best way to dose? while watching alk/pH

[rixhater]

I am rather new to the "actually paying attention" to the water parameters area of reef keeping. Until recently i never paid to much attention to the parameters since i never had any issues. I recently tested my water and found everything was good except my pH and alk. My pH was in the high 7's i want to say 7.7 or 7.8. While my alk was so low it didn't even show up on the chart on the test kit. the lowest value was 5.3 dkh. I haven't had any corals die but none were growing extremely well either. i recently (3days ago) started a kh buffer (bright well aquatics, powder) I made the stock solution in 8oz of water and dosed the 40cc on day 1, 50cc on day 2, 10cc day 3. My pH has picked up to 8.18 during day to 8.02 at night (apex monitor). my alk was last measured on day2 and was at 7dkh. Thats the background but i am curious as to others opinions on what is the easiest and best way to dose for alk/pH? I read some like dosing pumps or calc reactors..etc. I am curious if you like dosing pumps then what dosing pump and what product or mixture do you use? Same questions for a calc reactor. I am not necessarily looking for the "easiest" way but the best way that doesn't involve me physically putting chemicals in multiple times a day. I need to automate the process since i work long days. I appreciate any help since i am new to the chemical arena. Thank you

[Zalman]

Calcium reactor will lower your PH but will raise your alk and calcium. Kalk reactor will raise your PH alk and calcium. All depends on what your tank needs. I personally run a drip through a kalk reactor almost all day. I fill a 5 gal bucket and start a siphon into my reactor then use a valve on the effluent tube to reduce the flow to a slow drip.

I do at least 3-4 gallons a day into my system like this. My params have stabilized around 8dkh and 8.2 ph with my calcium at 400+

Big risk is to drip slow... if it goes to fast you will kill just about everything

[FragIt Dan]

Save yourself some money and look up DIY recipes for dosing... Randy's 2 part is pretty popular. Dosing pumps are pricey, but there are some group buys on marine magic pumps for a great price, I have three of them myself. In the meantime, once you figure out your daily dose requirement it shouldn't take that long to dose it everyday. You are going to need to figure this out with a dosing pimp anyway.

[rixhater]

Originally Posted by Zalman

Calcium reactor will lower your PH but will raise your alk and calcium. Kalk reactor will raise your PH alk and calcium. All depends on what your tank needs. I personally run a drip through a kalk reactor almost all day. I fill a 5 gal bucket and start a siphon into my reactor then use a valve on the effluent tube to reduce the flow to a slow drip.

I do at least 3-4 gallons a day into my system like this. My params have stabilized around 8dkh and 8.2 ph with my calcium at 400+

Big risk is to drip slow... if it goes to fast you will kill just about everything

It sounds like i would be leaning more towards kalk reactor. I will have to do some more research to learn a little more about it. I use to dose kalk in my old setup but i just had it in my ATO 5 gallon bucket. I made a weak mix and just let it go in from there. however this time i would like to do it right since i have invested so much already and would like to continue on the right path. I don't mind if it cost a few extra bucks if it will take me long term versus something that ill replace after a short time. If this means doing research and investing in a reactor then so be it. I was just curious as to some of the different methods. Do you happen to have any pics of your kalk reactor setup? I know i need to do something because without chemical intervention my pH and Alk are always low but calcium is 400+ without supplements (not sure how)

[bertoni]

A kalk reactor is a reasonable approach to try, although it might not be able to keep up with the demand. A 2-part is an easy way to get going. For the moment, some baking soda will keep the alkalinity up.

[reefnewbie83177]

Look into BRS's 2 part kit. They give you enough dry CaCl2/CO3/Mg to make up 7 gallons of each. I did the math, and if I had my 100g system stocked with SPS it should last me 10 months or so. And it was under 70 bucks. There is a handy calculator that also helps you get your Alk/Ca up to where you want it and then a little trial and error to get it fine tuned. I am still working with it, but after about a week I have my Ca where it bounces around 430-450, and my alk is 8.5-9. I dose 10mL/day of each.

[rixhater]

i was actually looking at the BRS 2 part kit and thinking of ordering it. I have an apex system and wanted to find a dosing pump that would work with it. I am now trying to do some research on dosing 2 part with a dosing pump and what people think of it. I am thinking of going with the Litermeter III since i can do dosing as well order the constant water change module and have it all connected to the apex. I figure if i can do the automatic water changes constantly as well as dose 2 part with the pump then i should be able to keep the parameters good. (obviously after some trial and error and fine tuning).