Chemistry question.

[kwill]

Ok guys/gals:

Cal:480
mag:1290
Alk: 6.7dKH
pH:7.9 (usually between 8 & 8.1)

I understand my PH,mag and alk is a little low and cal is high. I just dosed some Kent Tech M. Now here's my question would it be ok to dose the alk buffer alone(to bring the ALK up)? I don't see the need to does the cal since it's already high and I'm not sure if the part two alk buffer would be ok to add alone. I know all these parameters are tied to each other. any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Kenny

 

[ralph atl]

Yes, dosing soda ash and the like wpuld be fine, and I would use a brs or RC chemistry calculator to insure proper dosing daily without harming anything.

 

[rdnelson]

Absolutely. In fact, you don't want to dose it at the same time as the Cal anyway. If you don't have a gap between them it will all precipitate out. No reason you can't dose your mag and alk at the same time though. By getting the mag up it should help you maintain the other three. It doesn't do anything for the PH really but having a good buffer of say 9 dKH on the Alk will help keep the PH up. Having the mag around 1350 will help keep the Alk up. So, in my opinion, mag is the most important to get stable first. After that, it will be much easier to get Alk and Cal stable and PH will pretty much take care of it's self. Others may have more experience and know how but I have found that works well for me.

 

[kwill]

Thanks guys. After doing the mag and alk my pH is at 8.2. I'm planning to wait a few more hours before I retest.