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Questin on Alkalinity Part 2

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  • #1

    Questin on Alkalinity Part 2

    My alk. as of last night was 5.6 (this is usually where it is because I have a hard time getting it to go higher). I used the Reef Calculator to calculate how much B-ionic alkalinity I would have to add to my 40 net gallon tank and it told me 46 ML. This morning I added the 46 ml in hopes that I could test tommorrow and see how much the alk. had dropped and then come up with a daily dosing routine to keep alk. at 8.0. However after dosing the 46 ml of alk. today I waited about 4 hours and tested to see if it had raised my alk. According to the results the 46 ml of alk. didn't raise my alkalinity one bit.
    What is going on here? Could it be the corals are in such need of alkalinity they used it up that quickly or is it that I did not wait long enough to have the test kit pick up the newly added alkalinity?
    You're Norma Desmond you used to be big.

    I am big it's the pictures that got small.

    From the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard"
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  • #2
    Hows your pH?
    What kit for alk?
    How do you measure pH?

    SteveU
    “People are very open-minded about new things - as long as they're exactly like the old ones.”
    ...Charles F. Kettering

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    • #3
      that sounds like a lot to add at one time. I would check and make sure the test kit is working properly. maybe take some water to the lfs or a friends house and test it with their kit.

      Comment

      • #4
        Ph is 8.4
        I use the Fastest test kit
        I measure Ph using teh Red Sea Test Kit
        You're Norma Desmond you used to be big.

        I am big it's the pictures that got small.

        From the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard"

        Comment

        • #5
          keep an eye on your corals Brad, That was probably way too much to add at one time
          Sean

          Tank Specs:60g Cube SPS/Clam tank, ASM G1x Skimmer, DIY ZEOvit Reactor, 1x400w EVC 14k, Marine Life Aquatics CR-250 CaRx (RIP)

          Not sure yet.....Build Thread to come!

          Comment

          • #6
            You could be adding to much at a time so that it's precipitating right back out due to the high pH in the area where it's added. If it's being dosed into your sump, the sump walls will be encrusted and the pump's inner walls and magnet will also start to show considerable build up.
            If it's precipitating out it should be taking the calcium along with it.

            Does the additive turn the water slightly cloudy when first added to the tank... If it does that version is really pushing the pH real high for a short time.

            It's been about 6-7 years since I used Fastest so I don't remember them. I'd get a second opinion from another test though.

            SteveU
            “People are very open-minded about new things - as long as they're exactly like the old ones.”
            ...Charles F. Kettering

            Comment

            • #7
              When I add the Alk. the water turns clody for about 1/2 a second then goes back to normal. Corals look fine right now, I know it was a lot to add but I thought it would probably be fine. I add it directly to the tank and my pumps show no signs of buildup.
              You're Norma Desmond you used to be big.

              I am big it's the pictures that got small.

              From the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard"

              Comment

              • #8
                Make sure your Mg level is at least 1300. . .low Mg has a negative impact on your alk and Ca levels (I got this advice from Randy Holmes-Farley). If it's not high enough you can't maintain alk and Ca.

                I have a 100 gallon mixed reef with about 90 gallons total system volume.I add 90ml (yes, nine-zero) of B-Ionic A & B daily to keep my alk at just under 8.0 and my Ca at about 430. My PH runs around 8.15 - 8.25. I'm shopping for a calcium reactor right now!

                Comment

                • #9
                  My mag. is above 1400 and Calc. is around 400 so those appear to be ok. This is a rookie question but how do ph and alk. affect one another? If I start leaving my windows open will this drop my ph and therefore raise my alkalinity?
                  You're Norma Desmond you used to be big.

                  I am big it's the pictures that got small.

                  From the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard"

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Brad... IMO the alk is so important to the success of any reef system, ZEOvit or not. Try confirming your test results as soon as you can with those from another kit (brand).

                    I use Salifert, Aquarium Pham. and Red Sea. IMO Salifert is most accurate due to the drop size. But for regular monitoring I'm happy with the other two brands. Aquarium Pham kit is like $7.00 but it only reads down to 1.0 increments and not .1.

                    When I was using only a two-part for maintenance I set up a plan to determine the tanks needs and usage.

                    My goal at the time was 9.0 (before zeo). I tested every morning before work and every night when I got home. From the reef calculator I created a chart so I knew who much of each part I needed to raise the alk by .1 dkh and the calcium by 10ppm.
                    After each test I logged the results of the tests and the amount of each part of the two part I added. I continued the testing for a full three weeks, morning and night without missing a test. With that data I was able to total the additive used during the 3 weeks and then divide that by the 21 days and it gave me my daily need at that time. With that many tests and so many small additions it eliminating testing noise from individual tests. I used a considerable amount of test reagents but in the end I could depend on those numbers to be accurate.

                    If you have a sump you might want to consider adding it via an IV style drip over a period of hours. I don't suggest that you fill the reservoir with any more than a days supply just because that style drip is unreliable. Dump in the ca portion but drip the alk part.

                    SteveU
                    “People are very open-minded about new things - as long as they're exactly like the old ones.”
                    ...Charles F. Kettering

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Good deal, thanks for the info. But do you think opening my window would help me or is that not a factor?
                      You're Norma Desmond you used to be big.

                      I am big it's the pictures that got small.

                      From the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard"

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        More outside air may mean less co2 in the tank water if your house has an abundance of co2. If that is in fact true it will raise your pH but will do nothing to your alk levels.

                        SteveU
                        “People are very open-minded about new things - as long as they're exactly like the old ones.”
                        ...Charles F. Kettering

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Ok will I need to drop my alk. by a little since it prefers to hang around 8.4. From now on my windows are open. Thanks for all the help so far, I am going to buy the Salifert Alk. test today or tommorrow and test again.
                          You're Norma Desmond you used to be big.

                          I am big it's the pictures that got small.

                          From the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard"

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            If the alk prefers to stay around 8.4 why was it so low (if in fact it is). Did you stop dosing the two part for a while,? not test for a while?, change test kits?

                            SteveU
                            “People are very open-minded about new things - as long as they're exactly like the old ones.”
                            ...Charles F. Kettering

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              The alk. prefers to stay around 5.6.
                              You're Norma Desmond you used to be big.

                              I am big it's the pictures that got small.

                              From the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard"

                              Comment

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