[vanceny]

I've been dosing Kalk with my top-off, does anyone do this as well? The problem that I'm having is my pH is 8.5. Is this too high? I add vinegar to the limewater to help with the pH issues but this sometimes causes algea to bloom. Is there a technique to keep the pH down while using limewater?

Also I've read most of the articles concerning limewater but nothing really addresses the issue.

[meschaefer]

I don't think that 8.5 is that high. Worse than high PH is large PH swings. Take multiple PH readings throughout the day to see how much of a swing you have. If your tank is staying somwhat steady at 8.5 I would not worry about it, I also wouldn't let it get much higher than that.

If you want to "fix" it you could put your ATO on a timer, and only dose at night when your PH is naturally depressed.

[vanceny]

Its pretty stable at that pH. I just thought it was too high. I would like to stop adding the vinegar but then the pH would really shoot up.

[lazibonez]

if you put your ATO on a timer, wouldn't your salinity rise during the day and drop back down when its topped off? That would cause a salinity swing.

I just started using Kalk with top off via ATO, I mix a batch of kalk with about 10 gallon reserve rodi top off water, it lasts me about a week and its loosely covered with a lid. Do you think mixing too much kalk top off water is a bad idea, since the potency should drop with time. Also I noticed that I got lots of white power floating around in my display after using kalk. What is the correct way to mix and use?

	RODI High quality filtration systems used to purify tap water before it is mixed with salt or added to the aquarium for evaporative top off. Most municipal water supplies contain unacceptable levels of Nitrate, Phosphate, Lead, Chlorine, Copper etc. It is critical that these impurities are removed as some are toxic to reef organisms and others fuel algal blooms that can quickly overtake a reef display. Again, there are many brands and many configurations to fit most applications.

[meschaefer]

Quote: Originally Posted by vanceny Its pretty stable at that pH. I just thought it was too high. I would like to stop adding the vinegar but then the pH would really shoot up.

I think that you are fine, as long as it remains stable. Adding vinegar is not that hard, and it is fairly inexpensive.

[meschaefer]

Quote: Originally Posted by lazibonez if you put your ATO on a timer, wouldn't your salinity rise during the day and drop back down when its topped off? That would cause a salinity swing. I just started using Kalk with top off via ATO, I mix a batch of kalk with about 10 gallon reserve rodi top off water, it lasts me about a week and its loosely covered with a lid. Do you think mixing too much kalk top off water is a bad idea, since the potency should drop with time. Also I noticed that I got lots of white power floating around in my display after using kalk. What is the correct way to mix and use?

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[vanceny]

The only real problem I have with the vinegar is that it feeds the bacteria and causes algea blooms. But I guess I have to continue doing it this way.

[VJ&POOPS]

Vance, dosing w/ your top-off may not be a good idea depending on our rate of evaporation.

Also pH at 8.5 is generally ok http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

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My method is reverse to yours, I used dosing as a means of top-off, then again I don't really have a high rate of evaporation. 1 gallon mix of each: Kalk, Strotium & Turbo Calcium, [3 separate containers]

[sapseven]

check yur ph hour or 2 after your lights go out .. it should drop

if its the same in the day time .. try getting a small fan to blow air over the waters surface. seems to elevate ph

[reefman]

if your ca & alk is acceptable stable levels. np with ph=8.5
i find when ph is high, ca drops low.