low alk with home made 2 part

[poknsnok]

Hey there... I began using Randy's 2 part (recipe 1) 6 weeks ago and notice my alk and ph running a little lower than it did when I used B-Ionic. Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

[twon8]

just add more of the alk part, maybe just mixed up a little weak.
what is a little low?
what is your ca?
mg?

 

[PUGroyale]

Are you using the lower pH recipe? One will raise it and one won't. Do yourself a favor and drip 1 part ... Kalkwasser. That'll fix you right up :thumbsup:

 

[Billybeau1]

You must not have mixed it right because Randys alk portion is about twice as potent as B-Ionics alk

 

[Wiskey]

It depends on which resipe you use, one is twice as potent as the other.

Whiskey

 

[poknsnok]

im using the first recipe.. where its comprised of 2.5 cups of baking soda.. my alk is about 8... used to be about 12... i know 8 isnt bad being that sea water is 9.2 (+/-).. my ca is good... about 250 and mag has been good (1300)

 

[Billybeau1]

I hope thats a typo. Calcium at 250 is way too low.

 

[twon8]

so start using more of the alk part.

 

[poknsnok]

typo

typo

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7951010#post7951010 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
I hope thats a typo. Calcium at 250 is way too low.

it is .. its 450.. Ill try more of the Alk..

 

[Wiskey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7951043#post7951043 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by twon8
so start using more of the alk part.

:thumbsup:

Whiskey

 

[PUGroyale]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7951003#post7951003 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poknsnok
im using the first recipe.. where its comprised of 2.5 cups of baking soda.. my alk is about 8... used to be about 12... i know 8 isnt bad being that sea water is 9.2 (+/-).. my ca is good... about 250 and mag has been good (1300)

NSW is 7 (+/-) ...8 is perfect IME

 

[poknsnok]

I plan on getting a ca reactor soon anyway... if santa cooperates

 

[david8956]

Check the chemistry calculator again. On 75 gals it takes about 25% more of Randy's 2 part (1st recipe) than B-Ionic to raise Alk from 6 dkh to 8 dkh. It just isn't as concentrated as the B-Ionic. (I have read Randy's recipe was made this way on purpose because any stronger and it's too difficult to get it to disolve properly without special equipment)

In case you need the link:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[Billybeau1]

Well I must be missing something because according to the calculator, it takes 21.4 tsp of Randy's recipe and 57. 9 tsp of B-Ionic for a 75 gal tank to raise from 6 to 8 dkh.

 

[david8956]

I checked it again. 75 gals, change from 6 dkh to 8 dkh, results were:

Randy's 2 - part, recipe #1 (the stronger of the two) - Alk part;

107.1 ml, or 3.6 fl. oz, or 21.7 tsp


ESV B-Ionic Original;

72.3 ml, or 2.4 fl oz, 04 14.4 tsp

Don't get me wrong, I love Randy's two part. Used it exclusively for almost 2 years now, but it is less concentrated than some of the "store bought" 2 part additives. $$ savings more than makes up for it though.

 

[Billybeau1]

OK, I was using the bicarbinate part 1

I stand corrected