Raise my alk without affecting other parameters?

[hawaiifavo]

Hi all,

I would like to raise my alkalinity - since upgrading from a 65G to a 125G 9 months ago I have not been able to get it above 7.0 when previously I was always averaging 10.0.

My tank is mostly SPS with some zoas and a green toadstool.

Some of my corals are just not doing as well as they were previously, (particularly my duncans and torch corals) with growth slowing to a virtual halt and not looking anywhere near as full and healthy as they once did and low dKH is the only thing at this point I can attribute that to at this point.

I use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals and TLF Kaulk in my ATO (no other supplements).

Here are my my most recent parameter results taken with Elos test kits:

NH3/4 - 0
NO3 - 0.5
PO4 - 0-0.05
Ca - 400
Mg - 1400-1500 (test kit was empty - ordered a new one today)
dKH - 7.0
pH - 8.2 @ 1pm
Salinity - 1.026 (refractometer tested)
Temp 77.6

I have already read about using baking soda to raise the alkalinity but wanted to see what other people thought before I go down that route as this seems to be one of the better forums for good information and advise.

Thanks

 

[downbeach]

Plain A&H Baking Soda is fine, use 1 1/8 cup in a gallon or RO/DI water, use this calculator, fill in the blanks for your system, and select Randy's Recipe #2 from the drop down menu.

 

[bertoni]

I agree that baking soda will have a very minimal effect on the pH. The DIY solution should be easy to mix. You can use the low-pH 2-part products, although they are a lot more costly. B-Ionic makes one, for example.

 

[nemodan]

If you have that low nutrient system will not be better to keep the Alk at around 7-8 dkh ?

Could be those corals are being affected by something else. What about the rest ?

 

[bertoni]

Some tanks do seem to have problems with higher alkalinity levels. Others don't, even when running with carbon dosing. I don't know of any data that shows what is happening when problems show up.