Limewater Help Please

W

WickedBlue28

New member
I've had my 28g NanoCube tank up and running for about 4-5 months now. I bought it used so I was able to save a lot of the prior owners water and of course all the sand and rock.

I've been doing 20% water changes just about every week and sometimes every 2 weeks but thats it.

I got some dunkins, Firefly Echinopora (which is getting huge and bleached out), frogspawn, mushrooms, Fluorescent Green Star Polyps and Zoanthids.

Well my frogspawn is not coming out to play anymore and I think it may be 2 reasons. The quad CF bulb is dulling and I have not been adding ANYTHING else to the tank but saltwater.

So limewater. I've reading several threads and articals most by Randy and still confused as to the stuff needed to do it. Being my tanks is smaller I'm sure I have different needs. I'm not looking to get more stuff as I got a AIO to make it simple and I'm guess most people with nano tanks add it to their top off water.

*So help me understand, I get some Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime and White Vinegar and do what with it? Ratio to ratio how often ect

*Anything else I should be adding to the tank?

*Also I've been buying distilled water at my water store instead of RO is this better or worse?


Thank you hopefully these questions can help others
 
Test your Ca/Alk/Mg levels before dosing anything. You may not even need to be adding kalk if your parms are ok.
 
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I wouldn't mess with vinegar for now.

First select how you want to dose the limewater (a dripper or a dosing pump or ATO system or a reactor).

Then start with 0.5 - 1 teaspoon per gallon of fresh water and add that to the tank to replace evaporation for a few days and see what happens to alkalinity. :)
 
Thanks for the warm welcome assuming that water was 80 degrees.

I think the easiest way for me is going to be when I top off the water.

So what do I do go to the store and buy some Mrs. Wages and add .5-1 teaspoon of it to a gallon of water and pour it in?
 
The limewater needs to be dripped slowly into the tank, via a doser or a very slow pump. If it's added quickly, it'll spike the pH, which will cause problems.
 
Thanks for your help. With a AIO NanoCube I bought it to try to have everything in one. The tank is set up in my livingroom and that's the way my wife likes it.

I was hoping to not add additional stuff and don't mind pouring in chemicals once a day or so.

How about something like Brightwell Aquatics Reef Code A&B?
 
The Reef Code, B-Ionic or a similar product or DIY version would be easier to start up than Kalk, IMO, just because it's easier not to have to drip.
 
I think that's the way I'll start for now. I've noticed a change in my frogspawn and want to get him back to health.

Is Reef Code or B-Ionic better? Any suggestions from those that have used both.
 
well if you are only adding saltwater then your salt levels are going to be off the chart. As the water evaporates the salt stays and you need to add fresh water to replace the stuff that evaporates.
 
WickedBlue28 said:
I think that's the way I'll start for now. I've noticed a change in my frogspawn and want to get him back to health.

Is Reef Code or B-Ionic better? Any suggestions from those that have used both.
Click to expand...

When it comes to picking a two part, you are going on faith that the company uses a good recipe since there is no data on any of them. I trust ESV with chemical issues more than most reef supply companies, so I'd pick B-ionic above most others, except perhaps a DIY (due to lower cost).
 
WickedBlue28 said:
I've had my 28g NanoCube tank up and running for about 4-5 months now...and I have not been adding ANYTHING else to the tank but saltwater.
Click to expand...

I assume you meant freshwater. If you are topping off with saltwater, your salinity may be creeping slowly through the roof. What is your salinity in the tank now?
 
Meslo said:
well if you are only adding saltwater then your salt levels are going to be off the chart. As the water evaporates the salt stays and you need to add fresh water to replace the stuff that evaporates.
Click to expand...

Sorry if my statement was misleading. Saltwater for changes and distiled for topping off. I was trying to say I was just doing water changes but not doing any dosing.
 
Last edited:
T Diddy said:
I assume you meant freshwater. If you are topping off with saltwater, your salinity may be creeping slowly through the roof. What is your salinity in the tank now?
Click to expand...

I keep salinity around 1.26.

I bought a test kit for Ca2 and KH yesterday and I've tested yesterday and today.

Yesterday Ca2 was = 320
Today Ca2 is = 340

Yesterday KH was = 107.4
Today KH is = 143.2

I'm planning on dosing everyday until I can get my levels up.
 
What are you dosing now?

Don't dose any balanced calcium and alkalinity method trying to boost the calcium because alkalinity will get too high.
 
My LFS recommend PurpleUp for the Ca2 and I already had some from the prior owner.

They also suggested Seachem Reef Carbonate for the AK

That's what I've been using for 2 days
 
They are both low so I'm trying to get them both higher by dosing something for each. Am I correct?

I really appreciate your help. I care for my fish and tank and only want the best for them.
 
OK, first step is to stop the Purple Up. It is not a useful calcium and alkalinity supplement. The fine sand in it doesn't dissolve at normal reef tank pH, despite claims otherwise, and if still suspended in the water, will lead to false high calcium and alkalinity results.

Baking soda is as good as any buffer you'll buy (bake it first if you also want a pH boost), but the Seachem Reef Carbonate is also OK.

Look for some sort of calcium chloride (DIY, Kent turbo calcium, etc) for the calcium boost. :)
 
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