alkalinity

[robbywood20]

my alkalinity is only 6.5mEq/L and my ph is 8.45 is there a way to raise my alkalinity without raising my ph any more than it is? I have been doseing 6 tsp of kent marine supperbuffer- dKH in a 140 gal system for the past 4 days and my alkalinity has come up from 4.5 to 6.5 but I dont want my ph to go any higher. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ralph atl]

I would use a 2 part plus insure magnesium is over 1300.

this is an example:

calcium:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-calcium-chloride-aquarium-supplement.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-calcium-chloride-aquarium-supplement.html</a>

Alk that raises PH:
[IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-soda-ash-sodium-carbonate-aquarium-supplement.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-soda-ash-sodium-carbonate-aquarium-supplement.html</a>


Alk that doesn't raise ph that much:
[IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-sodium-bicarbonate-aquarium-supplement-1.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-sodium-bicarbonate-aquarium-supplement-1.html</a>

mag:
[IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/2-part-magnesium-mix-aquarium-supplement.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/2-part-magnesium-mix-aquarium-supplement.html</a>


info:

[IMG]http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php</a>

 

[robbywood20]

im about ready to give all my corals away. I have never had this sort of problem. ive deen dosing the kent marine KH builder for a week now and my ph is 8.5 and my alkalinity was coming up but I checked it today and it is back down to 5. and I have hair alge growing everywher. somebody please help. I have done 75 gals of water changes over the past week and ahalf.

 

[rdnelson]

What's the mag. If it is off you will never get the other two in line?

 

[ralph atl]

robbywood20;828978 wrote: im about ready to give all my corals away. I have never had this sort of problem. ive deen dosing the kent marine KH builder for a week now and my ph is 8.5 and my alkalinity was coming up but I checked it today and it is back down to 5. and I have hair alge growing everywher. somebody please help. I have done 75 gals of water changes over the past week and ahalf.

the help was posted already? 3 DAYS ago!....very confused....I gave sound advice, you ignored, yet same trouble and more? lol...

I'd "spell it out to you" , but you see I have already done so....just teasin'.....

 

[ripped tide]

6.5 mg/l???? Way too high. 6kh would be just a little low. Make sure that you are testing for the right thing.


In mg/l you want to keep alk between 2.5-4.0

In kh between 7 and 12

Edit: What kit are you using?

 

[ralph atl]

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?p=812857&highlight=phosphates#post812857">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?p=812857&highlight=phosphates#post812857</a>

here is some info on algae, however there are thousands of threads here on the subject......


pm for any more threads/info......

 

[gregoryleonard]

robbywood20;827988 wrote: my alkalinity is only 6.5mEq/L and my ph is 8.45 is there a way to raise my alkalinity without raising my ph any more than it is? I have been doseing 6 tsp of kent marine supperbuffer- dKH in a 140 gal system for the past 4 days and my alkalinity has come up from 4.5 to 6.5 but I dont want my ph to go any higher. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

IMHO, if you raised your AK from 4.5 to 6.5meq/l within a day, that is way to much in a short period of time.
As Dylan stated. are you testing dkh or meq/l. if meq/l, no wonder your PH is that high. also, as others have stated and asked, what is your MG reading?
Also, it would help if you posted the type of kits you are using and the readings of AK, CA, MG, Nitrate, Phosphate, SG and PH along with type of kits. you may be getting inaccurate readings from the kits you are using.

 

[robbywood20]

aquarium systems akalinity test. this is a different test from what I am used to. test is as follows fill vial with 5ml add reagent one drop at a time un til it turns from blue to yellow conversion chart shows a multiplyer of x50 for ppm and x2.8 for dkh I have completely read the chart wrong and it looks like my dkh is over 15 and 5 mEq/L my my what a stupid mistake. so what do I do now? everything is still alive just very stressed. dont want to swing back the other way too fast right?

 

[ralph atl]

robbywood20;829002 wrote: aquarium systems akalinity test. this is a different test from what I am used to. test is as follows fill vial with 5ml add reagent one drop at a time un til it turns from blue to yellow conversion chart shows a multiplyer of x50 for ppm and x2.8 for dkh I have completely read the chart wrong and it looks like my dkh is over 15 and 5 mEq/L my my what a stupid mistake. so what do I do now? everything is still alive just very stressed. dont want to swing back the other way too fast right?

just do a water change.....20% daily for a few days...or as much as you can! Get a new test kit, i.e., Elos ALK or Salifet....

 

[ripped tide]

You likely have an imbalance at this point.

I'd suggest a series of water changes over the next few days to get things back in check. Maybe %20-30 each.

Don't add any more buffer! Lol.

Edit: Ralph, you beat me to it!

 

[robbywood20]

the original increasr in the levels was over a 4 day period. havent dosed in two days. I see now that I was useing the wrong mutiplyer. this is a test that I dont normally use. I made a very careless mistake. so what is the best way to correct it before everything in the tank dies?

Edit: thanks for the help I am mixing up water as we speak.

 

[ripped tide]

robbywood20;829011 wrote: the original increasr in the levels was over a 4 day period. havent dosed in two days. I see now that I was useing the wrong mutiplyer. this is a test that I dont normally use. I made a very careless mistake. so what is the best way to correct it before everything in the tank dies?

What Ralph and myself advised above ^^^^^


Just saw the edit. :thumbs: good luck!!!

 

[gregoryleonard]

Ripped Tide;829008 wrote: You likely have an imbalance at this point.

I'd suggest a series of water changes over the next few days to get things back in check. Maybe %20-30 each.

Don't add any more buffer! Lol.

Edit: Ralph, you beat me to it!

+1 Check and double check results when using a different test kit than you are used to using. LOL
Wish you all the best. Sometimes it's best to let the AK come down naturally or gradually with small water changes every day or other day. If you have SPS and LPS they will use up the AK. You did not answer the question about CA and MG readings? As Dylan said, you probably most likely have an imbalance, so keeping your CA and MG at acceptable levels will be important as well. What are thos ereadings now?

 

[robbywood20]

the mag test I have is a seachem and you have to be a chemist to use it. what is an easy one to use?

 

[rdnelson]

mysterybox;829006 wrote: just do a water change.....20% daily for a few days...or as much as you can! Get a new test kit, i.e., Elos ALK or Salifet....

+1

In addition, get an Elos mag test kit. Trust me you will be glad you did. Once you get the Alk down focus on Mag before you worry about the other two too much. Get it in line and the others will be much easier to maintain.

Don't chase numbers. While trying to maintain recommended numbers is good, stability and slow change is better. I look at my results as an indicator not as gospel.

Last, when you are making changes and see things start to go down hill stop what you are doing. Things won't die in a day or too. That gives you time to pick the brains of smart people like those who posted in this thread (not including me in that smart people list). These guys know what they are talking about. Trust them.

 

[robbywood20]

last mag test was 1250 but that was before I started messing up my alk. LOL

Edit: I do completely trust the people on here but I will say you must have thick skin or you will get your feelings hurt real fast on this sight

 

[rdnelson]

robbywood20;829015 wrote: the mag test I have is a seachem and you have to be a chemist to use it. what is an easy one to use?

The only one I will use is Elos.

 

[robbywood20]

ordering one now.

 

[ripped tide]

robbywood20;829015 wrote: the mag test I have is a seachem and you have to be a chemist to use it. what is an easy one to use?

I like the seachem test . It's a pain, but it makes me feel like a REAL scientist. Oooo man, that brings back good memories.... If I ever meet you in person, remind me to share the story about the time I was accused of being a scientist.