[quote=“kaptken, post:18, topic:4463”]
I would just dose a little extra Arm iN Hammer Washing Soda, and run a BIG fuge with lights on 24/7. and drip kalwasser at night. Actually, that’s what i do.
The washing soda (sodium carbonate) has a stronger PH raising effect than plain baking soda(sodium bicarbonate), and the macro in the 24/7 lit fuge stays in oxygenation mode and also help to keep the PH up by not producing CO2 in the dark. I also, occasionally, dose a very small bit of 20 Mule Team Borax(sodium tetraborate) which is a very strong buffer. But only if you test for borate. in normal sea water its in very low concentration, like 4-8 PPM. but if you notice, some salt mixes , like SEA CHEM and a couple others use a higher borate buffering system, up to 16 ppm to maintain PH. More than that is toxic to corals or will burn them. so i do not add too much. like a 1/4 teaspoon per hundred gallons. every couple 2 or three water changes . theres a borate test in my SEA CHEM Mg, ALK, Borate test kit i can check with occasionally.
So I use better buffers from Pathmark’s Laundry detergent aisle, and Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime from Walmarts canning aisle section and baking soda from the Dollar Store to keep my PH and alk up. [/quote]
I couldn’t disagree more with Ken. Biological processes (organisms) in reef tank control it’s ph, and not chemicals, all we have to provide is proper environment. Balanced Cal/Alk like you already doing, “properly oxygenated” air like you trying to achieve. Stay away from using strong buffers to jack up your ph, you are fighting something we don’t know. As for using kalkwasser, how can you not? it’s win win situation.
[quote=“dunk, post:22, topic:4463”]
I use two part how can use it along with kalkwasser[/quote]
Dose through you top off. I think the best way to top off water into reef tank through kalkwasser reactor using only a timer (no level switches at all).
Run dosing pump on timer, I use 3-4 minutes on every hour 24/7. There is nothing to fail. So, ro reservoir → dosing pump → kalwasser reactor(stirrer) → your tank. easy. The trick here is NOT to see any increase in ph while dosing (unlike dumping it all at once at night using level switches), but providing properly balanced Cal/Alk solution will result in proper(better) ph management. Added benefit it will precipitate po3.
[quote=“dunk, post:22, topic:4463”]
I use two part how can use it along with kalkwasser[/quote]
Dose through you top off. I think the best way to top off water into reef tank through kalkwasser reactor using only a timer (no level switches at all).
Run dosing pump on timer, I use 3-4 minutes on every hour 24/7. There is nothing to fail. So, ro reservoir → dosing pump → kalwasser reactor(stirrer) → your tank. easy. The trick here is NOT to see any increase in ph while dosing (unlike dumping it all at once at night using level switches), but providing properly balanced Cal/Alk solution will result in proper(better) ph management. Added benefit it will precipitate po3.[/quote]
i dont use an auto top off, first off i am going to raise my alkalinity to 10-11 then i am going to purchase the co2 scrubber if this raises it even below 8 i am happy. If it doesn’t then i will look into ato with the kalk stirrer and all that jazz. could i use a circ pump with kalk/rodi water and hook a aqua lifter to an apex breakout box with float switch and just use kalk to maintain the proper water level in the sump?
I do understand that a natural reef has a ph of above 8.0 i haven’t seen any ill effects with it coral growth has been excellent. I am just wondering if i am making a mountain out of a molehill? but i do want it to be at its best. really i don’t even know if its truly that low i believe the apex ph is correct but i haven’t had a 2nd opinion yet i would like to use a ph meter if any one has one locally?
Back to basics. Washing soda and baking soda are the basic ingredients of most 2 part or buffer additives. Commercial brands will also mix them up with half and half sodium and calcium carbonates and bicarbonates. which is good for chemical balance.
I think baking soda solution is about PH 8.3, washing soda is just a bit more caustic than the baking soda and has a tad higher PH at 8.4-9 ?. Kalwasser is totally caustic and has a PH of 12.5. so Sodium carbonate and bicarb both provide carbonate alkalinity and different degrees of PH boost. milld and medium. and kalwasser is a calcium and carbonate provider with a larger PH boost.
Just remember, they all get diluted down in effect by the tank volume. Which is why we calculate dose for desired effect.
Your right!! I know but I’m always trying to improve maybe the corals will grow and color better with higher ph. I don’t want. Too add a bunch of weird additives. But excess co2 could be a big issue too.