water parameter questions

[btodd43]

I have a 6 gal nano that has been up and running for 2 months now-
here are my readings with salifert kits: ammonia-0
nitrates-0
nitrites-0
temp-78
salinity-1.023
calcium-395
alk-5.6
ph-8.2
My problem is: If I add calcium concentrate to try to raise my cal the alk gos off the chart- and it doesn't seem to raise it up to 450 which is what I want-anybody have a solution? I do a water change once a week (1 Gal) with RO salt (already mixed at Tongs LFS in H.B.)Have 6 #'s fiji rock,clean up crew,and some lps corals- Thanks.
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Obesity Forum

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi and :welcome:

What product are you dosing to raise your calcium levels?
What units does your test kit report for alk (ie. if alk=5.6 and we're talking Meq/L you're alk is high, if dKH your alk is low)?

 

[btodd43]

Hi Chris -and thanks for replying -that was quick- Salifert kit -its the meg/L reading 5.6 should be 3.5-5.0 no? I am using Kent Marine calcium suppliment ( but also have the part a+b stuff , but I was told it was for "maintenence" only?) so I'm thinking I want to raise it so use the suppliment ? It says to disribute dose over 1 week.
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[Sugar Magnolia]

This article might help. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

 

[Anonymous]

Hey btodd,
Glad to see that you made it. These guys/gals will get you all fixed up in no time

 

[btodd43]

Thanks- I will keep on the calcium and try to get back on track- It must take awhile,It's a good patience lesson.Just don't know why the alk is so high?But as I read they are related-I was told that the alk will come down on it's own and not to worry.
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[ChrisRD]

Yep, if you continue to maintain your Ca and leave the alk alone (no dosing of any buffers or the alk part of your 2-part supplement) it will fall on its own in time.

Once it's down where it should be, your easiest bet to avoid problems in the future (IMO) is to maintain Ca/alk with your 2-part additive. Things should stay on track from there as you'll always be adding Ca and alk in balanced quantities.

BTW, alk of natural seawater is 2.5 meq/L, so if you're somewhere around 2.5 to 3.5 you're fine. Running higher than 3.5 is probably not a great idea as it's not necessary and some feel high alk levels can contribute to problems with some corals (like RTN with SPS for example).

 

[btodd43]

Thanks, Chris- what I seem to be seeing is that when I dose for ca the alk gos up-always.... I'm hoping there will be a point in time when the ca will be 450 but the alk may be to the moon - I don't know....
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The Simpsons Forum

 

[SnowManSnow]

Consider using B-Ionic. It is a great 2 - part additive that takes care of your alk and cal at the same time. I've used it for a while and always had good results.

 

[btodd43]

Yes- as I have been told - To use the calcium part only, I have some my alk is 5.6 , ph 8.2, temp 78, ca 395. Thanks, all....
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[ChrisRD]

Thanks, Chris- what I seem to be seeing is that when I dose for ca the alk gos up-always.... I'm hoping there will be a point in time when the ca will be 450 but the alk may be to the moon - I don't know....

Which Kent product are you using? The Turbo-Calcium is the powdered stuff, the Liquid Calcium is well... ...liquid. There's also something called Liquid Reactor which is not just calcium - that will raise both Ca and alk.

You mentioned that you have the Kent 2-part (Tech-CB) product. As you mentioned above - another option is to just use the calcium part of that product for a while without dosing the alk part.

If you're just dosing calcium, alk should be uneffected. Unless you're adding some carbonate/bicarbonate supplement to the tank it should not be going-up.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I use ESV's Calcium Chloride to raise my calcium level when needed. It doesn't affect my alk level at all.

 

[btodd43]

Hi Chris- I'm here at work so I'm not sure what brand I have at home-but they are 2 bottles blue color label part a & b . And 1 bottle thats white and is calcium concentrate all 3 are liquid form. I will use only the calcium part of the a&b , because when I use the concentrate the alk gos up :!: ,so kind of trial and error I guess. Just glad the ph whent up just by putting in a loc line spraybar across the top (makes a little mess though) guess Co2 was the culprit. Thanks.
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Exercise / Fitness Forum

 

[Anonymous]

Bill, can you move or turn the loc line so that it is moving the water surface as opposed to splashing it? That will help with the mess and still give you the surface aggitation that you need.

 

[btodd43]

yes I pointed it more down this morning,Chris- my products that I'm using are from warner marine -are they any good?(WM)The calcium concentrate and 2 part calcium/alk maintenence...I've been dosing the concentrate but my ca is now 385. but alk has dropped to 4.6 meg/l cool!! ph still 8.1 in am -no lights. salinity 1.022 topped off with ro salt mix at 1.024...
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[ChrisRD]

I haven't tried those products, but they should be fine. Is this the calcium supplement you are dosing?
http://www.warnermarine.com/calcium.htm

If so, it appears to just be a run-of-the-mill calcium chloride additive and should not be raising your alk levels. If you continue to see high alk readings I would try another test kit or bring a sample to your LFS for testing to verify that you're not just getting wacky readings on your kit.

...and FWIW, your levels don't look bad. Ideally your Ca and SG could be a bit higher and your alk a bit lower, but I wouldn't get overly concerned with hitting exact numbers. As long as you are in the ballpark of natural seawater conditions and things are stable, you'll be fine. When in doubt, or if things really get out of wack, doing a couple of water changes is the best way to get back on track IMO.

HTH

 

[btodd43]

:lol: Yup that's the stuff- using only that right now- The alk is going down on it's own- Thanks for all your help buddy Now I'm a little less freaked out.
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