low alk

[acrodave]

Im going to ask you all befour i go into the Chemistry Forum and get lost. My alk has droped here the last few mths. It was one of the few test i did not do that often . i use tmpr and bio-calcuim. and that had it up to like 11-12dkh all the time. But now that my acros have exploded in growth my alk has crashed. i have been useing probuffer at 2x dose and is only getting up to 6-7 dkh on a tropicmarin test. my ca is at 440 and mag is 1500+.Should i try a diff buffer or just keep doseing what i got. how bout superbuffer you think its any better

 

[cee]

I use baked baking soda and maintain 9-10 dKH consistently. You can go here (http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html) to calculate how much buffer to add to your system to boost the alkalinity to your desired level. Since you're running Zeo, you probably want to shoot for around 8, no higher than 9. Alkalinity is the most important test IMO, so you may want to step up your testing frequency.

(other) Dave

 

[acrodave]

thanks (other)Dave.. now i did not know this about the tropicmairin bio... DO NOT USE FOR INCREASING CALCIUM ONLY. IT IS A BALANCED ADDITIVE, IT WILL ADD 1 meq/lt OF ALKALINITY FOR EVERY 20 PPM OF CALCIUM....I do test it more now since the new test is very easy to do and read

 

[goreefer]

I agree with Dave Anderson. I too use baking soda to keep my alk between 9-10. I also use the calculator that he gave in his post.
Baking soda is very economical, easy to find in any grocery store, and is food grade.
Dave, didn't you start using ZEO a few weeks ago?

 

[acrodave]

yeah its been about 9 weeks in or so. oops me or other dave

 

[cee]

I'm glad you discovered what may be a problem with your dosing regime.

Dave

 

[Ratpack]

The calculator says you can use baking soda without baking it, is that true? I don't mind baking it but it would be easier to just use it right out of the container.

 

[ct_vol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12604826#post12604826 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ratpack
The calculator says you can use baking soda without baking it, is that true? I don't mind baking it but it would be easier to just use it right out of the container.

All baking does is change the amount of carbon dioxide and water in the baking soda:

2 NaHCO3 à Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2

More, or less, baking will only alter the pH increase upon addition to the aquarium. However, substantial under-baking may make it impossible to fully dissolve the solid material in the recipe, as sodium bicarbonate is less soluble than sodium carbonate (which is why Recipe #2 is more dilute). Overbaking with respect to time or temperature has no negative effect.

Taken from:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Look toward bottom: The Design of the Calcium and Alkalinity Parts