questions

twizzlerman77

twizzlerman77

Short Bus Rider
I finally got my calcium back up to 460 and have been monitoring it closely and dosing accordingly, but now my alk is really low.

I just recently started dosing my tank so its all new to me and I am still a bit confused as to what buffers do versus additives.

I have some Kent Marine Superbuffer dkh. Will this raise up and maintain my alk? It says it "builds the KH".

If this doesnt work... what is a cheap solution to raise and maintain my alk? baked baking soda?
 
i would suggest a two part dosing. you can do some reading about it in the reef chem forum. they have a nice read on dosing it and making it.
 
I have used the kent super buffer and it works good.
I am using the randys two part which you can google and use that works great and is cheap to make. Truthfully I wouldn't worry to much about my calc right now, your alk is so much more important.

Have you went up to the reef chemistry forum yet?
You can find the two part formula up there.
 
Go buy a $1.25 box of baking soda. Spread it out on a cookie sheet then bake in the oven on 300 degrees for a hour. Then use that for alk.

In my main system which is around 115gallons 1 heaping tablespoon raises alk right at 1 point.(IE. If it was a 8 1 spoon and its a 9)

In that same system I add 1 spoon every other day to maintain my alk at 8.6 - 9.6.

I add calcium every other week. I got through a lot of alk vs very little calcium.
 
i have been to the reef chemistry forum and did alot of reading but their is so much to learn, i think i hurt my brain trying to remember all of it at once.

My alk was fine until i started to try to get my calcium back into normal range from a whopping low low 360. i got it back up to 460 but now my alk went from 10 to between 6 and 7.

ill add the recommended dose of the kent kh buffer and hope for the best.

If anyone knows of any threads that may be able to help me understand this a little more. The less beating around the bush and more straight forward to the point threads would be awesome for me to read. Too much information all at once and it just confuses me.

Thanks for the help,
Bryan
 
When you get them both at the correct levels you should start to add equal amounts of calc and alk after that point to maintain your levels.

Until they are balanced the amounts of each that you have to add to get them balanced will vary.

+1 on baked baking soda. Mix it in a gallon container of RO water per Randys or 2 part soloutions instructions then dose a little at a time until you get it right
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14829415#post14829415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefnut1
When you get them both at the correct levels you should start to add equal amounts of calc and alk after that point to maintain your levels.

Until they are balanced the amounts of each that you have to add to get them balanced will vary.

+1 on baked baking soda. Mix it in a gallon container of RO water per Randys or 2 part soloutions instructions then dose a little at a time until you get it right
Click to expand...

When you get them balanced, you must add equal parts of both. Dosing one can drive the other down, i.e. adding a Calcium supplement will drive the alk down somewhat, depending on amount dosed.
 
sounds like you have a Mg issue. look into that and if you need to bring it up you can do that with epsom salt...

BK
 
imho
I think one problem is you have a small tank and you are running it sounds like quite a broad selection of corals.

Small tanks are more difficult to keep stable so I would recommend doing a two part if you have sps.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14829847#post14829847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by El Diablo
imho
I think one problem is you have a small tank and you are running it sounds like quite a broad selection of corals.

Small tanks are more difficult to keep stable so I would recommend doing a two part if you have sps.
Click to expand...

I can see that i probably have a very heavy bio load coral wise.

I only have 1 sps (about a 6 inch multiple branch green slimer) a few small monticap frags, 1 small hammer, 1 small frogspawn, and about 30 kinds of zoas and a few other miscelaneous softies like leathers, gsp, and psp.

I am going to continue to use the kent dkh buffer instead of the 2 part... i will more then likely switch to 2 part once i finish the buffers and additives that i have.

I really really appreciate all the advice and help guys/girls please keep it coming it has helped me alot and saved me plenty of confusion as well.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14829682#post14829682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Schplitter
sounds like you have a Mg issue. look into that and if you need to bring it up you can do that with epsom salt...

BK
Click to expand...

Honestly i have never tested my Mg so this could be the problem. I think i remember being told to get my calcium and alk in line before i worried about my Mg. Or should i worry about my Mg first?
 
Mg will help in keeping your calc and alk stable.

If your mag is off then you will be apt to swings in alk, calc.
 
I got some epsom salt tonight at the store. Can someone explain to me how much i need to be adding and what not, or post a link? Either would work.

I also picked up some baking soda for when i run out of my kent dkh buffer.

I still need to get a Mg test kit before i start trying to straighten it out. If this is even the problem I wont know till I test it.

I also would appreciate some recommendation as to what is a good kit without paying an arm and a leg for it.
 
I got a Mg test kit yesterday.

What is an acceptable range?

I also would like some more info on using epsom salts since i bought some to help control my Mg.
 
I actually keep my mg higher. 1550 but 1400-1600 is fine.


To dose epsom I ussually just add a cup at a time let run for a hour then retest. If I know I need to raise mine 300 points and 1 cup raised it 60 then I would add another 4 cups then let sit for a hour or 2 then retest.
 
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