Im an Idiot super noob

[yaridong]

My ph generally runs between 7.9 and 8.1.

After doing a full range of water tests, i decided to try a new product to increase my alk...precision kalkwasser (previously used seachem reef buffer) and added it to my sump when my lights turn off (right when my ph starts its downward cycle which is about 12am)

My noob mistake was that i added too much too quickly. Watched my ph rise from 8.16 to 8.56 in a matter of 30 seconds. I didnt want to throw off my tank ph anymore then i already had so i cut off the power on my pump in the sump (still a good amount of kalkwasser in the sump).

I then painstakingly woke up every two hours to turn the pump in the sump periodically on to maintain a ph of 8.4-8.5 throughout the night.

At 8 am my ph settled at 8.4 with the pump in the sump continuously on.

The questions i have:

1. With my ph now at 8.4-8.5 from my usual 8.1 should i just try to maintain a level of 8.4 going forward? Is this amount of a sudden swing going to hurt my corals?

2. I know its important to keep ph consistent but is it just as important to keep alk levels consistent too (i.e. if alk is at 9 do u always try to keep it at 9 or does it not matter as long as its between 7-11 dkh? ) if so, what do you usually keep your alk levels at?

 

[Fig]

You want to keep your alk as stable as you can. Kalk may do this alone but it may require a 2 part solution if you have a high demand. Dripping kalk is the best way to prevent ph swings like you had. I wouldn't worry about keeping the ph up to 8.4 going forward.

 

[yaridong]

You want to keep your alk as stable as you can. Kalk may do this alone but it may require a 2 part solution if you have a high demand. Dripping kalk is the best way to prevent ph swings like you had. I wouldn't worry about keeping the ph up to 8.4 going forward.

The original reason for adding the kalk was to increase my alk not necessarily my ph. Any way to increase alk without it affecting ph too much?

 

[Fig]

Yes, slowly adding the kalk.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php#5

 

[alexander_ktn]

The original reason for adding the kalk was to increase my alk not necessarily my ph. Any way to increase alk without it affecting ph too much?

Sodium bicarbonate. It's the compound used to elevate alkalinity in simple two part recipes and does not affect pH as much as kalkwasser. It's a buffering agent basically.

 

[coralsnaked]

SeaChem Reef Builder will not raise pH when raising Alk. You were using Reef Buffer by SeaChem and this will raise pH while raising Alk.

How big is your tank ?

Use 1/2 teaspoon per 25 gals mixed in a cup of RO should raise the Allk by 0.5 dKH

Merry Skerry

 

[yaridong]

SeaChem Reef Builder will not raise pH when raising Alk. You were using Reef Buffer by SeaChem and this will raise pH while raising Alk.

How big is your tank ?

Use 1/2 teaspoon per 25 gals mixed in a cup of RO should raise the Allk by 0.5 dKH

Merry Skerry

I was previously using seachem reefbuffer but i wanted to give kalkwasser a try. Thanks for all the info guys.

So you guys think leaving my ph going forward should be better since i am already at that level?

Hopefully the ph swing from last night doesnt destroy my corals...

 

[bertoni]

I'm not sure whether the Reef Builder will raise the pH much or not, but the Reef Buffer will. Sodium bicarbonate actually will lower the pH temporarily by a very small amount.

8.4 is fine for pH, and is a bit better than 8.1. Keeping the pH stable is overrated, in my opinion. As long as it stays in the range 7.8 to 8.5, the tank should be fine. Keeping the alkalinity stable might be more important, especially if the alkalinity is at the low end. Stony corals sometimes seem to have problems when the alkalinity drops much below 7 dKH