Raise my Alk?

[carfac]

Hi:

REAL Noob here, so please bear with me....

Been noticing a bit of whitening on some corals- most notably some zoas. Color in general is a bit bleached, but some have white spots on their faces... or rings of white (depending on the zoa)...

Anyway, decided to get the test kits out. Ca is OK, maybe a bit high- 490-500. But the Alk worries me, too low. It has always been a bit low- 2.5 to 3 meq/L, but today it came in at 1.5.

pH is 8.1

I use Marin Tropic Pro, and (Always!) RO water. I just mixed in some Oceanic into my salt barrel, so I am probably getting a good mix of that in (just wanted to finish it out).

First, are these two problems related? Second, what can/should I do to raise alk w/o putting everything else out of balance?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[bertoni]

Many tanks need daily supplementation of calcium and alkalinity. A 2-part like B-Ionic (or its DIY equivalent) is an easy way to get started. This article might help:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

For the moment, some baking soda dissolved in RO-DI water will get alkalinity back up to safe levels. This calculator will help with a dose:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

I'd dose it up to 3.5 meq/L in two or three shots. The doses can be added fairly quickly. Just give enough time for the supplement to mix thoroughly with the tank water, which should be only a minute or so. The calculator requires a guess at the tank water volume, so do some measuring after a dose or so.

 

[carfac]

Jonathan:

As always, you are so helpful- gets me going! Looks like I need to add 3 tps (1 tbsp) 0f Baking SODA- added one, will test Alk and pH, and move on again!

Dave

 

[carfac]

Hmmmm...

Alk went up higher, quicker than I expected. Luckily, I dosed 1/3 total, so nothing is out of hand. I am at 3.5 meq/l, so that is good.... but I dropped pH, to between 8.0 and 8.1. I know that is not too bad, should I raise that? HOW?

Dave

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would not worry much about the pH unless it drops below 8.0

If you bake the baking soda first, it will also raise pH, as will limewater and more fresh air. This article has moire:

Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

 

[carfac]

Randy:

Thanks. Tested again this morning, looking good. I will keep an eye on it over the next few days. If I need to raise alk again, I will bake the BS!

If I aim for 3.5 meq/L and 8.1 pH, and I have Ca of 480 or so, does this seem good? What should I aim for?

Dave

 

[reefmatenate]

you calcium IMO is a little high but fine I noticed you said you use Oceanic salt which is usually low in alk in all the testings I have done mine was around 4dkh just use the calculator and you will be set !

 

[bertoni]

Be careful about using baked baking soda for large additions. It can spike the pH quite a bit. The small drop from baking soda is usually not much of an issue.

 

[carfac]

Jonathan:

Thanks- I was doing 1/2 tps. a half hour....

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If I aim for 3.5 meq/L and 8.1 pH, and I have Ca of 480 or so, does this seem good? What should I aim for?

The parameter goals look fine to me. This article has more:

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