Alkalinity

[NoobieReefer]

I've been having serious issues with alkalinity and started to does 2 part. I just wanted to know how fast I can raise alkalinity with out stress the corals out. I'm doing the recommended dosage but my dkh is around 4.8 calcium in 450. Any suggestions?

 

[Killerdrgn]

Get some baking soda, bake 2 1/4 cups of it at 300 for 1 hour, mix with slightly less than 1 gallon of water. Dose slowly, very slowly, 1 drip like every 2 seconds until it goes up to an appropriate level, which should be in several days.

 

[NoobieReefer]

I just checked today after dosing and it appears to go up one point for every dosage. My question though is, how fast can you move your dKH up. Can you double the dosage in a 24 hour period without causing any coral deaths or stress? I can wait another 4 days untill my alk is at the proper level but I'm just curious to know how much of a change can a reef tank handle. I have softies, lps, sps, clams, etc.

 

[Wes]

I just checked today after dosing and it appears to go up one point for every dosage. My question though is, how fast can you move your dKH up. Can you double the dosage in a 24 hour period without causing any coral deaths or stress? I can wait another 4 days untill my alk is at the proper level but I'm just curious to know how much of a change can a reef tank handle. I have softies, lps, sps, clams, etc.

you should change your dKH very slowly.... An big alkalinity swing can kill sps.

 

[Fragmented]

Dont guess on how much to add-use this link

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

 

[EmilyT]

don't neglect to dose regularly... i learned that the hard way

 

[tommy818]

4.8 meq/l= 13.4dkh your getting bad advice.your alk is to high

 

[Killerdrgn]

4.8 meq/l= 13.4dkh your getting bad advice.your alk is to high

I'm guessing we shouldn't take him for his word?

my dkh is around 4.8

 

[tommy818]

no i just think he is reading the test kit wrong.having a calcium level of 450 and he is adding a 2 part his alk cant be 4.8

 

[NoobieReefer]

i am using salifert test kit and it say that its at 4.8dKH = 1.71 meq/L

 

[meschaefer]

That is possible, I find it much easier to maintain my calcium level than my alkalinity level.

I also would use baking soda to bring the level up. If you use the calculator posted above, it will tell you not only how much to use, but how fast you can raise it as well.

 

[NDY]

So Whats The Recommended Level for Alkalinity on meq/l

 

[meschaefer]

[SIZE=+1]A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between
Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH[/SIZE]

 

[tommy818]

what other additives do u add to your tank also every sytem is different.stop adding the calcium part and just add the alk part. monitor both levels until u get the correct balance.get your alk up to 8.0 the start adding both parts.u might have to up your dosage to maintain the desired levels.also some additives like stontium can lower alk so for now follow the above.hope this helps

 

[Fragmented]

did you dose the amount suggested from the calculator and retest. Still havent heard your Mag levels. That could be affecting your ability to raise alk