Baking Soda?

[brians_224]

Hi.

Thanks for your time!

I've been battling low alk for about two weeks.

I've increased the frequency of my pickling lime drip, but I haven't seen the stabilization or an insrease of my alk as a result. I have seen a climb in my ph. Please refer to .This Post (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=387888) for more history

I came across a post that talks about adding baking soda to raise alk? Should I pursue this instead of my pickling lime? Is it to soon?

Current Numbers (via salifert):
Calcium 440
Alk: 6.8
PH: ~8.2

I was dripping 1 quart of saturated di h2o 1x per week, I went to twice a week, with a third dose much closer to the last.

I have a xenia, that's not looking so happy today

[Boomer]

Your Alk is is just fine and is not low. It is at 6.8 dKh, which is 2.4 meq / l Alk. NSW is actually lower than this, at about 2.3 meq / l . Your pH is also fine. I would leave things alone, unless your are looking at raising the Ak above NSW. Some reefers like it at or near 3.5 meq / l, if that is what you mean by low.

[brians_224]

Thanks for your post!

I thought 8.0 was NSW (Salifert Instructions)?

[Boomer]

It depends on how you want to look at it. The range of pH for surface waters is 7.9 - 8.4. Some areas can get as low as 7.5 and as high as 8.9. It is more common for it to be 8.1 - 8.3 in reef areas and most other parts of the ocean

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

brians_224:

Boomer is right on the alkalinity of NSW, but many reefers do keep it a bit higher, and baking soda would be a fine way for you to give it a one time boost. Once up, the limewater should be able to keep it there if you are adding enough limewater.

If the pH rises too much from the limewater, more aeration and/or using vinegar with it can reduce the pH.

More limewater itself, coupled with these pH mitigation techniques should also raise the alkalinity (and cause a small rise in calcium).

This article may help:

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

[brians_224]

Thanks Randy!!!!

Any idea how much baking soda I should add? Baked or non-baked? Volume = 45 gallon with 10 gallon sump.

I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out, especially while you're on vacation.

[brians_224]

Found it. Sorry to be such a gerber baby.

Enjoy your vacation!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome. :)

Good luck!