Dosing: Can this be right?

[Palting]

I guess I just want either confirmation or correction. My tank had been running a steady 8.0-8.2 pH, 7.0-7.4 dKH, 420-440 C, at an SG 1.026, with 10% weekly WC's, about 8 months now. Have accumulated several stonies, so I've decided to do 2 part dosing. I wanted to bring the alk up to about 9-11 first. Been dumping what I consider a lot of a product called Alk 8.3 by Brightwell. It's supposed to get the pH to 8.3, then further dosing will only raise the alk. I've used the Max dose several times now, and I've only gone to an alk 0f 8.4-8.6 dKH. Other param, pH is steady now at 8.2-8.4, Calc at 440, Mag 1350. All Salifert tests. Can this be right? Could I have been this far behind in alk that I have to dose so much? Or do you really have to dose this much alk relative to Calcium for coral consumption? Or does this Brightwell product suck?

 

[mike_cmu04]

It will take alot to raise it just be careful to not add too much at once. Also i would not go over a alk of 9 if you have alot of sps.

 

[jimmyj7090]

I would throw that additive in the trash and start using baking soda.

Your PH is determined by the alk level and the dissolved Co2. There is nothing special about that brightwell bottle except a fancy sticker .

Adjust your alk level with baking soda (SLOWLY), then look at the PH. If the PH continues to run low, you may want to look into increased airation or possible increased ventilation to address possible elevated atmospheric Co2.

 

[James404]

+1 on using baking soda or baked baking soda. I would stop worrying of PH and focus on getting alk where you want it. For reference on my 75g with 30g sump I use about 15ml of baked baking soda solution to raise my dkh 1-1.5.

 

[tmz]

I don't know that particular product but using a buffer for ph increases is not a good strategy since ph depends on how much CO2 is in the water. So I'm skeptical of any product marketed for that purpose. Any rise in ph from a buffer will be temporary as more CO2 enters the tank to equilbrate the mix of carbonate, bicarbonate ,carbonic acid and carbon dioxide.

Baked or unbaked baking soda is a very good way to dose alklanity.

 

[Palting]

Thanks for the replies!

It will take alot to raise it just be careful to not add too much at once. Also i would not go over a alk of 9 if you have alot of sps.

Yes, the tank is slowly evolving into an SPS dominated tank. I thought SPS prefer a higer alk level? Some say 10-12?

I would throw that additive in the trash and start using baking soda.

Your PH is determined by the alk level and the dissolved Co2. There is nothing special about that brightwell bottle except a fancy sticker .

Adjust your alk level with baking soda (SLOWLY), then look at the PH. If the PH continues to run low, you may want to look into increased airation or possible increased ventilation to address possible elevated atmospheric Co2.

+1 on using baking soda or baked baking soda. I would stop worrying of PH and focus on getting alk where you want it. For reference on my 75g with 30g sump I use about 15ml of baked baking soda solution to raise my dkh 1-1.5.

Used the last drop yesterday. Will start with the baking soda. I know I have the baking technique from Reefkeeper Mag in my home hardrive. Thanks!

I don't know that particular product but using a buffer for ph increases is not a good strategy since ph depends on how much CO2 is in the water. So I'm skeptical of any product marketed for that purpose. Any rise in ph from a buffer will be temporary as more CO2 enters the tank to equilbrate the mix of carbonate, bicarbonate ,carbonic acid and carbon dioxide.

Baked or unbaked baking soda is a very good way to dose alklanity.

I am not trying to raise the pH. I was content with a pH of 8.0-8.2, as was my livestock. My impression, which I am finding out may be wrong, was that stonies prefer an alk level of 10-12 dKH. So, I was trying to raise my alk level.

Thanks for the replies, all!! If this hobby keeps these challenges going, and the researching and getting advice keeps progressing, I may yet get an honorary postgraduate degree in Aquarium chemistry . Either that, or I get commited to an asylum, LOL!

 

[seapug]

Your parameters are spot on as is. There's really no point in trying to boost your Alk. 7 dkh is pretty much a natural sea water value. I run a zeovit system using the brightwell A-B products for calcium and alkalinity and my parameters are identical to yours. If I try to push my Alk above 8 dkh my SPS get tip burn.

 

[tmz]

I agree that 7dkh is fine and generally recommended by those using zeo systems. . FWIW , I dose vodka and vinegar to keep PO4 and NO3 low( PO4 .03 ppm to .05ppm and NO3 0.1ppm) and my sps do very well at 9.5 to 10 dkh.

 

[bertoni]

Be careful about any product that promises to raise the pH to 8.3 and then not raise it any further. That's not possible with any product, especially for a reef tank. Borate can do more to peg the pH at a good level than other supplements, but dosing it can make alkalinity measurement a lot more complicated.

 

[Palting]

Thanks again, all. Looks like I may have been shooting for the wrong target, with the wrong weapon. FWIW, my phosphates and nitrates are undetectable (IO Reefmaster). Will go for maintenance now. Time to make a decision on the balanced two part dosing regimen and product, and see what time and regularity will do.