Kalk and low evaporation rate
- Thread starter tthnow
- Start date
I am trying to stabilize PH at 8.4 consistently. I am currently using 2 tsb per gallon, are you saying I can increase it by adding more tsb? this will increase my potency?
2 tsb at moment and it keeps increasing freshwater, trying to avoid salinity drop since my evap is not as fast.
mcgyvr
New member
I hope you are paying attention to your alkalinity too..
Typically trying to keep/brute force PH that high is going to be a big mistake and you will likely just skyrocket your alk in doing so. As long as PH is above ~7.6 your tank will do just fine..
IMO let PH be what its going to be..
Typically trying to keep/brute force PH that high is going to be a big mistake and you will likely just skyrocket your alk in doing so. As long as PH is above ~7.6 your tank will do just fine..
IMO let PH be what its going to be..
newbie2014
New member
You can add vinegar to increase Kalk solubility, and make it more potent. But that also means you'll be carbon dosing along with the kalk.
But like mcgyvr said, you should only do this to keep the alkalinity constant, not pH. I have never checked my pH since I switched from fresh water about 4 years ago.
nereefpat
New member
If you are already using 2 teaspoons per gallon, then the kalk is saturated. Like others have said, you can add vinegar to the mix, but then you are also carbon dosing.
If the kalk isn't keeping up with alk and Ca: Then you can try to increase evaporation, add vinegar, switch to 2 part, or hand dose to make up the difference.
I agree that if this is about pH, then quit worrying about it all together.
If the kalk isn't keeping up with alk and Ca: Then you can try to increase evaporation, add vinegar, switch to 2 part, or hand dose to make up the difference.
I agree that if this is about pH, then quit worrying about it all together.
crawlerman
Member
What are your alk and calcium levels?
Alk is 8.7 before starting up kalk, have not checked cal. Was only trying to stabilize PH.
Its currently at 8.23 with the sump light on, as I had to refresh evap at 12 noon and is now turned off. Its holding at 8.23 fairly well I must say!
I only ran it for 40 mins on my lunch hour. I thought it would keep dropping? I assume PH stabilizes to a minimum to a certain drop point? if so, I am very happy with 8.2.
I have never used kalk before. Its holding at 8.23 for almost 3 1/2 hrs as we speak, I can see why people keep the sump light on now, maybe I should just keep at all times.
crawlerman
Member
kalk shouldn't raise salinity, and alk is way more important than pH unless it drops really low. I had a tank in a new, air sealed house and my pH was always 7.7-7.9 with no problems. Alk swings will cause problems and you should be testing that more than anything. If alk can't be maintained with kalk then you need to add baking soda or the buffer part of your two part. You should do some research on mag/calcium/alk balance.
mcgyvr
New member
You are stating some values but its not really clear whats going on here..
Alk was 8.7 then 6.5 then 8 ? huh?
The very first thing is to ensure you can make accurate measurements of parameters before you go attempting to modify them.. I'm not convinced you can do that yet..
Spyderturbo007
New member
Most definitely. You'll want to invest in a new test kit. You can continue to use them after they expire, provided you have a way to verify the result. I work at a lab, so I have the benefit of being able to make my own standards to verify the test kits. If you don't have that ability, I would recommend replacing the expired kit(s)
nereefpat
New member
kalk, unlike 2-part, will not raise salinity over time.
I agree, though, that we need to get testing figured out first.
