Alkalinity question

[porpoiseaquatics]

So I've got a SeaChem Alkalinity test kit. These are definitely not the easiest to use. The kit tests for Total Alkalinity, Borate Alkalinity and Carbonate Alkalinity in meg/L. First, which test do I really care about/want? Second, what is the range that I'm looking for? I tested only Total and came in at 2.8 meg/L. If that's not high enough, what measures do I use to increase this. My Calcium level (and not sure how or if they correlate to each other) is at 520 ppm (using an API test kit...I'm switching to a SeaChem kit soon) and pH is at 7.8 constant (I can't seem to get any higher than this using RODI water and Kalkwasser).

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[jennm]

I usually only test total alkalinity - that's the easiest kit to use - titrate til the test turns from blue to yellow, and divide the number of drops you use by 2... ie 8 drops = alk of 4 meq/L

Seachem suggests (as do I) a target range of 4-6 meq/L. NSW is 3.5.

Jenn

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Ok....so what's the easiest way to raise alkalinity?

 

[jennm]

We use Seachem Reef Builder.

Jenn

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Thanks Jenn...just so happens I have some of that.