Increasing Dkh

[Evolley1]

Ok so I haven't called Harveysalt yet but if I can get the mag flakes as opposed to the pellets should I go with the flakes and get a smaller bag? Not sure the cost difference between the two?? Anyone pick up or seen any recently at a local store. I'd rather save on the shipping cost if it turns out to be more expensive.

mbierzyc-
I've got you noted for a Mag buying partner. I'll let you know what I come up with

 

[ostrow]

Search in the Chemistry forum for the answer to that, or post a question to Randy with apologies -- as I know he must have been asked that before!

 

[poopsko24]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8634325#post8634325 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ostrow
To your questions:

1. NO do not mix them together! 2-part is 2-part. Mix em and everything precipitates into snow and is useless!

2. Once each part is dissolved it'll stay dissolved, it's not like Kalk that needs to be stirred regularly.

3. Dose as needed (read: test!) I have a dosing pump (masterflex) that adds in a slow drip that is on a timer. Took me all of a week to figure out how many hours to run it. The Kalk I dose 24/7 (except during "stir" times).

4. Kalk maintains. It is hard to increase levels with Kalk alone. A good kalk addition means much less, or no supplements, needed -- that all depends on load, growth, etc.

5. NO do not add anything to the kalk!

6. Most of the magnesium ice melts I have seen are not sufficient. www.harveysalt.com will get you a 50lb bag of the MAG pellets. That'll last you a long time. I split a bag in Aug. 05 and have used half of it. The way I dose the 2-part, I am adding about 2 cups of a 50-50 mix of Epsom salts and MAG every Friday.

HTH

p.s. -- I may have an extra Masterflex available -- 2-channel dosing pump. Email me if interested and we can discuss.

I thought the Mg mix ratio was 10:1 (mag flake to epsom salts)?

 

[ostrow]

Hmmm... RHF may have changed that. For pellets, at the time I got them, it was, IIRC 2-1 pellets to epsom and 1-1 with flakes. But he may have adjusted all of that. Gotta go read again!

 

[Evolley1]

Thanks for coming by tonight Chris...much appreciated. At least I know my test kits are in line. Now for the numbers

Dkh 4
Mg 1500
Calcium 500+ (after two syringes not sure)

This means no more Turbo cal for awhile, kalk stirring time shortened, water changes, and more alk additions.

 

[ostrow]

So now what you need to know is that as you add alkalinity buffer, your Mg and CA levels will drop. It will surprise you how rapidly. Test 6-12 hrs after adding the buffer, test all 3. You'll find that within a couple days you'll be at the point where you are ready to do balanced additions of alk and ca supplement, with weekly mg additions.

 

[Doubledown]

Eric -

No worries. I believe we came to the conclusion that your levels were off due to a few multiplying factors that you have adressed.

Last bit of warning: DO NOT raise the Alk level too rapidly. Changing this too fast could be worse for your tank than the low level it is at now. Go slow.

Good Luck.

Chris