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View Full Version : waiting for alk to drop, stop dosing Kalk?

benf
10/14/2006, 08:48 PM
all of my parimeters seem good not that i brought my Mag. up except my Alk...it continues to be on the high side and was wondering if i should stop dosing the Kalk til my Alk drops to mid 3 or less. For the past month it seems to stay in the mid 4s even though my Ca and ph are normal.
Billybeau1
10/14/2006, 09:08 PM
Why do you think your alk is high? Salt mix ? Using pH buffers ?
benf
10/14/2006, 09:59 PM
My Ca is running between 420-450 PH is ~8.3-8.4, but my Alk has been running lately in the mid 4's. I thought Sea water is around 2.9.

I use 2 types of salt...TMpro(which i am using now) and IO Reef Crystals which i ran out of. I usually switch back and forth.
Billybeau1
10/14/2006, 10:25 PM
I dont know, mid 4's isnt so bad. Cal and pH are right on the money.

I would not get hung up on NSW levels for alk as most folks try and keep their tanks alk a little higher say btween 8 and 11 dkh.

As long as it doesnt get any higher, I would not worry. :)
cody-the-roo
10/14/2006, 10:38 PM
What units are you using for your Alkalinity Measurements? Your Calicum looks good.
cody-the-roo
10/14/2006, 10:43 PM
pilfered from Randy Holmes-Farley (on another thread)

FWIW, 1 meq/L = 2.8 dKH = 50 ppm CaCO3 equivalents.

So, when you say you are in the mid 4's, do you mean meq/L or dKH?

4 meq/L wouldn't be too bad. (~ 11 dKH)
jdieck
10/14/2006, 10:50 PM
Even if you stop dosing while the alkalinity will drop to 3.5 the Calcium will only drop by 20 ppm and you can always adjust Calcium with some Calcium chloride if required.
virgin reefer
10/14/2006, 11:53 PM
What kinda test kit do you guys use?
jdieck
10/14/2006, 11:57 PM
I use La Motte for Alkalinity, Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite
Salifert for Calcium and Magnesium
Hanna Colorimeter LR for Phosphate
virgin reefer
10/15/2006, 12:53 AM
I can't get a salifert KH test I only have the tetra one. it says I have 260 meg/l but I was tolf you add the drops together, and I get 13.

sorry if this is a repeat question.
Billybeau1
10/15/2006, 07:27 AM
Thats more then likely 260 mg/l not meq/l (mg/l is the same as ppm. It is a little high. That said I dont have much faith in the accuracy of that kit.
benf
10/15/2006, 08:00 AM
I use the Salifert test kits and the reading is in meq/L or ~12.5dkh
Randy Holmes-Farley
10/15/2006, 09:10 AM
12.5 dKH is not high enough to worry much about, so I'd just dose a little less limewater, or less lime in the same volume of limewater, and let the alk drift down a bit. :)
benf
10/15/2006, 09:25 AM
Sounds like a plan!! thanks everybody!!
Randy Holmes-Farley
10/15/2006, 02:25 PM
:thumbsup:

Good luck. :)
virgin reefer
10/15/2006, 05:31 PM
I guess my question would be how to maintain my PH at >8.0 when I shouldn't dose Alk. stuff. The buffer for my PH also raises my alk. I've been having trouble with my calcium but finally got it up to 420ppm. How high is to high for kh?
Thanks.
Billybeau1
10/15/2006, 05:54 PM
I would try to keep below 12 dkh.

The best ways to keep pH above 8.0 is more aeration with fresh air or limewater.
killereef
10/15/2006, 06:48 PM
Iam glad that you started this tread, because mine is high too and I am dripping kalk.
Billybeau1
10/15/2006, 06:54 PM
Everyones situation is different. If your alk is getting high, just cut back on the amount of lime you mix in the water.

Example: I only use 1 tsp per gallon. Suits my tank just fine. :)
Randy Holmes-Farley
10/16/2006, 09:58 AM
The best ways to keep pH above 8.0 is more aeration with fresh air or limewater.

:thumbsup:

FWIW, buffers are a poor choice in raising pH.
benf
10/17/2006, 05:40 PM
Just as an update, it has been 2.5 days since i stopped my Kalk drip and my alk is now back to normal as well are my other parameters. I did however yesterday dose 2 capfulls of Ca to keep the level up which worked when i ckd my levels today.

Tomorrow i will start the drip again!
jdieck
10/17/2006, 06:15 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8360083#post8360083 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by benf
Just as an update, it has been 2.5 days since i stopped my Kalk drip and my alk is now back to normal as well are my other parameters. I did however yesterday dose 2 capfulls of Ca to keep the level up which worked when i ckd my levels today.

Tomorrow i will start the drip again!

How is the PH?
benf
10/17/2006, 06:19 PM
8.3
jdieck
10/17/2006, 06:45 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8360358#post8360358 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by benf
8.3

Great!