loading phosphate reactor?

[Vauche]

Ok, I'm sure this is a silly question but I have to ask.

I'm using Pura Phoslock. The directions say 1tbs to 20G for reef for 1 month. Now I'm using a reactor so my question is can I put more than 1 month in the reactor? This is the maiden voyage so I am a little worried about lowering my ALK as it is already a little on the low side.

Second question is in consideration to the above. If my ALK goes even lower, currently at 7.4 -8 how can I increase it if my pH is already running 8.33-8.5 in the evenings (lights off time)? I'm thinking baking soda but I want to be sure.

Thanks for any info you can give me.

 

[seapug]

I use a full dose of th TLf PhosBan in he reactor on my 90 gallon. If you are having alkalinity problems, use this site to figure out how to correct it:

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

 

[Aquarist007]

To raise you alk you could use Kent Super DkH--it will have little impact on the pH

 

[Aquarist007]

Re: loading phosphate reactor?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13118489#post13118489 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Vauche
Ok, I'm sure this is a silly question but I have to ask.

I'm using Pura Phoslock. The directions say 1tbs to 20G for reef for 1 month. Now I'm using a reactor so my question is can I put more than 1 month in the reactor? This is the maiden voyage so I am a little worried about lowering my ALK as it is already a little on the low side.

Second question is in consideration to the above. If my ALK goes even lower, currently at 7.4 -8 how can I increase it if my pH is already running 8.33-8.5 in the evenings (lights off time)? I'm thinking baking soda but I want to be sure.

Thanks for any info you can give me.

You should change it out after the first month of operation--using more will just waste it

 

[Vauche]

Well then 1 month it will be, just doesn't seem like a lot. Expected vs. reality- often very different.

 

[mixed_reefer]

Plain arm and hammer baking soda will raise alk without raising pH, it may actually lower it a little short term. The calculator you were linked to is an indispensable tool, bookmark it.

 

[Vauche]

Cool, that's what I thought but wanted to double check, just in case!

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13118752#post13118752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mixed_reefer
Plain arm and hammer baking soda will raise alk without raising pH, it may actually lower it a little short term. The calculator you were linked to is an indispensable tool, bookmark it.

you are correct--that is why I didn't suggest using it--because it does affect pH a little