alk is low where is the calculator located?

[deansreef]

trying to get a number on how much pickling lime to use!!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I wouldn't use a calculator to determine how much lime to use. Lime addition is limited more by high pH than by high alkalinity. For routine use, many folks replace all evaporated water with limewater made using 1-2 teaspoons of lime per gallon of fresh water.

For other uses, here's a good calculator:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

What is the alkalinity now? If you just want to boost alkalinity quickly, baking soda is a good choice. This article may help:


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

[deansreef]

Randy ,

My calcium is around 600 and my alkalinity is at 3.

I have been using oceanic salt since the beginning.

Dean

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

In that case, lime is a fine way to go for routine additions of calcium and alkalinity, but you may also want a pure alkalinity supplement, such as baking soda, since you do not really need all of the calcium in the limewater.