So today I checked my levels on everything and my KH was low for a first time ever at 6KH 107.4ppm tested with api test 2 times to make sure it was right.
Whats setups are you guys using to maintain a good Kh,alk,ph for mixed reef system?
I am looking into getting a Kalkwasser unit for top offs like Rosti has, what are you’re takes on this and what other things should I add to the system to help keep things stable and in good parameters? I am not sure how useful the phosban reactors are but I have noticed them on alot of tanks. I have also thought about getting a Reef keeper but just not sure on what model I should get for the setup I have and if it is really worth it. I can not say I have ever heard anything bad about these units at all.
Any info would be great. Also I have a old RODI unit(white plastic so it is not see through) I could convert if that is worth converting for such uses as carbon,phosban, whatever else.
I would like to stay under $350 for all of this if possible since I do plan on buying mp40’s in the future
Baking soda(Sodium bicarbonate) is a very cheap and easy chemical to use to increase your aquarium dKH levels.Make sure that you increase the levels very slowly.What is your Ca and Mg level?
I wouldn’t raise the alkalinity levels any higher then 1.0 dKH per day. Your level isn’t too low; I keep mine at 8. There is some debate on the levels within the hobby. Yes;you can use a “reef calculator” to obtain the proper amount of sodium bicarbonate you will need with your specific tank volume.
[quote=“JustSumGuy, post:4, topic:4292”]
How slow? I would assume you would mix it in some fresh water and drip it as slow as I could get it?[/quote]
when i dripped, i had a gallon with 29 grams of sodium carbonate [heated/dried sodium bicarbonate] that i allowed to run in over the course of a day.
“I have also thought about getting a Reef keeper but just not sure on what model I should get for the setup I have and if it is really worth it.”
ask rosti about his feelings on a reefkeeper, ask jon, ask me–no way. another brand maybe, not them
Hi Jeff, I would raise you levels using Red Sea Reef Foundation A Supplement (Ca/Sr), Red Sea Reef Foundation B Supplement (Alk), Red Sea Reef Foundation C Supplement (Mg)
or Seachem Reef Fusion 1â„¢ and Reef Fusion 2â„¢, note you will need small bottles to raise levels.
Than once you raise to level you like it to be try to maintain it using kalkwasser THROUGH reactor as your auto top-off. I think you will find that should be enough for your tank for now. Why though reactor? and not just mixing by hand and adding it. Since top off is limited by evaporation, you need to get maximum concentration as possible in to it. What happens is if you mix ro water and kalkwasser in open container, CO2 will react with kalkwasser removing calcium by as much as 50%. So why loose such an important realestate. And you don’t have to touch it for month, that powder is very corrosive. Look in to new Two Little Fishies KW Reactor 300 (Kalkwasser Reactor), looks need. Now all you have to do is get Aqua Medic SP 3000 Dosing pump (or similar) and timer, start your auto topoff 1 minute every hour 24/7, adjust as you like. Can’t be more simple than that, no switches to fail, no overdoing, no change in PH. Some day when you get controller, you can use controller as timer, but for now you don’t need it.
I still have to buy a ph tester I do not know my current ph level so that could be up or down.
I was under the assumption that ph or alk(not sure which) should be around 8-11 with mixed reefs.
I have one that I am not using, it’s milwaki. You can have it for $25, works great. I keep at 12dkh with salinity at 1.025-26, there is lots opinions out there, so pick what you think is best.
I probably should have mentioned that I too maintain my tank with kalkwasser. However, I still suggest that if you want to raise your alkalinity levels go with the baking soda.
[quote=“andrewk529, post:10, topic:4292”]
I probably should have mentioned that I too maintain my tank with kalkwasser. However, I still suggest that if you want to raise your alkalinity levels go with the baking soda.[/quote]
I am sure baking soda is ok, i just don’t think he should raise alk and kill cal. If he used balanced solution he will be fine raising both. You can’t have one without the other. Jeff, it like having engine with very high torque or very high HP. Both will suck, you make one balanced and you have a winner.
[quote=“JustSumGuy, post:8, topic:4292”]
.
I was under the assumption that ph or alk(not sure which) should be around 8-11 with mixed reefs.[/quote]
ALK
You really don’t need to have PH tester, as long as alk/cal/mag up to norm PH will follow. It’s just nice to know were it’s so we can worry about it. ::
When you get controller you will have ph probe/tester/controller
I believe the first thing to check, before adding buffer and calcium, is check the magnesium level. If it’s below 1300, add Mg suppliment until you get it to about 1350 PPM. Magnesium acts like a referee between alk and calcium ions, to keep them apart. so as they don’t precipitate. then add what ever brand system you like.
you will have less trouble holding your calcium/DKH levels that way.
[quote=“JustSumGuy, post:1, topic:4292”]
I have also thought about getting a Reef keeper but just not sure on what model I should get for the setup I have and if it is really worth it. I can not say I have ever heard anything bad about these units at all.[/quote]
I don’t like Reef keepers at all and with the soon to be released Neptune Apex Jr. Going the route of Neptune vs DA is a no brainer. Seriously had more head aches with DA ReefKeepers then with any other product I have ever used in the industry.
(reading further it looks as if Paul already mentoined this, but I still want to say it again.)
You will hear or people who are terrified of Kalkwasser and won’t use it for fear of pH swings. You can VERY easily get bigger pH swings from a water change then you could from running Kalk through a reactor as Rosti said. I run a TLF KWReactor 300 on my own aquarium, on two of my clients systems, and plan to purchase a second for home soon.
While Rosti uses Red Sea products to dose his system for what the Kalk can’t keep up with, I use a calcium reactor. Do not consider a calcium reactor until you have a good controller you are familiar with and understand how a Calcium reactor works. That should be in the future though because if this is the first time your Alkalinity has dropped a measureable amount then Kalk alone will likely be enough.
There are lots of opinions out about what level to run Alkalinity. Unless you have a regular dosing system in place and keep things steady I wouldn’t recommend running it high like Rosti. 7-9dKH is a good target. I used to always maintain 9dKH, but since I switched to a probiotic/Ultra low nutrient system approach I have begun maitaining it at 7dKH. One of the biggest problems I have is corals over growing each other.
[quote=“kaptken, post:13, topic:4292”]
I believe the first thing to check, before adding buffer and calcium, is check the magnesium level. If it’s below 1300, add Mg suppliment until you get it to about 1350 PPM. Magnesium acts like a referee between alk and calcium ions, to keep them apart. so as they don’t precipitate. then add what ever brand system you like.
So I noticed a couple things off.
Salinity - 1.0225 never allowed it to get this low before. I typically maintain a 1.25
Mag - 900ppm I have never seen it get this low.
Calc - 400ppm
nitrates - 0
nitrites - 0
phosphates - 0
Kh - 6
To get my salinity back I will use saltwater ass top off water to try and slowly get it back to normal as to cause as least shock as possible. Sound right? As for the Mag should I start dripping that with the top off water or just go by the bottle and put in the allowed amount per 24hours? I use Brightwell Aquatics magnesion
[quote=“andrewk529, post:10, topic:4292”]
I probably should have mentioned that I too maintain my tank with kalkwasser. However, I still suggest that if you want to raise your alkalinity levels go with the baking soda.[/quote]
I am sure baking soda is ok, i just don’t think he should raise alk and kill cal. If he used balanced solution he will be fine raising both. You can’t have one without the other. Jeff, it like having engine with very high torque or very high HP. Both will suck, you make one balanced and you have a winner.[/quote]
His current reading of 400Ca and 6 dKH is unbalanced. Balanced ionic composition at 410Ca is 7dKH or 11.2dKH. He only needs to raise his dKH by 1.0 and Ca by .10. These numbers also assume the correct salinity,pH of 8 and Mg.What do you typically run your Ca levels at Rosti?
Not sure if this is of any use but I was looking on my salt bucket and it is supposed to have 450 calc, 1340mg, dkh 12.2. I use red sea coral pro salt. After this batch is done I am going to try TM pro salt.
[quote=“andrewk529, post:10, topic:4292”]
I probably should have mentioned that I too maintain my tank with kalkwasser. However, I still suggest that if you want to raise your alkalinity levels go with the baking soda.[/quote]
I am sure baking soda is ok, i just don’t think he should raise alk and kill cal. If he used balanced solution he will be fine raising both. You can’t have one without the other. Jeff, it like having engine with very high torque or very high HP. Both will suck, you make one balanced and you have a winner.[/quote]
His current reading of 400Ca and 6 dKH is unbalanced. Balanced ionic composition at 410Ca is 7dKH or 11.2dKH. He only needs to raise his dKH by 1.0 and Ca by .10. These numbers also assume the correct salinity,pH of 8 and Mg.What do you typically run your Ca levels at Rosti?[/quote]
I am questioning cal 400 with alk 6, it’s impossible. It will only stay unbalanced for few hours or you will see milky water. Jeff didn’t touch anything for a week. So it’s ether alk test off or cal test , eather way do a few smal water changes or use balanced solution. This is what I would do on my tank. And Jeff don’t blame ReadSea salt, if tank used up base elements, it’s not salts fault. Before you spend lots money on good salt do a few water changes to bring things back up including salinity.
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