Alkalinity is too high.
- Thread starter Sohal11
- Start date
That alkalinity is 8dKH,or 8 meq/L?
Do you know how it got that high?
A lot of buffer to raise pH?
A CaCO3/CO2 reactor set too high?
Just make sure to correct the cause first.
I'd let it come down on its own while maintaining calcium with calcium chloride.
This calculator shows how much calcium chloride to use:
Reef Chemicals Calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
and this article guides you through the process:
Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
A lot of buffer to raise pH?
A CaCO3/CO2 reactor set too high?
Just make sure to correct the cause first.
I'd let it come down on its own while maintaining calcium with calcium chloride.
This calculator shows how much calcium chloride to use:
Reef Chemicals Calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
and this article guides you through the process:
Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm
I am not too sure what caused it. Could it be the kalk reactor or the combination of both Kalk and Calcium reactors? Currently I have Kalk reactor setup as a top off. If I turn off both the Kalk and the calcium reactor and do 10% of water changes, 3 times a week until it is down to normal, would this help?
It might possibly be the calcium carbonate/CO2 reactor, if set way too high. You did not add anything to boost pH, like a buffer?
I wouldn't do water changes. IMO, that is the way that folks solve problems when they do not understand them. Here, we know exactly what to do:
Maintain calcium with calcium chloride only (no reactor, no limewater), and the alkalinity will decline on its own over a few days to a week or two depending on demand.
I wouldn't do water changes. IMO, that is the way that folks solve problems when they do not understand them. Here, we know exactly what to do:
Maintain calcium with calcium chloride only (no reactor, no limewater), and the alkalinity will decline on its own over a few days to a week or two depending on demand.
There are many brands that are suitable. ESV, Warner, Kent, and some from Home Depot: Dowflake, Prestone Driveway Heat, and PelaDow are OK to use.
seabisquit2
New member
If you a friend or contact with a local concrete plant, they usy 98% calcium chloride for cement excellarent. You should be able to talk them out of a bag real cheap..5.00~10.00 for a 50 lbs. bag
I would dose it to maintain about 450 ppm calcium. The calculator above will show how much is needed if the level is lower.
It is used as a de-icer. Do you live in a place that needs de-icers?
Well, you probably won't find it at Home Depot in southern CA. Pool stores also sometimes carry suitable brands. All Clear appears to be repackaged Dowflake.
There are a variety of suitable grades, but a pool grade may be below what is preferable. Does it say anything about a grade on it?
This article describes some different purity grades:
What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm
This article describes some different purity grades:
What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm
bkelley02
Premium Member
I'm having a similar problem with my Alkalinity. It's off the scale of a salifert test kit. I topping off with Kent Kalkwasser at about a gallon a day and have a lifereef calcium reactor set as stated in the instructions. PH of 6.4 for the effluent at about a drip per second. PH is staying around 8.3 during the day to a low of 8.1 at night. Calc won't come above 350.
Any suggestions? I'm new to this calcium reactor stuff.
Any suggestions? I'm new to this calcium reactor stuff.
First, get an actual alkalinity reading by using additional syringes of titrant and adding the values together.
Then back off on the CO2 addition rate and the alkalinity should drop overtime (days).
Then back off on the CO2 addition rate and the alkalinity should drop overtime (days).
