Alkalinity at 12.5 dKH
- Thread starter NexDog
- Start date
Freed
It's what it's
12.5 isn't too bad unless your calcium is way high as well which may create a spontaneous calcium precipitation storm in the water column if one goes much higher than it already is but this is rare. Your calcium is probably a bit low right now since your alk is high which is normally the case.
That's true actually. Calcium is at around 320 but I'm dosing with the Calcium part of B-Ionic (100cc every 2 days) and topping off through a Tunze calc dispenser with calcium hydroxide. My system is new and has no calcium needing livestock apart from one deresa clam and a small SPS acro so I'm hoping my buffering will get the levels up there and the tunze calcium dispenser can keep up with the calcium needs under I need a reactor.
So when calcium level rises, alk can go down?
So when calcium level rises, alk can go down?
I usually recommend 7-11 dKH. It should fall on its own to 11 dKH or less in a day or two (once calcium is up to normal). No need to do anything else for the alkalinity. 
I would add a lot of the calcium part of the two part system, or just calcium chloride, to boost the calcium to 420 ppm in 1 or two days.
This calculator shows how much to use, and the article guides you through the process:
Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
I would add a lot of the calcium part of the two part system, or just calcium chloride, to boost the calcium to 420 ppm in 1 or two days.
This calculator shows how much to use, and the article guides you through the process:
Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
That calculator is a great tool. It says that at 450 gallons with current Ca at 320 and desired level at 420 I need to add 2812 ml. Problem is that the B-Ionic bottle says recommend dosage is 1ml per 4 gallons and even less if using Kalk. Therefore I've been dosing 100ml per day last few days. Would you say it's safe to dose more?
Forget the bottle dose. That is for maintaining levels. When you need a significant rise, you need to add a lot more than the "recommended" dose. That is not a problem.
steve the plumb
In Memoriam
You can start dosing randys formula its much cheaper than buying bottles of products.
You're welcome.
Good luck.
Good luck.
steve the plumb
In Memoriam
Look and find Randys alk and calcium formula.I don't have the link but most people on this forum know it.You can ask randy.
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
B-ionic is a fine way to go.
