what is using all the alk?!?!?

[Monster00101]

I have been battling low alk for a while now. Its not real low but its 1200 ppm. It got as low as 800 ppm. That was my fault for being lazy and not testing. Throughe water changes and dosing it is coming up. I did get it to 1400ppm and it is starting to drop again. What is using the alk? I'm fairly new to this and all I dose with is seachem mixed with top up water. Could somebody please give me some clarity into my situation?

Thanks. Jeff

 

[HighlandReefer]

Are you refering to your magnesium level or alkalinity level?

Alkalinity should range between 125 ppm - 196 ppm CaCO3.

Are you topping your tank off (evaporated water) using salt mix water?

 

[bertoni]

Magnesium, calcium, and alkalinity all are consumed by coralline algae and stony corals. Usually, magnesium drops very slowly. Can you give us some time frames and numbers for the changes you're seeing? Having alkalinity drop 2 dKH per day or more is fairly common, for example.

 

[Monster00101]

Yeah sorry I meant 120. I top up evaporated water with fresh water. I didn't realize they use that much ibdont have many stonys but I have a lot f coriline and it spreads fast. Mag and calc I never have a problem with. When it dropped real low I wasn't doing big enoughe water changes every week and wasn't testing for a month. Lesson learnt. I mbye teted last week and it was 140 then I did a water change and tested today and it was 120. From what bertoni said. I guess that answers my question. So do I have to dose everyday? Is there a device to do this for me?

 

[HighlandReefer]

The easiest way to increase your alk level would be to use baking soda and then use the Chemistry Calcuator to determine how much to add when it is low. You don't want to add more baking soda then will raise your alk by 2 dKH (35.7 ppm) at a time. After a few doses this way checked daily or so, you will know how much you need to add daily or so.

Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[Monster00101]

The easiest way to increase your alk level would be to use baking soda and then use the Chemistry Calcuator to determine how much to add when it is low. You don't want to add more baking soda then will raise your alk by 2 dKH (35.7 ppm) at a time. After a few doses this way checked daily or so, you will know how much you need to add daily or so.

Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Ok thanks so when I get it where I want do I use baking soda everyday or my seachem alk.

 

[bertoni]

The SeaChem alkalinity supplement likely is okay, although I'd use baking soda. Which exact product are you using?

A DIY 2-part likely is a better way to go over the long haul. There are a number of vendors for the basic ingredients.

 

[Monster00101]

I am using reef builder. But if baking soda is the way to go then I would be happy to use that instead. Will adding baking soda lower my calc? Is it better to use something like seachemreef advantage calcium or something like purple up?

 

[Monster00101]

The easiest way to increase your alk level would be to use baking soda and then use the Chemistry Calcuator to determine how much to add when it is low. You don't want to add more baking soda then will raise your alk by 2 dKH (35.7 ppm) at a time. After a few doses this way checked daily or so, you will know how much you need to add daily or so.

Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Thanks for the calculator very usefull.

 

[HighlandReefer]

YOur welcome.

 

[bertoni]

The Reef Builder is fine. It's mostly baking soda, and you might as well use it up. I just used baking soda because it was cheaper. Adding an alkalinity supplement won't lower the calcium measurably unless the water parameters are out of recommended guidelines.

SeaChem Reef Advantage is mostly calcium chloride, and it's fine to use. Purple Up doesn't work, so I'd avoid that.

 

[Monster00101]

Well thanks a lot for all ur help I learned a lot. I now understand how to keep my alk in check.its the only thing I have had problems with when it comes it params. Thanks again guys.

 

[bertoni]

You're welcome! Good luck!