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#1
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Low Alk...Low pH need help
Hello:
I'm having problems with my pH and ALK. pH is in the 7.8-8.0 and ALK in 6dkH. I am making weekly water changes but it seems not to have results. Recently I acquired 2parts C-Balance but don't know how to use it. I am following the instructions but apparently the instructions are made to maintain the ALK and not to raise it. If someone can help me with that I'll appreciate it.
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Deep Down No one hear you scream! |
#2
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Test, find out where you are, and where you want to be, then plunk all info into this calculator, make sure you fill out how many Gallons your tank is and what kind of supplement your using...
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html That pH is not too low btw, raise the alk a bit and the pH will drift up.
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For my birthday i got a humidifier and a de-humidifier... I put them in the same room and let them fight it out. (Steven Wright) |
#3
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What is the best way to rise my ALK, Baking Soda or C-Balance?
I used the calculator and here si what it shows: from: 6dKH to 9dKH Using: Baking Soda Required: 24.1 grams, approx 5.1 tsp, or 0.8 oz Balanced Calcium: 425 ppm at 3.21 meq/l PH EFECT ALK pH Effect: Somewhat lower Warnings and Usage: Do not dose all at once. This should be slowly dosed into your aquarium. Monitor pH while dosing. Do not allow immediate impact of pH to be more than +/-0.20. ***What is the correct method to add Baking Soda to my Aquarium? How Slow?
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Deep Down No one hear you scream! |
#4
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I use Seachem's Reef Builder to raise carbonate alk. I find it does a good job.
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#5
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Quote:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php |
#6
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Baking soda should be dissolved into fresh water before dosing. I'd make that change in two doses, personally, maybe an hour apart or so.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
#7
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Ok, so i can rise it from my actual 6dKH to 7dKH and tomorrow from 7 to 8dKH, right?
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Deep Down No one hear you scream! |
#8
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That'll work, too.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
#9
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I don't think you want to use baking soda, it will lower your pH. Use baked baking soda since your pH is low. This will raise your pH and alkalinity.
I am not sure if this will raise your pH too quickly, so hopefully someone else will chime in on this one. |
#10
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Baked baking soda? where I find that?
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Deep Down No one hear you scream! |
#11
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You didn't read this did you Please read this article before you go any further. You'll do more harm then good if you don't follow the instructions carefully in this article.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php Ill quote Randy if I may. Quote:
I purchase Arm &hammer cheap at samsclub Last edited by Zedar; 10/16/2007 at 02:08 PM. |
#12
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OK Sorry...now I understand.
So i put 2 1/4 cups of Baking Soda in the oven at 300 degrees for an hour. Then dissolve all the solid in a gallon of RO water and follow the dosing instructions. Another thing....Yesterday a add C balance goes up from 8.0 to 8.2 (at 8pm with lights on) and my ALK still at 6dKH. Usually it reads at this time of the day 8.0 This morning (with every lights off overnight) I make another test and it reads 7.8 So this is my fluctuation right now 7.8 to 8.2. its that go enough? If so, I need to add baked baking soda (for low pH or just B.Soda) Thanks a lot Zedar. I appreciate your help
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Deep Down No one hear you scream! |
#13
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That pH range is okay. I might try to work on the low a bit.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
#14
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Isn't baked baking soda the same as washing soda (soda ash)? I mean aren't they all Sodium carbonate? I think it would be easier to just buy A&H washing soda than to go through the whole baking thing.
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#15
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Sometimes, apparently, washing soda products have additives or fragrances included. Also, they're not necessarily food grade.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
#16
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Last night I baked 2 1/4 cups of A&H Baking soda for an hour at 300 degrees. Then I dissolved everything in a gal of RO. This morning I add slowly (in two sessions) to my tank .4oz (Randy Holmes Calculator).
4 hours later I realized an ALK and pH test and they doesn't rise a thing. WHY?
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Deep Down No one hear you scream! |
#17
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How much was dosed into the system? 0.4 oz or 4 oz?
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Jonathan Bertoni |
#18
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as said in the holmes calc. 68. gal Volume from 6dkh to 8.5dkh using baked baking soda
This is what it shows "12.1 grams, approx 2.6 tsp, or 0.4 oz" I add it 0.4oz in two sessions Why ALK and pH doesn't increase ?
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Deep Down No one hear you scream! |
#19
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Since you're dosing the dissolved recipe 1 (right?), you'll need to use that line in the calculator. I get 4.0 fl oz, which is more than I'd dose in one shot.
That's about 0.4 oz of baked baking soda, dry.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
#20
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Oh my misstake
I choose at the calculator baked baking soda. I need to choose Randys recipe 1. Sorry
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Deep Down No one hear you scream! |
#21
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No problem. Good luck!
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Jonathan Bertoni |
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