raising alkalinity and not ph

[snake1]

Is there another method to doing this beside sodium bicarbonate I don't have that just sodium carbonate and my pH is 8.35 and my alkalinity is 6.5 corals do not look happy or do any local shops sell sodium bicarbonate to fix this issue...or is there another option to fix this thanks ....

 

[sirrealism]

yes its called baking soda.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/4/chemistry

 

[magnoliarichj]

Don't chase ph make sure alk calcium and mag are level and it will balance it self out over time. Also check your water change water for the levels before the water change so you can buffer it before the change. This has helped me out dramatically.

 

[snake1]

I agree with you but I'm concerned with bringing my alk up over the next few days and my pH will be up above 8.5 if I dose that much

 

[ichthyman]

Unless that pH reading is from a freshly calibrated meter I wouldn't put too much faith in the tank actually being 8.5 .

 

[snake1]

Its been awhile since I calibrated it maybe a month ago but when I get home I will definitely do that to double check..

 

[ChadRaay86]

unless that ph reading is from a freshly calibrated meter i wouldn't put too much faith in the tank actually being 8.5 .

+1

 

[janes_mw]

+1 and cross check Alk test kit also. Just curious, what is your Ca, Mg, and salinity?

 

[snake1]

I checked it Friday with a salifert test kit that's still up to date just almost out and tested the same with brand new salifert test kits calcium ,magnesium ,and alkalinity .
Calcium 400 ......so I added enough to safely raise it ...my goal is 430
Alkalinity 6.5 ......so I'm slowly raising it I would like to be 9.5
Magnesium 1310. I'm OK there
Salinity 1.024 I keep it there.
I have noticed my alk goes down and my sps starts looking bad and some are bleaching.....
I'm adding 110ml of calcium and alkalinity a day throughout the day dosing and controlled with a reefkeeper elite I'm about to transfer over to a calcium reactor I just need a regulator and the media ....

 

[janes_mw]

I checked it Friday with a salifert test kit that's still up to date just almost out and tested the same with brand new salifert test kits calcium ,magnesium ,and alkalinity .
Calcium 400 ......so I added enough to safely raise it ...my goal is 430
Alkalinity 6.5 ......so I'm slowly raising it I would like to be 9.5
Magnesium 1310. I'm OK there
Salinity 1.024 I keep it there.
I have noticed my alk goes down and my sps starts looking bad and some are bleaching.....
I'm adding 110ml of calcium and alkalinity a day throughout the day dosing and controlled with a reefkeeper elite I'm about to transfer over to a calcium reactor I just need a regulator and the media ....

It's a finicky hobby :headwally:, I run my alk around 7.5 (by desire) and things good with all the rest of the numbers above (accept Salinity, I keep at conductivity of 53 mS or 35 ppt or 1.0259 specific Gravity). Some salts run higher Alk, might try that if you desire higher readings. Like above, betting pH is not as high as you think also.