first time using cheato

[gatorlover]

Gatorlover, you are correct, kalk can only raised balanced levels. If you have been having trouble maintaining alk, magnesium could be the problem. Bust out that new test kit and see what you have.

Since you are using BRS alkalinity addative, try their handy calculator.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/reef-calculator#AlkalinityCalculator

I'll test the mag tonight and report back what it says.

Also, you mentioned the brs calc. I went to the site and ran the numbers for alk and it says Need: 1.18 US gallons; 4.47 Liters; 151.2 fl oz to go from 7dkh to 8.5dkh. The warning on the side says that kalk should not be used to raise alk so I guess I have to buy something separate to get that up as well. I had planned to obviously use the kalk in the topoff water, it appears I will be doing more dosing to get the levels up as well. Thanks for your feedback while I work through this stuff.

 

[gatorlover]

the scrubber was pretty easy to build. 19 dollar waterfall pump I bought at Lowes, plumbed into a 6 dollar frame built out of 3/4 inch pvc pipe. cut some roughed up knitting screen (1 dollar) and zip tie it to the pvc frame. drill holes into the top pipe of the pvc frame so water trickles down onto the screen. shine the light on it like you do the chaeto. some people use 2 lights (1 on each side facing each other) but I am only using 1 for now to experiment. the whole thing sits vertically in the fuge etc

Sounds really cool Bigcountry74. Seems simple enough. Do you have any pictures you could share that will help me with what it looks like? i.e. placement and such. I don't have a huge amount of space in my sump but, there is a little room to work with.
Here's the best picture I have at the moment of the sump/fuge area.


Dang!! Its sideways!!!! :headwalls:well you get the idea.

 

[Humuhumunuku]

I'll test the mag tonight and report back what it says.

Also, you mentioned the brs calc. I went to the site and ran the numbers for alk and it says Need: 1.18 US gallons; 4.47 Liters; 151.2 fl oz to go from 7dkh to 8.5dkh. The warning on the side says that kalk should not be used to raise alk so I guess I have to buy something separate to get that up as well. I had planned to obviously use the kalk in the topoff water, it appears I will be doing more dosing to get the levels up as well. Thanks for your feedback while I work through this stuff.

That doesn't sound right at all. Don't you have a 90gallon? Should be more like 100mL

EDIT: Ah, just noticed you said you ordered Kalk from BRS, thought you ordered some 2 part. You're going to need to get something that has separate additives for alk and calcium. Check this out.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

BRS also has the ingredients needed to make this.

 

[gatorlover]

That doesn't sound right at all. Don't you have a 90gallon? Should be more like 100mL

EDIT: Ah, just noticed you said you ordered Kalk from BRS, thought you ordered some 2 part. You're going to need to get something that has separate additives for alk and calcium. Check this out.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

BRS also has the ingredients needed to make this.

Yep kalk is what I have for now. Thanks for the link. Randy is the man! So I think it's recipe #1 for me because my ph is generally on the lower side of the scale. Based on that, looks like I need the following ingredients.

Bulk Calcium Chloride-http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/calcium-supplements-for-aquariums/1-gallon-bulk-calcium-chloride-for-aquariums.html

Bulk Sodium Bicarbonate-http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/review/product/list/id/658/category/200/
and potentially
Bulk Magnesium Chloride-http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/magnesium-supplements-for-aquariums/1-gallon-bulk-magnesium-chloride-for-aquariums.html

Then just follow the calc they have and figure out a delivery method....It would be nice to buy the dosing pumps but, budget may prohibit that for a couple of months.

Would it be ok to go ahead and start the kalk even though I haven't got these yet? I plan on ordering the calcium and alk stuff this weekend.

 

[Humuhumunuku]

Sounds about right.

You can do kalk if you want, but your calcium is already rather high, i would try and balance things out before making changes. In a low demand system, water changes alone can often keep up with calcium needs.

 

[gatorlover]

Sounds about right.

You can do kalk if you want, but your calcium is already rather high, i would try and balance things out before making changes. In a low demand system, water changes alone can often keep up with calcium needs.

Well, I tested for mag in my tank and it took 1.2ml to change color. :eek1:
The directions on the Salifert test kit had a chart that ranged from 0.00 to 0.98.

So 0.00=1500ppm
and 0.98-30ppm
Obviously, it was lower than the test could read. Sounds like that is where I should focus. Would really low mag cause the alk to also be very low? If so, that would make since based on my alk readings.
I think I will hod off on starting the kalk until I can get some mag and alk from brs and work on getting those levels up. I'm also going to make a fresh batch of saltwater and test that to get a baseline of alk and mag I think. Hopefully, knowing these will help me as I slowly bring up these levels in terms of dosing.

 

[Humuhumunuku]

That would be over 1800 not low at all, on the high side in fact. Run it again just to be sure. For most tests if you go over the limit, just start adding more and add the two together. For example. 1mL=1500, .2mL = 300, 1.2mL=1800

You're just out of balance, up the alk and things should even out.

 

[gatorlover]

That would be over 1800 not low at all, on the high side in fact. Run it again just to be sure. For most tests if you go over the limit, just start adding more and add the two together. For example. 1mL=1500, .2mL = 300, 1.2mL=1800

You're just out of balance, up the alk and things should even out.

OK, I feel silly now. Your right!!! I was looking at it wrong!!!! I was basically reading backwards!!!!:uhoh3::uhoh3::uhoh3::uhoh3::uhoh3:

 

[Humuhumunuku]

OK, I feel silly now. Your right!!! I was looking at it wrong!!!! I was basically reading backwards!!!!:uhoh3::uhoh3::uhoh3::uhoh3::uhoh3:

I'd run it again anyway, anytime you get something you don't expect, it can't hurt doing it again.

 

[gatorlover]

I'd run it again anyway, anytime you get something you don't expect, it can't hurt doing it again.

I actually ran it twice with that same result so, I'm sure it was just me reading backwards. Man!!! That's what it's all about, learning through experience. I REALLY appreciate your help with this stuff!!!!!

I went ahead and mixed my kalkwasser using 1 teaspoon for 5 gallons per recommendation from Brandon at bulk reef supply support. I'll let it sit for a couple of hours and then swap out my top off containers. I ordered some of the Alk product so I can slowly work on bringing that up so I should be good now. Just gonna continue testing and see how it goes.