Hagen test for KH

[chocolates mom]

I keep reading about meq/L or dKH but my Hagen test is mg/L? My KH is at 70 mg/L and it says I should be between 105-125 mg/L. It is this low because my LFS told me to add Calcium everytime I did a water change. So what can I do to get it up? I can't use the calculator because it isn't in mg/L. I don't know what my calcium is at right now because the LFS did my test for me and told me it was ok. Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

1 meq/L = 2.8 dKH = 50 ppm (= 50 mg/L) calcium carbonate equivalents.

I recommend 125-200 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents. 105 ppm is too low for a reef aquarium.

Baking soda is a fine way to raise it, but I'd look for a balanced calcium and alkalinity additive system.

These articles have more:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Reef Chemicals Calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

 

[chocolates mom]

Thanks for your quick response. I went out at lunchtime and got some Seachem Carbonate. Do you think this would be ok to use? They say add 1 capful per 20 gallons of water. Will this raise the PH?

 

[bertoni]

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html

That calculator will help with a dose. If it's SeaChem Reef Carbonate, it's fine to use, although it'll raise pH a bit, I think.

 

[chocolates mom]

Thanks- Yes it is Seachem's. Do you know how long it takes to make a change to the Alk? Also should I turn off my protein skimmer?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How long? Assuming the pH does not get too high, you can boost it all at once and the effect is immediate. No need to alter skimming.

 

[chocolates mom]

Ok the bottle says 2 1/2 capfuls twice a week.. According to the chart ( if I'm doing it right ) it says 16 1/2 capfuls. I put in 2 1/2 capfuls last night and no change. I am confused....

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Add the calculated amount all at once, forgetting the bottle recommendation which is to maintain levels,not raise them.

But if the rise is very large, you might monitor pH as you add that particular additive.

 

[chocolates mom]

Ok I will do that. Another question what do I do if my PH gets too high? It has always been at 8.7 right from the start but today it is at approx 8.0 Thanks again!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

A pH of 8.7 is likely a measurement error. How are you measuring it?

if the pH gets too high when you add the alkalinity supplement, you could use baking soda instead, or just spread the addition out over a number of smaller additions with good aeration in between.

 

[chocolates mom]

I am using the Hagen test and it has always been that right from the start. I did pick up some baking soda so I think I will use that. So a number of small additions over a few days? I have 2 Seio 820's.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Baking soda can boost the alkalinity as much as you want all at once as it will not raise pH. Dissolve it in freshwater and add to a high flow area away from corals. The calculator above shows how much to use.

 

[chocolates mom]

I got a new PH test and it shows 8.3. I will let you know how I do thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Good luck.

 

[chocolates mom]

So today my KH is at 130 mg/L. If my sons's math is right ( he's better at this than me lol) this means I am at 2.6 meq/L = 7.28 dKH is this right? My Ca is at 380. Also I tested my PH today, when I started a year ago my PH was 8.0 out of the tap = 8.7 in the tank. My tap water today is down to 7.3 = 8.0 in the tank. So should I try and get my KH up a bit more or leave it as is?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So today my KH is at 130 mg/L. If my sons's math is right ( he's better at this than me lol) this means I am at 2.6 meq/L = 7.28 dKH is this right?

Yes, that is correct.

I'm not sure of the point of the pH comparison to tap pH, but the tank pH is unrelated to tank pH. Are you using tap water?

This article has more on low pH:


Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm


I recommend 125-200 ppm for alkalinity, so it is fine where it is, but it would also be OK if you raised it.

 

[chocolates mom]

Well I guess the point was that my PH has gone done quite a bit and I am assuming that is because the tap water has gone down?

 

[chocolates mom]

PS yes I am using tap water

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I do not recommend using tap water for many reasons (in link below), but the drop in tank pH is not due to tap water. pH is controlled by the tank alkalinity and the carbon dioxide level in the air that it is aerated with.

Tap Water in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm

 

[chocolates mom]

So if my KH is at the low end at 130 ppm then it would be advised to raise it to 150ppm because my PH is on the low side?