Need help with Alk

jddaniel · 01/29/2006, 05:27 PM

I have a 50 gallon reef with mostly softies and zoos that I need to boost the alkalinity in. It is dosed regularly with Kalkwasser for all top off. The alk is normally in the 8-9 dkH range, however after having my g/f take care of the tank while I'm out of town the alk has dropped to 6.4 dkH. I need an easy fix to boost the alk back to "normal" levels that she can add in addition to the regular kalk dosing. I believe part of the contributing factor to the low alk is the phosban I run in the tank, but this has never caused the alk to drop this much in the past. Any help on a good additive would be appretiated.

reefshadow · 01/29/2006, 05:58 PM

You can add arm and hammer pure baking soda, or cut it in a 5:1 ratio with washing soda. Same as you can buy in any lfs and in some cases better, as some commercial supplements contain borate.

jddaniel · 01/29/2006, 06:27 PM

Wouldn't the baking soda cause the PH to rise at the same time? I do have Kent Superbuffer that I had her add to the tank tonight, but I don't know how effective that will be on the kH.

aquaman67 · 01/29/2006, 06:45 PM

The pH of Baking Soda is about 8. That's it.

The pH of washing soda is about 12.

So just adding the baking soda will do the trick.

The Super Buffer will do the same thing. Just add per the instructions.

Avi · 01/29/2006, 07:33 PM

Chose a reliable additive, like Seachem's Reef Builder, and then test first, and use this after testing:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

01/29/2006, 05:27 PM	#1
jddaniel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Columbus, Oh Posts: 580	Need help with Alk I have a 50 gallon reef with mostly softies and zoos that I need to boost the alkalinity in. It is dosed regularly with Kalkwasser for all top off. The alk is normally in the 8-9 dkH range, however after having my g/f take care of the tank while I'm out of town the alk has dropped to 6.4 dkH. I need an easy fix to boost the alk back to "normal" levels that she can add in addition to the regular kalk dosing. I believe part of the contributing factor to the low alk is the phosban I run in the tank, but this has never caused the alk to drop this much in the past. Any help on a good additive would be appretiated.

01/29/2006, 05:58 PM	#2
reefshadow Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Washington Posts: 1,786	You can add arm and hammer pure baking soda, or cut it in a 5:1 ratio with washing soda. Same as you can buy in any lfs and in some cases better, as some commercial supplements contain borate. __________________ All Your Coral Are Belong To Us Current Tank Info: 30 Deep Blue shallow mixed rimless, MP10, Ecoxotic LED's, SCA 301 skimmer.

01/29/2006, 07:33 PM	#5
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	Chose a reliable additive, like Seachem's Reef Builder, and then test first, and use this after testing: http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

01/29/2006, 06:27 PM	#3
jddaniel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Columbus, Oh Posts: 580	Wouldn't the baking soda cause the PH to rise at the same time? I do have Kent Superbuffer that I had her add to the tank tonight, but I don't know how effective that will be on the kH.

01/29/2006, 06:45 PM	#4
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	The pH of Baking Soda is about 8. That's it. The pH of washing soda is about 12. So just adding the baking soda will do the trick. The Super Buffer will do the same thing. Just add per the instructions.