How to raise Alkalinity?

squidward1320 · #1 02/01/2006, 12:34 PM

Well yesterday i tested my calcium in my water. I found it a little low around 350ppm. So i dosed 15ml of B ionic both parts A & B. I checked today my calcium is right around 400ppm.

Then i checked my alkalinity its right around 6.7 to 7.0 dKH. I know its suppose to be right around 8 or so. Can i does a little of part B ionic the alk part? to try to raise it to around 8 dKH. Everything in the tanks looks fine corals and ect but just wondering how i should go about fixing this problem. Thanks!

JRFowler · #2 02/01/2006, 12:50 PM

Yes, you should see to rectify this problem because the lower the alk rating the more the PH will swing when the lights go out.. now im ont familiar with the product your using, but I raide my magnesium and dkh individually with different additives atm, both by Seachem..

my calcium is taken care of by a reactor, now id advise you to only add a kh additive thats designed to raise KH only without affecting other things, as these are all closely linked..

TekCat · #3 02/01/2006, 12:59 PM

7dKH is good value. I've learned the hard way not to tweak too much when everything in norm, just for the sake of having tank tuned perfectly. End result - I had huge calcium precip.

Having said that, yes you could dose a bit more of part B while leaving part A at the same dose.

Amphiprion · #4 02/01/2006, 02:09 PM

Yes, it is best if you do not push these levels beyond normal concentrations. The quickest and easiest way to raise it (if it were very low) would be to use a good quality alkalinity raising product (superbuffer DKH, coral builder, etc) and carefully add and test. If there is a significant deficit, then it would be impractical and expensive to use the alkalinity part of a two part solution.

mg426 · #5 02/01/2006, 02:19 PM

I would tend to agree with amph. the two part ca/bufffers are to (maintain)balanced systems. mabe try some super dkh to get to say 10 dkh then the two part to maintain the levels. And go slowly and test!!!!!!!!!!

WaterKeeper · #6 02/01/2006, 03:18 PM

I totally agree here. 6.7 is not especially low so I wouldn't get too concerned about bringing it up. If the calcium level is good and the pH is 7.8-8.5 then I just continue as you have been doing.

Randy's homemade supplements are good to add a balanced mix of calcium and alkalinity to any tank (and a little magnesium to boot). The recipe and the rational behind using it are found Here.