Help Please

[outeastreef]

I have a 150 gal mixed reef system running for 1 1/2 years. Everything was going well until now. I can not keep the alk and ph where they should be. My alk is 5.5, my ph goes from 7.7 in the morning to 7.9 at night. calcium is over 500. Would it be best to drip sodium carbonate to raise bolth alk and ph or kalkwasser?

 

[CHEMCHEF]

I would get some two part and start adding part 1 while monitoring your levels. This will bring up your alk and drop your cal. When your cal comes down to 400 or so start adding part 1 and 2. You need to get you alk up in the 7.5-8 range minimum. Get there's lowly as to not do more damage to you livestock. In doing this your ph should come up also.
You could also do some big water changes. 40+ gallons at a clip.
What is your maintenence schedule water change wise???

 

[outeastreef]

Hi Chemchef I change 35 gal every week using salinity salt mix. My system is 120 gal dsb. display tank a 65 gal refug., cal reactor with ph controller. eshopps psk200 protein skimmer. I do test with hanna testers. cal, alk,and ulr phos. refractometer for makeup water to 1.026. What two part are you referring to.

 

[Arnaldo24]

Pretty sure hes talking about 2 part calcium and alkalinity.
Part 1 been alkalinity and part 2 been calcium. One of the most use it BRS part 2. Look it up.
Dont know if u can get away without it been that u have a calcium reactor.

 

[outeastreef]

Thanks I will look it up.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

If you have a calcium reactor I'm sure someone with that knowledge will jump in.

 

[peteyboyny]

Have you tested a fresh batch of saltwater? Maybe you got a bad batch of salt.

 

[outeastreef]

Hi Pete Yes I do test salt mix.Have not had a bad batch of salinity salt yet.

 

[outeastreef]

I have been dosing with Aquavitro 8.4 for 1 week now does not seem to buffer like I thought it would.

 

[MIKE NY]

have you checked your magnesium yet? it should be between 1350-1500...it helps stablize alk and cal levels. The cal reactor may have to be adjusted if you haven't done so in the year and a half it's been running because as things grow the demand gets higher.

 

[duke62]

And check your reactor for clogs.

 

[outeastreef]

Hi Mike I did adjust the cal reactor for approx 2 bubbles per min drip rate 2 per min, also changed the media last month.. Mag is a little low at 1250.

 

[mbg75]

What's the cal and alk on your fresh saltwater?

Your mag could be bumped up a bit.

I would slowly hand dose your alk only to get it up. You can dose then test alk about 2-3 hours after dosing to see how much it went up.

Bring the alk up slowly over a week or so.

How old are your test kits?

 

[outeastreef]

mbg75 Hi My test kits are new hanna digital testers. I am using aquavitro salinity which mixes close to nsw at 35ppt. I am going to try to increase the output of the cal reactor to try and increase the alk. Let you know. Thanks all.

 

[mbg75]

No. Don't increase the reactor. That will raise both.
The reactor should only be used to maintain levels. Not to adjust them.
You need to get the cal alk back to normal levels.
Dose alk component only. Such as bright wells code b. There are other brands out there.
As you raise the alk. The cal will come down.

 

[outeastreef]

Bingo I did find the output tube of the reactor was clogged. I will dose reef builder alk. Good call guys Thanks

 

[mbg75]

From what i understand, Seachem reef builder contains calcium too.
If that's the case. It will make it worse.

 

[duke62]

Glad I helped. What kind if reactor is it?

 

[House of Laughter]

Your Mg is too low to stay balanced with those levels of ALK and ca

FWIW

House

 

[outeastreef]

It raises carbonate alkalinity.Should not affect ph that much.