NEED ADVICE - Alkalinity Problem

[downhillbiker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12572807#post12572807 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PadresGirl
I thought iodine was required for invertebrate molting?

i have heard this too, but all of my critters molt without it. matter of fact the cleaner molted this morning and it was stuck to a powerhead when i woke up, and i havent used iodine in over 3 months.

 

[downhillbiker]

and i too am curious what the calcium readings are, there is no way they are 1200 and if they were you shouldnt be adding buffer, thats 3x what they should be.

 

[Peter Eichler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12573687#post12573687 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
i have heard this too, but all of my critters molt without it. matter of fact the cleaner molted this morning and it was stuck to a powerhead when i woke up, and i havent used iodine in over 3 months.

You add iodine to your tank at least in small portions every time you feed. Nori and algae based foods especially have quite a bit of iodine. And we're talking a good amount of iodine, someone who feeds nori several times per week is probably adding several times to natural levels of iodine per week. Luckily iodine is quick absorbed and/or removed by the skimmer so it's not really a concern. But that's also why iodine dosing is pretty pointless and usually harmless as long as you're not going crazy with the dosing.

 

[Meaty24]

Oops. I meant that my calcium level is about 380... so I buffered a little. But my alkalinity is still almost 15.

Any more thoughts?

 

[Marklu]

It just means that your aquarium is slightly unbalanced ionic-ly speaking at the moment. Generally, if alk is to high then your calcium will fall, and vice versa. Thats why two part buffers are good, they keep things balanced. Just keep your calcium up, and your alk will fall naturally as the carbonates are used.

 

[ahullsb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12573687#post12573687 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by downhillbiker
i have heard this too, but all of my critters molt without it. matter of fact the cleaner molted this morning and it was stuck to a powerhead when i woke up, and i havent used iodine in over 3 months.

My understanding is that inverts do need iodine to molt, but there is enough iodine in your system already if you keep up on water changes.

 

[downhillbiker]

gocha. i do regular water changes, and have dropped the iodine dosing, and that is what i was recommending. dosing iodine is not needed, or rather serves no function.

 

[Meaty24]

So, I should continue to only buffer part A (the calcium buffer)? I haven't opened the Alkalinity buffer because those numbers are so high.

Is this the right move?

 

[Peter Eichler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12574263#post12574263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Meaty24
Oops. I meant that my calcium level is about 380... so I buffered a little. But my alkalinity is still almost 15.

Any more thoughts?

You still haven't told us exactly what buffer and calcium additive you're using.

 

[seapug]

Buffering will increase your Alkalinity. If you are using a two-part, dose only the calcium part. As others have said, when the Calcium goes up, the Alkalinity will go down, or you can just wait and do nothing and let the alkalinity fall on it's own, as it naturally does.

 

[Meaty24]

I am using ESV B-Ionic Calcium Buffer - the two component system.

But I only use the calcium part.