pH, Alk, lime and dosing systems? help

[mkp523]

I recently bought a pH monitor because I couldnt stand the color chart anymore. Here I find my pH sitting at 7.8. I tested my alkalinity and it was around 2.4 meq/L. I thought I would kill two birds with one stone and so I mixed up some baking soda. I must have overdosed because the next day the Alk was over 5.5 meq/L. The pH at least rose to 8.0. I'm setting up for a 5 gallon water change to bring the Alk down.

As for the pH problems, how should I go about raising it? I've read a bit about limewater, but I don't know what I'm looking for. What can I do to maintain my pH around 8.3-8.4? Do I need a kalkreactor or can i simply buy a water top off pump and a 5 gallon bucket to mix a kalkwasser supplement (kent marine, ect.) in? I've seen many of the articles about this but they lose me when they try to explain the chemistry behind it :/

Any suggestions would be great. Cheap routes to go, expensive. I'd like to hear what some other people do to maintain their water parameters. As far as reactors and water top off systems go, any recommendations of specific products is appreciated.

Ca 415-425
Mg 1300
Nitrite/Nitrate/Amm 0
Specific Grav 1.024

Thanks,
Mark

 

[dhoch]

Mark,

When did you read your pH?

pH fluctuates during the day... it's typically the lowest right before lights on and highest just before lights out.

Knowing how your pH fluctuates is very import before you start trying to do anything to correct it.

Because pH dips at night (when lights are out) many people does kalk (slowly) at night (the kalk raises the pH and can often have a stabelizing affect if done correctly).

That's how I do it... I started with a dosing pump (peristalic pump) and a bucket, but have since moved on to a kalk reactor so I don't have to mix it every day.

Dave

 

[mkp523]

My pH is usually 7.9 during the night since i added the baking soda. By time I get home from work around 3-4 pm its usually at 8.0 the rest of the evening. I'd like to have a pH of 8.3-8.4 during the day, and 8.2-8.3 during the night. (it seems to only go down a tenth when lights are off)

What kind of kalkreactor do you use? Did you need to purchase a pH controller as well? Where do you get limewater? I'm thinking just going the whole 9 yards if its not too pricey. I found 2 on marinedepot.com:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_calcium_reactors_aqua_medic_kalkwasserreactor.asp?CartId=
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_calcium_reactors_precision_marine_kalkreactor.asp?CartId=

Any good?
Thanks,
Mark

 

[dhoch]

Mark,

Not sure why you want your pH up that high, but it's your call... mine runs between ~8.0 and 8.2

I bought a used kalkreactor (reeftek) off a local guy who was breaking down his tank.

No I do not use a pH controller (allthough my ACIII is effectively one, I do not use it)... Instead I used a dosing pump to slowly add the kalkwasser during the evening (main lights in the tank off)

As for limewater, I mix kalk with RO/DI (actually the kalk reactor does it)... I used to get my kalk by using Kent product (kalk)... More recently I got a 50 lb bag of Lime with my local club...

I can't really say to much about the 2 units you mentioned as I have never used either of them...

How do you plan to add the kalkwasser?


Dave

 

[Agu]

How do your corals look. Don't get too hung up on chasing numbers and adding chemicals if your tank is healthy. Slow changes over time beats getting to the ideal measurement.

Also hobbyist test kits or monitors are just that, hobbyist equipment. They're better for showing trends than accurately measuring parameters. I sold my pH monitor years ago and I've never missed it .............

A simple way to drip kalk is here,

A Simple DIY Kalk Dripper

 

[mkp523]

I thought higher pH was better for reef setups. As for my coral's health. everything looks fine except my metallic green brain coral. I've had it for months and just recently it looks like the skeleton is showing through. My yellow polyps are all shriveled up. Yet, I have 4 other types over polyp colonies that look as healthy as can be. I also have a green LTA that my clowns hosted in a while back. Sometimes it curls up so small that it looks like a little bud no bigger then a nickel. That worries me the most; It still eats mysis every week, but I'm still concerned. I've had it nearly 8 months with no problem, would hate to mess it up now.

I wanted a kalkreactor because i thought it would maintain control better than i can. I read that article, very helpful. If i went with that method, how large of a container should i use and appropriate drip rate for a 30 gallon? I can't pay attention to the pH while I'm sleeping or at work, thats why I thought I needed a pH controller and a compadible kalkreactor. Anyway, thanks for your replies.. I'm getting there.

Thanks again,
Mark

 

[mkp523]

bump