Alkalinity

[Oklahomareefer]

Ok so as part of my Valentines I received my alk test. Just tested and my alk is at 4. pH is 8.1

 

[Lytehouse]

Alk needs to be between 8 and 9

Do you have a way to raise it?

 

[Oklahomareefer]

I do have seachem reef builder but am confused on how much to use on my 12g tank. It says 3g per 40g. Not real good at math lol

 

[Mylilreef]

ends up beig 0.9g. i'd probably just put an even 1g in if that is easier to measure out.

 

[Oklahomareefer]

how do I measure 1 gram?

 

[kender]

What are you going to use to raise it? Good old baking soda I hope. Much cheaper and easier to use. Need to know your mag levels first though. You can go to:

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

and input your numbers there to get the required dosing levels.

 

[Mylilreef]

good to invest in a mail or kitcken scale. you can digital ones on eBay for around $10. when you add it mix it with water from your tank and then add the solution(i wouldn't just dump any powders directly into my tank). i usually skake it up in a rinsed out soda bottle.

 

[Tek]

Mix 1/8th teaspoon with RO/DI water and drip it in slowly until you get it up. The rest can be used later in the week as top off water.

 

[Oklahomareefer]

Ok my husband has a digital scale so I have measured out one gram and mixed it with water from my tank and dosed the tank. Can I check my alk again in a couple of hours? or should I wait until tomorrow?

 

[Mylilreef]

kender is right though those additives you buy at the store are a complete rip off. the site he referred you too has a calculator so you can plug in your numbers and use stuff you probably have around the house to raise levels. like for magnesium you can just use epsom salt, which only cost like 1 dollar for a whole quart size carton. instead of 10 bucks for that little container of basicly the same thing from the pet store.

 

[BeanMachine]

It isn't recommended to raise your alkalinity by more than 2 dkh per day. I would raise it over the course of the week.

 

[Mylilreef]

i'd wait till tomorrow to let everything adjust and settle down

 

[kender]

Yep yep, epsom salt for mag and dow's flake for calcium. Ten times cheaper than the store bought stuff. Easier to dose too. Just mix what you need and dose it in parts, say half one day and half the next or quarters if its a larger dose. Just remember to get your mag where it needs first, then your alk, and finally your calcium.

 

[Mylilreef]

where do you get dow flake?

 

[gws76]

where do you get dow flake?

Me

 

[kender]

LoL It is ice melt or calcium chloride flake. You can find it at most of the hardware stores like Ace or Evans. I think it usually runs like $20 for a 50# bag. (Again, 10x cheaper than it is to by the named additives.)

 

[cjilge]

all good advise above, just remember to dose slowly! small amounts daily or twice dailly if you have time. The link above for the calculators is a very handy tool to save as one of your favorites! Good Luck! LMK I may still have a copy of Ed's hand pout from last year could send a copy via email of print if you want. lmk

 

[BeanMachine]

I was thinking 4 was pretty low... does someone nearby have another test kit you can compare yours to?

 

[Oklahomareefer]

If I bring some of my water to the meeting can someone test it for me. Check all the parameters. I can test before I head that way and see what I get so that we can compare. I would also like to see if I can get someone to test mag and cal for me since I do not have those tests yet.

 

[kender]

I am out of mag test but I will be more than happy to test your calcium and alk at the meeting. I am sure we can find someone to do the mag in the meantime. ;-)