need help raising alkalinity

slowhand383 · 04/27/2006, 06:25 PM

I need to start dosing my 12gal to raise the alkalinty and calcium. The test read that the alk is 7dkh and the calc is 320. This would probably explain my slow gowth and lack of coraline. All other params are okay I just need to raise my alk and calcium. The only problem is I'm not really sure how often and how much to use. Being a 12gal I dont want to overdue it. I've seen the Kent Nano-Reef 2 part additive and was wondering if thats the way to go. The LFS (very trustworthy) says they have success with seachem to raise alkalinity. What do yall recomend and could some help shed some light on how to use it without overdosing? Here is a link to the Kent product Im refering to...Thanks

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113458

Sk8r · 04/27/2006, 06:37 PM

also, watch your magnesium: if it's below 1200 you may have trouble raising cal or alk.

Paintbug · 04/28/2006, 09:06 AM

i would start by using ESVs B-ionic first. the Kent Nano 2 Part works, but its watered down. B-ionic cost less, and you get more product for the price. and you dose less at a time. if you still have problems getting the calc up to 400+ then check your magnesium.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=EV1111 this is 2 16oz bottles

wpar · 04/28/2006, 09:12 AM

If your pH is in range you could simply add baking soda. Here's a link to an article that addresses calcium and alkalinity issues:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Bill

Wryknow · 04/28/2006, 10:10 AM

Baking soda works just fine but it tends to depress the Ph slightly (unless you bake it first.) Adding kalk to your top-off water will increase the calcium and the Ph in your tank and it's a good, cost effective option. As an added bonus, it very nicely off-sets the Ph depression from the baking soda that I use to increase dKh.

I wouldn't be too concerned about your calcium levels though. 320 is not really a problem unless you've got stony corals or clams in your tank that need the calcium. Just adding the Kalk will let you get it up near 400 pretty easily I bet. I personally think that very high calcium levels tend to "gum up the works" on pumps, etc over time. The magnesium does have an limiting impact on the calcium levels but if you're using a good quality salt and doing water changes you probably have enough magnesium for your tank needs.

impur · 04/28/2006, 10:34 AM

How often are you doing WCs? With weekly WCs it should keep alk and calcium in line. Now i'm not sure how heavily your tank is stocked and with what. I did have great success using B-ionic in my 10 gal. I added the alk part to my topoff water then just dosed the calcium as needed.

In your case kalk might be a perfect and inexpensive solution.

04/27/2006, 06:25 PM	#1
slowhand383 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 237	need help raising alkalinity I need to start dosing my 12gal to raise the alkalinty and calcium. The test read that the alk is 7dkh and the calc is 320. This would probably explain my slow gowth and lack of coraline. All other params are okay I just need to raise my alk and calcium. The only problem is I'm not really sure how often and how much to use. Being a 12gal I dont want to overdue it. I've seen the Kent Nano-Reef 2 part additive and was wondering if thats the way to go. The LFS (very trustworthy) says they have success with seachem to raise alkalinity. What do yall recomend and could some help shed some light on how to use it without overdosing? Here is a link to the Kent product Im refering to...Thanks http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113458

04/27/2006, 06:37 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	also, watch your magnesium: if it's below 1200 you may have trouble raising cal or alk. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/28/2006, 09:06 AM	#3
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	i would start by using ESVs B-ionic first. the Kent Nano 2 Part works, but its watered down. B-ionic cost less, and you get more product for the price. and you dose less at a time. if you still have problems getting the calc up to 400+ then check your magnesium. http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=EV1111 this is 2 16oz bottles __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

04/28/2006, 10:10 AM	#5
Wryknow Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,203	Baking soda works just fine but it tends to depress the Ph slightly (unless you bake it first.) Adding kalk to your top-off water will increase the calcium and the Ph in your tank and it's a good, cost effective option. As an added bonus, it very nicely off-sets the Ph depression from the baking soda that I use to increase dKh. I wouldn't be too concerned about your calcium levels though. 320 is not really a problem unless you've got stony corals or clams in your tank that need the calcium. Just adding the Kalk will let you get it up near 400 pretty easily I bet. I personally think that very high calcium levels tend to "gum up the works" on pumps, etc over time. The magnesium does have an limiting impact on the calcium levels but if you're using a good quality salt and doing water changes you probably have enough magnesium for your tank needs. __________________ You cannot use reason to change the opinion of a person that did not use reason to form their opinion in the first place. Current Tank Info: 65 G RR, w/ 50 G sump/refugium, DIY LED lighting, AquaMaxx CO-1 skimmer, Tunze 1073.050 return

04/28/2006, 10:34 AM	#6
impur Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 4,262	How often are you doing WCs? With weekly WCs it should keep alk and calcium in line. Now i'm not sure how heavily your tank is stocked and with what. I did have great success using B-ionic in my 10 gal. I added the alk part to my topoff water then just dosed the calcium as needed. In your case kalk might be a perfect and inexpensive solution. __________________ Great spirits often encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds. Current Tank Info: 75gal, 20gal sump, 6-54w T5 TEK

04/28/2006, 09:12 AM	#4
wpar Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Coast Posts: 90	If your pH is in range you could simply add baking soda. Here's a link to an article that addresses calcium and alkalinity issues: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm Bill