Alk conversion - Page 2

Tuscaquatics · 05/15/2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Percula9

You should get a refractometer for the salinity measurement. The API test kits will be more accurate then the ones your using. You don't need kalkwasser at this time. Go to www.bulkreefsupply and get a two part. Two part is sodium bicarbonate or carbonate and calcium chloride in two parts that are balanced.

He doesn't need to dose anything right now. He was dosing a two-part, at least the calcium part, and that's what got him into this. He just needs to upgrade to a reef salt and do regular water changes. What's the point of dosing if there's nothing using it up. Zoas and mushies aren't going to put a dent in those numbers.

808Rob · 05/15/2010, 09:44 PM

I have a couple of button polyps and are fully open during the day with the lights on but close at night. They seem to be doing fine. Just waiting to see if they will propagate.
I was looking to order some B-Ionic as a 2-part additive but does it require alot of dosing based on my 110G?

Percula9 · 05/15/2010, 09:54 PM

I didn't say he should specifically dose at this time. Dosing should be done as needed. The kalkwasser got him into trouble and it something he should stay away from. What good is dosing calcium without alkalinity to balance it. What he needs to do is read some books on basic aquarium set up and maintenance. Even if there is no corals to use the calcium and alkalinity, you need it for good coralline growth. Your bio-filter needs alkalinity to function properly or it can crash. I recommend the book "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" By Robert M Fenner. This book gives good basics of marine aquariums that is easy to understand.

808Rob · 05/15/2010, 10:34 PM

I have the book "The Marine Aquarist" the beginners guide. It's seems very vague. The think the best information comes from RC. The information shared here cannot be explained in any book because RC covers every aspect through direct experience.
The calcium and alk was generally for coraline growth. I have 1 large rock that was bleached and I want coraline growth to spread onto it. Basically I'd like to stimulate coraline growth with the calcium and alk.

Tuscaquatics · 05/15/2010, 10:39 PM

It's going to be hard to grow coralline no matter how high your calcium is if you still have nitrates and phosphates. Coralline likes clean water. This is one reason you see it in reef tanks and not usually in FOWLR tanks, along with the calcium.

808Rob · 05/15/2010, 10:46 PM

The nitrates have been a large target for me lately, so I built a coil denitrator that I haven't put into service yet. Needs a pump. I'd still have to wait a while for the denitrator to cycle before it becomes effective but that is purely for preventive measures. Short term solution would probably be a large water change and convert my sump to a fuge/sump with nitrate exporting macroalgae.

Perhaps the algae on my sand could be eliminated with better circulation. I currently have a RIO3100 for a return pump and 2 Maxijet 1200 powerheads in the DT. Is that sufficient? Or is placement just the issue?

05/15/2010, 10:46 PM	#31
808Rob Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 277	The nitrates have been a large target for me lately, so I built a coil denitrator that I haven't put into service yet. Needs a pump. I'd still have to wait a while for the denitrator to cycle before it becomes effective but that is purely for preventive measures. Short term solution would probably be a large water change and convert my sump to a fuge/sump with nitrate exporting macroalgae. Perhaps the algae on my sand could be eliminated with better circulation. I currently have a RIO3100 for a return pump and 2 Maxijet 1200 powerheads in the DT. Is that sufficient? Or is placement just the issue? Last edited by 808Rob; 05/15/2010 at 11:01 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is borate issue still applicable? Seachem salt + low alk reading in my tank	Newreeflady	The Reef Chemistry Forum	18	05/16/2010 11:35 AM
? on dosing esv alk,cal and mag	chuckbuc	The Reef Chemistry Forum	4	05/14/2010 12:08 PM
Alk.and Ca conversion	BucNtears	The Reef Chemistry Forum	1	04/26/2010 06:18 PM
carbonate hardness to alk conversion	adtravels	The Reef Chemistry Forum	4	09/25/2006 07:59 AM
Conversion sheet Sailfert alk test?	timisseasick	New to the Hobby	2	08/17/2006 05:46 PM

05/15/2010, 09:44 PM	#27
808Rob Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 277	I have a couple of button polyps and are fully open during the day with the lights on but close at night. They seem to be doing fine. Just waiting to see if they will propagate. I was looking to order some B-Ionic as a 2-part additive but does it require alot of dosing based on my 110G?

05/15/2010, 09:54 PM	#28
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	I didn't say he should specifically dose at this time. Dosing should be done as needed. The kalkwasser got him into trouble and it something he should stay away from. What good is dosing calcium without alkalinity to balance it. What he needs to do is read some books on basic aquarium set up and maintenance. Even if there is no corals to use the calcium and alkalinity, you need it for good coralline growth. Your bio-filter needs alkalinity to function properly or it can crash. I recommend the book "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" By Robert M Fenner. This book gives good basics of marine aquariums that is easy to understand.

05/15/2010, 10:34 PM	#29
808Rob Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 277	I have the book "The Marine Aquarist" the beginners guide. It's seems very vague. The think the best information comes from RC. The information shared here cannot be explained in any book because RC covers every aspect through direct experience. The calcium and alk was generally for coraline growth. I have 1 large rock that was bleached and I want coraline growth to spread onto it. Basically I'd like to stimulate coraline growth with the calcium and alk.

05/15/2010, 10:39 PM	#30
Tuscaquatics Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 1,324	It's going to be hard to grow coralline no matter how high your calcium is if you still have nitrates and phosphates. Coralline likes clean water. This is one reason you see it in reef tanks and not usually in FOWLR tanks, along with the calcium.