0.33dKH) 1 kg will make 10L of stock solution. Using the liquid guide lines, in a 90g tank, you would need to add 18ml to raise it 0.5dkh. 90g/25 = 3.6ml to raise it 0.1dKh. - 0.5dKh is 5 times 0.1dKh so 3.6*5=18ml __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

04/04/2021, 12:01 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If your alkalinity keeps falling your magnesium may be too low. Keep your mg about 1400. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/05/2021, 05:50 AM	#8
monkeysee1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: MERRIMACK NH Posts: 423	Hi! Been using Sea Chem Reef Builder to maintain my tank alkalinity (for my inverts - shrimp, urchins, snails, hermits, etc) - similar to Red sea. I mix 1/2 tsp in a cup and dose every THIRD day. My alkalinity has been locked in at 10 dkh ever since I started. My tank is the same size as yours. __________________ Your "fair share" is not in my wallet; it's in my fish tank!! Current tank info: 90 Gallon saltwater 10 fish with a few inverts; NO CORALS! Tried to go reef; didn't work out so hot; FOWLR's for me!

03/31/2021, 01:21 PM	#3
ask499 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 33	But how much should I dose at a time for this increase. I followed the directions of 1ml per 25 gallons and have not seen an increase

04/01/2021, 11:47 PM	#6
gabedawg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 11	It says max dose on the back of the bottle on top of the chart Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/07/2021, 07:05 AM	#9
blowmecius Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Maryand Posts: 177	http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html __________________ Homer no function beer well without.

04/10/2021, 01:43 PM	#11
blowmecius Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Maryand Posts: 177	Honestly, your magnesium is ok. Seawater is around 1300ppm. Start slowly and see what it does. It takes quite a bit of additive to raise magnesium. I highly recommend the BRS magnesium additive (buy an empty jug too) but you can use epsom salts. Use the calculator I linked. __________________ Homer no function beer well without.