Low Alk...Low pH need help

[rickyscuba]

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.

[Bri Guy]

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.

[rickyscuba]

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?

[Percula9]

I use Seachem's Reef Builder to raise carbonate alk. I find it does a good job.

[Zedar]

Originally posted by rickyscuba
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?

you should read this

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

[bertoni]

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.

[rickyscuba]

Ok, so i can rise it from my actual 6dKH to 7dKH and tomorrow from 7 to 8dKH, right?

[bertoni]

That'll work, too.

[Mavrk]

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.

[rickyscuba]

Baked baking soda? where I find that?

[Zedar]

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.

Recipe #1, Part 2: The Alkalinity Part
Spread baking soda (594 grams or about 2 ¼ cups) on a baking tray and heat in an ordinary oven at 300°F for one hour to drive off water and carbon dioxide. Overheating is not a problem, either with higher temperatures or longer times. Dissolve the residual solid in enough water to make 1 gallon total. This dissolution may require a fair amount of mixing. Warming it speeds dissolution. This solution will contain about 1,900 meq/L of alkalinity (5,300 dKH). I prefer to use baked baking soda rather than washing soda in this recipe as baking soda from a grocery store is always food grade, while washing soda may not have the same purity requirements. Arm & Hammer brand is a fine choice. Be sure to NOT use baking powder. Baking powder is a different material that often has phosphate as a main ingredient.

I bring the water to a boil to make it easy to dissolve.
I purchase Arm &hammer cheap at samsclub

[rickyscuba]

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

[bertoni]

That pH range is okay. I might try to work on the low a bit.

[Mavrk]

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.

[bertoni]

Sometimes, apparently, washing soda products have additives or fragrances included. Also, they're not necessarily food grade.

[rickyscuba]

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?

[bertoni]

How much was dosed into the system? 0.4 oz or 4 oz?

[rickyscuba]

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 ?

[bertoni]

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.

[rickyscuba]

Oh my misstake
I choose at the calculator baked baking soda. I need to choose Randys recipe 1. Sorry

[bertoni]

No problem. Good luck!