Raising Alk

[chadm]

Hi, I did a search but it gives me all sorts of other things about Alk but nothing tells me this..

How fast can I raise Alk in a SPS dominate tank?

Also, how much does 1 gal of saturated limewater raise Alk on a 45 gal system? Is there some way to figure this out? My tank seems to be able to consume atleast a gal of Kalk a night and still get lower Alk then it had in the morning.

Thank You
Best Regards
Chad

[bertoni]

The easiest way to raise alkalinity rapidly is to dissolve some baking soda in some fresh water, and add that to the tank. This calculator should help:

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

Using saturated lime to raise alkalinity in a hurry can spike the pH badly, so I always drip lime.

Over the long haul, the calcium will drop if that's not dosed as well, so I'd suggest looking into some B-Ionic or a similar product, or the DIY version. Spiking the limewater with vinegar might help as well. These articles discuss dosing limewater and calcium-alkalinity supplementation:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php

[chadm]

I'm not looking to use Alk to rapidly increase Alk, I want it to maintain it - used on a controller to maintain PH at 8.1 during the night, it consumes on avg a gal a night, but the Alk neither raises or stays the same, it just goes down.

When it comes to Kalk, I am just curious if there is a hard core formula that says this much Kalk will raise Alk by this much in this much water.

Also, like I asked previously.. what is the fastest I can raise Alk, in other words I want to raise it by 2meg.. can I do that as fast as possible assuming I do not drastically alter PH?

[Boomer]

3.1 fl oz of sat. limewater, will raise the Alk 1 meq / l in 1 gallon of water. For 45 gal = 1.1 gal of sat limwater for 1 meq / l rise

To raise the alk with the least amount of problems use baking soda and increase 1 meq / l /day.

If you use kalk and try to raise the alk to fast you will have high pH problems and baking soda does not do this. Baking soda will have the least amount of impact on pH. For that in 10 gal of water 1/2 tsps, approx 1.14 grams, will raise it 1 meq / l. For 20 gal 1 tsps. 45 gals of actual water, if that is waht you have 2.25 tsps.

[bertoni]

Thanks, Boomer!

[Boomer]

:thumbsup:

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7682271#post7682271 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Boomer
3.1 fl oz of sat. limewater, will raise the Alk 1 meq / l in 1 gallon of water. For 45 gal = 1.1 gal of sat limewater for 1 meq / l rise


Note that the sam amount indicated above will also add 20 ppm of Calcium.

You can use the flash version of the calculator linked by bertoni selecting saturated lime water as the supplement to determine this amounts and also get charts that will tell you what the addition will be at different additions which you can use as a reference for future requirements.
http://reef.diesyst.com
If you enter 45 gal as the volume, 3 meq/lt as initial alkalinity and 4 meq/lt as final alkalinity, click on the Alkalinity button and you will have not only the amount but also a chart that tells you different additions at different levels.
Similarly for calcium if you enter 45 gal as the volume, 400 ppm of initial calcium and 420 ppm of desired Calcium and click on the calcium button you will get a similar chart.
You probably know it already but lime water will not maintain magnesium which will have to be adjusted with manual supplements once in a while.

Enjoy!

[Boomer]

We are hoping JD he does not do it that way but with baking soda :D Thanks for the additional comments. I should have mentioned the small rise in Cg++ of 20 ppm :(

[jdieck]

Right, I should have been more clear so a new comment is in order. Saturated lime water shall not be used to increase the levels. The calculator tells you how much it adds as a mean of knowing your calcium and alkalinity consumption when comparing the limewater volume added as normal regime to maintain the levels to that volume of the calculated amount.

In other words if you are adding 1.1 gal per day of saturated lime in your 45 gal system, your system is consumming 1 meq/lt per day of alkalinity and 20 ppm of Calcium.

[chadm]

Is it possible that your system can consume more Alk than Cal.. Its all so confusing :)

Last time I did a check my system consumed 1meg of Alk a day, I just took two water samples in the last 24 hrs, going to test them and see what the current consumption rate is. I was hoping I could take care of it all with daily nightime kalk dosing on the controller, but it does not seem likely.

I have never had a Alk at 9dkh.. or even NSW level. Always below.

[Boomer]

s it possible that your system can consume more Alk than Cal.. Its all so confusing

Yes it can and some as high as yours ;) Almost all systems will consume Alk more than Calcium.


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

A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

When Do Calcium and Alkalinity Demand Not Exactly Balance?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rhf/index.htm

[chadm]

I see.... so basicly, I need to start dosing a balanced additive other than Kalk.

I just bought an aqualifter to dose the kalk, but if I need to dose a balanced additive then I will need to get those paristallic pumps with the two tubings.. I would think.. or do the air pump method I saw Boomer post. Gah, and here I thought I had it all figured out