ph alk Q?

[710RAY]

Iv bin trying to up my ph in the last week or so. Iv ordered a ATO an kalk for my 5gal top off water. How much should i start off with @ these parameters? direction say 1tsp per 1gal.

I have a biocube 14 with the hood still on. do you think opening the hood at night may bring up my ph?

cal. is @400
ph @ 7.7 in the am/7.8/7.9 in ev.
KH @12.5 alk @44.54
nitrate @ 0
nitrite @ 0
Amo.@ 0

 

[bertoni]

I would let the alkalinity drop to 8-9 dKH or so, first of all. Have you been dosing pH buffers to increase the pH? They all add alkalinity, despite any advertising. After the alkalinity is at a better level, 5 tsp of Kalk in 5g of water is a reasonable place to start.

Taking the hood off might help, but I never found that necessary with my 12g setup.

 

[Tomtopping]

What's normal all levels?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What's normal all levels?

This has more on recommended levels, if that is the question:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

 

[710RAY]

yes i was adding a buffer last week to bump up ph , when someone told me the same thing about alk. i stopped using it. how can i drop alk? water change? Thank you Randy!!

 

[710RAY]

bump

 

[outssider]

it'll drop on it's own in time, until you start topping off with kalk. 12.5 is a bit high but shouldn't be a problem. I would double check the ph with another test kit.

 

[710RAY]

i tested with a ph pen & aip test kit same reading on the ph. I just hooked up my ATO with just strait RO/DI water . should i wait on adding the kalk then till alk comes down?

 

[bertoni]

I agree that the alkalinity should drop on its own. I would wait on the Kalk until the dKH was 9-10 or so, personally.

 

[710RAY]

sounds good. ill wait do a water change and test. thanks for all the help! thanks bertoni ,Randy, outssider!!

 

[bertoni]

You're welcome! Good luck!

 

[710RAY]

BY the way should i cut back on putting calcium in the tank to help lower my alk? cal. is around 400

 

[710RAY]

bump

 

[bertoni]

Adding calcium won't change the alkalinity level any measurable amount unless it's overdosed to the point of causing precipitation. I think 400 ppm is fine for calcium, and I'd stop dosing.