Chemistry Questions answered in easy to understand non technical answers

korbynlehr · 12/01/2006, 08:22 AM

To be honest I have tried to read the chemisty articles for the answers to all my questions but seem to get caught up in all the technicalities and such and get frustrated and lose all that I may have learned or thought I learned. So with that said can someone including hopefully Randy provide as simple as possible answers to the following questions. And here are our tank parameters as tested this morning. I might add everything looks fine.

60 gallon das
110 lbs DSB
65 lbs live rock
salinity 1.026
PH 7.9<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< calcium = 340 <<<<<< nitrates = 0
nitrites = 0
ammonia= 0
magnesium=1500 < alk = 5.71 meq/L

1. We run air purifiers in our house. This I believe increases the ozone in our house. How does this affect my tank? Does this increase or decrease the amount of co2 in our house? Is there a way to measure CO2 in ones house, cheaply?

2. We use bionic 2 part. We add 15 ml of the calcium part and 10 ml of the alk part.Should I switch to using limewater to help get the PH where it neds to be and keep it there?

3. Can I use RO/DI water to mix my limewater? Is the recipe 2 tsp per 1 gallon of water?

4. Can the limewater be mixed with my saltwater for top off? Or do I have to do these two separate?

5. As of now we do not have a top off system other than myself manually adding the water.We have about 6-7 cups of evaporation a day is it okay to add that much limewater at once without raising the ph too fast?

I think I need to change from Reef Crystals to get the magnesium lower or if I reduce the ALK part of the bionic to get the alk where it needs to be will the magnesium follow?

I really appreciate any and all responses I get.

chadp · 12/01/2006, 08:43 AM

I can help with a couple of these.

#3- yes RO/DI is perfect for limewater. Most people use 1 to 2 teaspoons per gallon of water

#4- not sure I understand saltwater for top-off but no you don't want to mix kalk into saltwater, freshwater only.

#5- it would be highly preferred to drip the limewater slowly thoughout the day, either gravity drip or a diy soda bottle and air tubing

Spuds725 · 12/01/2006, 09:10 AM

I would not add that much kalk that fast either... drip it slow or your pH will scream up high...

I agree with Chad on #3, #4, & #5.......

#1... Don't know about the ozone-- but if your house has high CO2-- then it would be evident with aeration of your tank water outside and the pH rises... the actual level is inconsequential as far as your tank is concerned if it is the cause of your low pH.... I don't know if there is a cheap way to measure CO2...

#2.... your Alk is well on the high side especially in relation to your calcium-- in fact the high alkalinity could be driving your calcium down by making it precipitate... I personally would stop adding the Alkalinity half of your 2-part and just add the calcium half for a while... when approximately balanced then you could start dripping Kalk... you can raise the calcium faster (add more then 15 mls at a time)... Jdiek's calculator can tell you how much to add... I'd add it in thirds though... 1/3 of the calculated amount each day... and keep testing... aim for about 380-400 ppm and let the alkalinity come down on its own...

HTH...

korbynlehr · 12/01/2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chadp
I can help with a couple of these.

#3- yes RO/DI is perfect for limewater. Most people use 1 to 2 teaspoons per gallon of water

#4- not sure I understand saltwater for top-off but no you don't want to mix kalk into saltwater, freshwater only.

#5- it would be highly preferred to drip the limewater slowly thoughout the day, either gravity drip or a diy soda bottle and air tubing

Okay on the drip, how much of the limewater should I drip throughout the day? The total amount evaporated? Is it okay to drip that over night instead of throughout the day say starting at 11 pm ending around 8 am?

doesheya · 12/01/2006, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Spuds725
Jdiek's calculator can tell you how much to add

Where would I find this calc?

Thanks,
dosh

J. Montgomery · 12/01/2006, 04:13 PM

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

korbynlehr, I know that some air "purifiers" are marketed as releasing ozone into your air and that its a good thing . . . you've already got one of these so this is a null point, but my opinion is that ozone is bad, especially in your house, and its better left in the upper atmosphere. As far as the effect on your tank, there is probably no effect as the ozone will most likely react with something in the air before getting close to your water (just my guess).

Randy Holmes-Farley · 12/02/2006, 06:45 AM

This I believe increases the ozone in our house. How does this affect my tank?

It doesn't. It has no impact on CO2.

I agree, use just the calcium part until the alkalinity comes down, and for the next couple of days give some big doses to boost calcium to 420 ppm or so, as per the calculator.

You can drip limewater at night only, or 24/7. The idea of the slow addition is to keep the ph from rising too much. The two part alone can meet the needs of your tank, but limewater alone may also be able to. Limewater will raise pH more, but once you get calcium up, demand for the two part may rise, and you may end up with a higher pH (but if not, limewater is a good choice).

I wouldn't worry about the magnesium, just don't add any and let it slowly drift down. IO is a fine way to go, however.

12/01/2006, 04:13 PM	#6
J. Montgomery Mouth Pipetting Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 6,278	Reef chemicals calculator http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html korbynlehr, I know that some air "purifiers" are marketed as releasing ozone into your air and that its a good thing . . . you've already got one of these so this is a null point, but my opinion is that ozone is bad, especially in your house, and its better left in the upper atmosphere. As far as the effect on your tank, there is probably no effect as the ozone will most likely react with something in the air before getting close to your water (just my guess). __________________ Josh

12/02/2006, 06:45 AM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	This I believe increases the ozone in our house. How does this affect my tank? It doesn't. It has no impact on CO2. I agree, use just the calcium part until the alkalinity comes down, and for the next couple of days give some big doses to boost calcium to 420 ppm or so, as per the calculator. You can drip limewater at night only, or 24/7. The idea of the slow addition is to keep the ph from rising too much. The two part alone can meet the needs of your tank, but limewater alone may also be able to. Limewater will raise pH more, but once you get calcium up, demand for the two part may rise, and you may end up with a higher pH (but if not, limewater is a good choice). I wouldn't worry about the magnesium, just don't add any and let it slowly drift down. IO is a fine way to go, however. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

12/01/2006, 08:22 AM	#1
korbynlehr Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nicholasville Posts: 322	Chemistry Questions answered in easy to understand non technical answers To be honest I have tried to read the chemisty articles for the answers to all my questions but seem to get caught up in all the technicalities and such and get frustrated and lose all that I may have learned or thought I learned. So with that said can someone including hopefully Randy provide as simple as possible answers to the following questions. And here are our tank parameters as tested this morning. I might add everything looks fine. 60 gallon das 110 lbs DSB 65 lbs live rock salinity 1.026 PH 7.9<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< calcium = 340 <<<<<< nitrates = 0 nitrites = 0 ammonia= 0 magnesium=1500 < alk = 5.71 meq/L 1. We run air purifiers in our house. This I believe increases the ozone in our house. How does this affect my tank? Does this increase or decrease the amount of co2 in our house? Is there a way to measure CO2 in ones house, cheaply? 2. We use bionic 2 part. We add 15 ml of the calcium part and 10 ml of the alk part.Should I switch to using limewater to help get the PH where it neds to be and keep it there? 3. Can I use RO/DI water to mix my limewater? Is the recipe 2 tsp per 1 gallon of water? 4. Can the limewater be mixed with my saltwater for top off? Or do I have to do these two separate? 5. As of now we do not have a top off system other than myself manually adding the water.We have about 6-7 cups of evaporation a day is it okay to add that much limewater at once without raising the ph too fast? I think I need to change from Reef Crystals to get the magnesium lower or if I reduce the ALK part of the bionic to get the alk where it needs to be will the magnesium follow? I really appreciate any and all responses I get.

12/01/2006, 08:43 AM	#2
chadp Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 50	I can help with a couple of these. #3- yes RO/DI is perfect for limewater. Most people use 1 to 2 teaspoons per gallon of water #4- not sure I understand saltwater for top-off but no you don't want to mix kalk into saltwater, freshwater only. #5- it would be highly preferred to drip the limewater slowly thoughout the day, either gravity drip or a diy soda bottle and air tubing

12/01/2006, 09:10 AM	#3
Spuds725 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio USA Posts: 2,051	I would not add that much kalk that fast either... drip it slow or your pH will scream up high... I agree with Chad on #3, #4, & #5....... #1... Don't know about the ozone-- but if your house has high CO2-- then it would be evident with aeration of your tank water outside and the pH rises... the actual level is inconsequential as far as your tank is concerned if it is the cause of your low pH.... I don't know if there is a cheap way to measure CO2... #2.... your Alk is well on the high side especially in relation to your calcium-- in fact the high alkalinity could be driving your calcium down by making it precipitate... I personally would stop adding the Alkalinity half of your 2-part and just add the calcium half for a while... when approximately balanced then you could start dripping Kalk... you can raise the calcium faster (add more then 15 mls at a time)... Jdiek's calculator can tell you how much to add... I'd add it in thirds though... 1/3 of the calculated amount each day... and keep testing... aim for about 380-400 ppm and let the alkalinity come down on its own... HTH... __________________ "I only have time to neglect one tank"-- Me "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve immortality by not dying"-- Woody Allen Current Tank Info: 125G mixed reef with 135G Sump