alkalinity adjustment

[Dargason]

My 200g tank has been up and running for about a month now, and I've been dosing kalk. No water changes yet, and the tank is very lightly stocked with only three very small fish from my 20 g.

I've been happy with my calcium level, which is around 450, and my pH swings between 8.1 and 8.3. My alkalinity has been consistently on the low side -- about 2 meq/l. My question is, how should I raise the alkalinity?

 

[Anonymous]

if you have about 5 bucks to spare, and wanna go the real easy route;
go to your LFS and buy Kent marine's "Superbuffer dKH" in the 250 gram size.
stuff works great, and is as simple as pie.
just fill a glass w/ RO water, add a teaspoon of buffer, and pour slowly into the tank.

[ October 22, 2001: Message edited by: moe_k ]</p>

 

[Dargason]

I happen to already have some Seachem Reef Buffer -- do you think it's the same stuff? It sells itself as a method of increasing and maintaining pH, although it raises alkalinity as a side effect. It says to use Reef Builder in a situation where pH is not a problem. Of course, that's probably another $10.

Anyone tried these products? What do most people use?

 

[Anonymous]

i don't think you want to raise your pH.

remember pH is higher later in the photoperiod, and lower in the beginning.
although 8.1 - 8.3 is a 20 x increase, i don't think your inhabitants will be adversely effected. are you noticing scratching or something? corals not extending?

 

[Dargason]

Ok,

Well, on the advice of the LFS, I tried the reef buffer anyway, following the recommended dosage of 2 tsp per 40 gallons. I dosed at that rate for 2 days with no change in the alk or pH.

I went out and bought the reef builder version, and I dosed that stuff tonight... after dosing double the recommendation, I still have no appreciable change in alk. It's about 6dkH and 2 meq/l.

Should I continue adding this stuff, or is there something wrong?

Incidentally, the inhabitants all seem to be doing well.

 

[Dargason]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that my Ca level is 450.

How do you edit a post?

 

[danmhippo]

See that icon of a note with a pencil above the post? That is edit. Infact, move your mouse to it, it will show.

 

[Rich-n-poor]

if you like seachem products they make a supplement called reef carbonate to raise carbinate hardness I use this in conjunction with reef complete

I noticed that you dosed with one product for two days then stopped. I dont think that is enough time to allow things to stabilize especially in a 200 gallon tank

Im no chemist and Im sure ill be corrected here if wrong but part of the reason of adding superbuffer DKH is to increase the buffering capacity of the water i.e. its ability to maintain the proper PH and carbonate hardness.

once I got my buffering capacity up in my small tank I was able to raise the alkalinity to where I wanted it patience is always a virtue but especially so inthis hobby.

HTH

_________________
Mercedes 280