trouble raising alk

nycman · 03/16/2018, 08:58 PM

When I was doing regular high volume water changes with Red Sea salt (25%+ per week), my alk was consistently above 8.5. I cut back the water change volumes and my alk has dropped to mid to low 7s. I have responded to this by increasing my BRS two part dosing. On a 200 gallon system, I am now up to 420ml of each of the two parts daily, and still cannot get my alk above 7.6. Should I crank it up yet further, or do I have something else I need to consider? 12oz of each part per day on a 200 gallon system does seem excessive. My Mg and Calcium are at optimal levels - 1350 and 450. Ph is 8.1 to 8.3 daily. Mix of LPS and SPS.

oldhead · 03/17/2018, 04:24 AM

Dosing is only for holding the alk and cal stable not raising it. Leave your dose alone and ad extra to get your level where you want it.

Reef Bass · 03/17/2018, 06:30 AM

Check your magnesium. It's important to alk utilization.

oldhead · 03/17/2018, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Bass

Check your magnesium. It's important to alk utilization.

It's 1350

mcgyvr · 03/17/2018, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldhead

It's 1350

Points to you for reading

mcgyvr · 03/17/2018, 10:38 AM

If its not raising...dose more.... But then adjust back when it gets where you want...BTW you do NOT need to dose each part equally...

But yes you can whip up a stronger batch to raise it to the level you wish then dose to keep it there

hkgar · 03/17/2018, 02:45 PM

Use this calculator to see how much to add to raise to the level you want.

I believe that BRS is the same as Randy's recipe #1. Here is a link to the recipes if you want ot make your own solution.

Also, if you are adding 420 ml per day just to hold your own, you should probably consider getting a calcium reactor. On the reef chemistry page is a link to Ca reactor setu up and you can compute how much alk

nycman · 03/17/2018, 06:43 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I spiked it to 9.5 and will let it fall back to 8.5 to 9. Is pushing it up to 10 or 11 a good idea or a bad one. I see that there is a wide variety of alk targets that people maintain. I would think higher alk stabilizes the daily swings in PH, and possibly makes the water less inviting to algae?

Uncle99 · 03/17/2018, 06:49 PM

420ml daily seems high to me.
I have a ton of LPS, 3 clams, and some SPS in a 70g and I only dose 20 ml a week to keep it at 10 ish.

mcgyvr · 03/18/2018, 06:35 AM

Most are finding that alk in the 8-9dkh range is better when you have low nutrient levels....if higher nitrates/phosphate you can push alk up

ramseynb · 03/18/2018, 08:27 AM

Natural sea water has an all level of about 7dkh. I try to keep my low, especially running low nutrient.

03/17/2018, 06:30 AM	#3
Reef Bass colors and textures Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Petaluma CA Posts: 6,301	Check your magnesium. It's important to alk utilization. __________________ The human desires for instant gratification and immediate problem resolution cannot be satisfied with this hobby. Former president and co-president of the Wine Country Reefers. Current Tank Info: 60 gallons of Scleractinia and Zoanthidae lit w/ LEDs

03/17/2018, 10:38 AM	#6
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	If its not raising...dose more.... But then adjust back when it gets where you want...BTW you do NOT need to dose each part equally... But yes you can whip up a stronger batch to raise it to the level you wish then dose to keep it there __________________ Who me?

03/17/2018, 02:45 PM	#7
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Use this calculator to see how much to add to raise to the level you want. I believe that BRS is the same as Randy's recipe #1. Here is a link to the recipes if you want ot make your own solution. Also, if you are adding 420 ml per day just to hold your own, you should probably consider getting a calcium reactor. On the reef chemistry page is a link to Ca reactor setu up and you can compute how much alk __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

03/17/2018, 06:43 PM	#8
nycman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: New York City Posts: 199	Thanks for the suggestions. I spiked it to 9.5 and will let it fall back to 8.5 to 9. Is pushing it up to 10 or 11 a good idea or a bad one. I see that there is a wide variety of alk targets that people maintain. I would think higher alk stabilizes the daily swings in PH, and possibly makes the water less inviting to algae? __________________ 72x26x24 Miracles rimless with ReefSavvy ghost overflow 4xMitras LX7206 / Lifereef sump, skimmer and fuge 302 Aquatics algae scrubber / JBJ 1/3 HP Chiller Aqua UV 28W

03/18/2018, 06:35 AM	#10
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Most are finding that alk in the 8-9dkh range is better when you have low nutrient levels....if higher nitrates/phosphate you can push alk up __________________ Who me?

03/16/2018, 08:58 PM	#1
nycman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: New York City Posts: 199	trouble raising alk When I was doing regular high volume water changes with Red Sea salt (25%+ per week), my alk was consistently above 8.5. I cut back the water change volumes and my alk has dropped to mid to low 7s. I have responded to this by increasing my BRS two part dosing. On a 200 gallon system, I am now up to 420ml of each of the two parts daily, and still cannot get my alk above 7.6. Should I crank it up yet further, or do I have something else I need to consider? 12oz of each part per day on a 200 gallon system does seem excessive. My Mg and Calcium are at optimal levels - 1350 and 450. Ph is 8.1 to 8.3 daily. Mix of LPS and SPS. __________________ 72x26x24 Miracles rimless with ReefSavvy ghost overflow 4xMitras LX7206 / Lifereef sump, skimmer and fuge 302 Aquatics algae scrubber / JBJ 1/3 HP Chiller Aqua UV 28W

03/17/2018, 04:24 AM	#2
oldhead Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 527	Dosing is only for holding the alk and cal stable not raising it. Leave your dose alone and ad extra to get your level where you want it.

03/17/2018, 06:49 PM	#9
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	420ml daily seems high to me. I have a ton of LPS, 3 clams, and some SPS in a 70g and I only dose 20 ml a week to keep it at 10 ish.

03/18/2018, 08:27 AM	#11
ramseynb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Braunfels, TX Posts: 630	Natural sea water has an all level of about 7dkh. I try to keep my low, especially running low nutrient. __________________ How do you make an octopus laugh? Ten tickles!