Alkinity is low - How to raise again? 2 part?

[saltman123]

I just tested my Alklinity after not testing it for a while and it read:
6.4dKH/2.29meq/L with a Salifert Kit

This seems to be very low.

My other parameters are as follows:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0 to 0.01
Nitrate: 0
PH: 8
Alklinity: 6.4 dKH
Calcium: 390
Phosphate: below 0.03

I purchased ESV B-Ionic Calcium Buffer 2 part but have never used it. Is this what I should be using to bring back the Alk and raise up the calcium a bit? Part 1 is Alklinity and Part 2 is Calcium. I once also heard baking soda can be used.

Once the levels are back to normal, do I stop dosing 2-part until I see them fall and need to be raised back up?

Any tips on how to buffer/raise my Alk will be helpful.
Thanks

[saltman123]

I found this link that helps calculate how much to dose?
http://reef.diesyst.com/

I am at 6.4dKH and should ideally be at 8dKH. Can someone suggest the best way to go about this? How and when to dose, etc?

Thanks.

[drummereef]

Here's what you want to do friend.


1. Raise the alkalinity with Arm & Hammer Baking SODA using the calculator to the desired amount. Target 7-11dkh for alk. I stay around 10 usually.
2. Raise the calcium with Kent's Turbo Calcium using the calculator to the desired amount. Target 400-450 for calcium. I tend to stay around 420.

Now, to figure out how much 2-part to dose.
1. Measure the alkalinity and calcium levels using your Salifert testkits after the desired amounts (above) have been adjusted. Write these levels down.
2. Wait 24 hours and test again for alkalinity and calcium. Write these levels down. This is how much your tank consumes in a 24 hour period.
3. Plug step 2's numbers into the "current" calcium/alkalinity into the calculator.
4. Plug step 1's numbers into the "desired" calcium/alkalinity into the calculator.
5. Pick your product and press "calculate"

This is the amount of 2-part you need to suppliment on a daily basis. Remember to dose seperately into a high flow area of the tank/sump. I usually wait a couple minutes inbetween parts.

USE THIS CALCULATOR
Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Hope this helps.

[saltman123]

Yes, that helps a LOT!

WOW, this is much more involved than I was hopingjk.

So the idea is to raise everything, and then start using the 2 part? Can I possibly raise up the levels by using the 2-part alone?

If not, I will go and get some baking soda, and buy the Turbo Calcium stuff.

My Tank is a 12 gallon Aquapod with no skimmer.

[drummereef]

You are correct. The 2-part is to maintain, not adjust. I wouldn't recommend using the 2-part for this because of it's adverse effect on pH. Use plain ole baking soda for alk and Turbo Calcium and you'll be good to go.


Finding out how much your tank demands is the hard part. After that, you just dose that amount daily to maintain. Easy peasy. Obviously the demand in your tank might change over time, but deal with that as it goes.

[saltman123]

Your response has been extremely HELPFUL!! Thanks!

Looks like I will be going out to get some Calcium boost, and the baking soda.

Now let me ask, lets say I test in 24 hours and the tank doesn't change in calcium/alklinity too much? Should I test every day until I see a change, and then that should be my dosing schedule? I've tested daily a while back and the levels did not fluctuate much in the tank other than when I did water changes. Thoughts on that?

[drummereef]

I'd say the demand on alk/calcium is next to nothing in your tank. Which is a good thing, since the stuff can be pricey. I lose approx 1dkh per day from the corals consuming alk/calcium in my tank. My recommendation would be to still write down the exact numbers in that are tested and see. It might only be .05 difference, but it's still a loss. Then plug those numbers into the calculator and see how much that would be for dosing. Even if you dose 1/2 a ml, it's better than waiting and dosing a bunch at the end of the week. 2-part is for daily supplimentation and will really help in the daily fluxuations of those amounts.


Oh, and onlineconversion.com is a great resourse for converting ml to tsp/tbs. I have to dose about 50ml or 3tbs daily to keep up with the demand in my tank. Also, make sure you dose the same amount of each daily. This will keep everything in balance.

[saltman123]

Thanks again for the info.

I am going to get the baking soda and calcium, then refer back and follow your notes.

I will be sure to post if more questions arise.
Thanks

[drummereef]

Great, good luck!

[Paintbug]

before you do too much with the baking soda, since your pH is at 8.0 you will need to bake the baking soda for 1 hour @ 350ºF. baking the baking soda will drive off any moisture and CO2 that is in there. if you dont when you add it to your tank the pH will drop some. not much but being that yours is at 8.0 if it dropped to 7.8 thats getting close to the trouble zone.

this explains more:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

also theres no need to go out and spend a lot on the calcium. theres a company here that sponsors RC called www.twopartsolution.com that has everything you need to make the homemade two part, and its all measured out, and ready to use. (except for baking the baking soda)

[saltman123]

Thanks for the tip on baking the baking soda iff I take this step.

I have a question on the twopartsolution.com site. I currently have ESV B-Ionic 2 part Calcium/Alklinity. Is this ideally the same thing??

[drummereef]

Yes, it's basically the same. It's a diy method.

[Paintbug]

yep its Randys Recipe is pretty much the same stuff as B-ionic. B-ionic is a little more concentrated, but they work the same. i used to use B-ionic before i made my own. i used 25ml per day with B-ionic and now 30ml a day with Randys.

being you have a 12g tank, making your own may be a hassle. you wont be using a lot once you get everything balanced out. but i use about 32oz of both parts in 1 1/2 month or so. so buying a 2 part gets expensive. being you already have the 2 part, just use the calculator drummereef posted to find out how much you need to add. but dont raise the alk to much at once. maybe 2 dKH per day. i try to keep my alk at 10 dkh. it seems to let the corals grow faster, as its supposed to.