Can't Keep KH higher than 7

S

saltwater111

New member
I have a 400 gallon tank with a 200 gallon sump. I have a calcium reactor that seems to be working correctly. I have having a heck of a time keeping KH higher than 7. I've been buffering a lot with KH buffer. Ph is 8.3 and Calcium is not stable but is around 380. I'm buffering for that to.

Any ideas?
 
Get your numbers where you want them and then tune that calcium reactor to maintain those levels.
 
Did you check your KH test kit against another test kit? I wouldn't trust Salifert if thats what your using.
 
Kh

Kh

I would if I could get my KH and Calcium up. I've been buffering for KH daily for a week on so. I'm using enough buffer that after sitting over night in 2 1/2gallons of R/O water, my tank is getting cloudy and the skimmer drops dramatically.
 
I like Lamotte for testing alkalinity. I like Salifert for calcium and magnesium. Double check your levels with another test kit to make sure you are treating the right numbers.
 
What are you using to raise your calcium and alk?

And +3 to double checking your lvl's with another test kit.
 
i am having the same issue.... double checked test kits. Plus ph is low....7.7 cal is 360 my calcium reactor is off line because i cant find anyone to refill the tank after 5pm
 
I'm very curios to what you are using to raise your alk and calcium?

If your dosing your alk and calcium to close together that could be the problem
 
reef crystals, before that was IO . I switched to Reef Crystals when i started having issues.
I have been dosing marine buffer to see if that will get it where it should be. It made my numbers shoot through the roof even when i was only using 3/4 the recommended amount. I wonder if it could be the silica base pool sand ??? It was put in before i knew any better and i had seen others that had used it with no issues.
 
Whats your magnesium at

I would think that the sand would raise not reduce unless there is something in it to make your mag go crazy making swings in your alk.

I just got lazy and didn't monitor my alk and now I'm paying for it. When I did get my head on straight it took a good week and alot of baking soda to get my alk stable.

If I was you I would try to get a buffer that would work to raise your Ph and alk together. Lime water would do that and also get your Ph a little more stable.

Being that your tank is in the basement make sure to open a window from time to time.

I used to when my Ph was low I would open a window and turn my fans on and that would raise my Ph.

I learned alot about kh when I ran a sulfur denitrator.

Sorry I just kept on going. :)
 
I have been having this same exact problem. pH is constant at 8.3. Ca is 440 and Mg is 1500. Getting my alk to 8 using two part is near impossible. I just started adding some kalk to my top off water but not too much as I don't have a drip system (mine adds about a gallon a day, all at once). I do weekly water changes with Reef Crystals salt.

I can get it higher by using baking soda, but so far I'm up to dosing 180 each of the two-part B-Ionic and my alk is still low. It's quite maddening.
 
Plus I did a little research and found they add alot of vitamins to there salt compared to other brands. I like IO because of the purity.
 
I'd suggest a magnesium level of 1280. THat will let the alk and cal stabilize at above 8.3 and about 420 respectively.
 
I wait at least a hour when I'm buffing if your just stabalizing a half hour should be fine.

Do you calcuim then your alk and when you dose your alk make sure its not snow flaking.
 
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