CAN'T RAISE ALK AND CALCIUM!!!

[Dirt4dinner]

OK, I know I have seen this topic come up a dozen times...I just never paid attention. Well, now I need help with this very deal.

I have been dosing Kalkwasser for 5 days now at a pretty steady drip, and my ALK has never gone above 6.1, and my calcium never above 370. I need help...I think baking powder might help. I have tried buffer, and liquid calcium and neither helped either. Perhaps I just need to add more...but I'm not sure.

What are you thoughts? I need to get these up and keep them there! -DIRT

[Whoyah]

Tyler,

Here is a great link for a Alk and Calcium dosing calculator. I use it on a regualr basis. Make sure to add it to your favorites.

http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html

One thing to keep in mind is that kalk only maintains your levels. You need to have your levels where you want them before dosing with kalk. Baking soda will raise your Alk. I would also recommend you have good quality test kits on both Alk, Calcium, and pH. I use Saliferts for both my Alk and Calcium. Worth every penny in my opinion. I have a pH monitor but I am sure Salifert's pH kit is a good one too.

[Dirt4dinner]

Thanks for the link. I use the Salifert tests for everything you mentioned. I have NEVER been able to get my alk up...my calcium was at 420 awhile back, but has since dropped off...probably becasue of all the kalk going into the system. I will do some more research tomorrow.

I just had a good scare. I heard this buzzing noise all of a sudden, so I started looking around thinking it was my wife's computer, then I noticed it coming from my stand. I opened up the stand and grabbed my flashlight (as it's midnight here), and found 3" of standing water in the bottom of my stand, and my power strip laying in the water...the buzzing was the surge protector! Good lord, I was afraid to touch anything, so now I just spent 20 min. soaking up the water in the stand and am going to put a fan on it for the night, I will asses the damage tomorrow morning and only run the necessesities on the tank for tonight. I think it was this canister filter I am borrowing, looks like I didn't get an O-ring on straight and it dumped water for about 4 hours. Hopefully everything is ok.....

[jerryc]

I have been using kalk for years to maintain my calcium but as already stated
it wont do much good to raze it.So i keep a good 2 part to use in the
event it gos be low whit i wont

[perpetual98]

Tyler, you should probably check to make sure you have an adequate level of copper in your tank. :)

[dakar]

BTW it's Baking SODA not baking powder to help manage alkalinty. They are quite different.

[Dirt4dinner]

Baking soda, baking powder, gun powder, powdered sugar....WHATTTZA' difference!?!? :)

[dsfdbutterfly]

Hey Tyler,

I don't know if you have to buff your water for PH like I do here in Payson but if you do I found the buffer with dkh really helps to keep the alk up and balanced out. If you are then dripping kalk to keep your calcium up that should keep you in balance. That is once you get them back up again.

Angie

[PurpleAardvark]

Eric it is bleach level for Alk, copper for cal. Sams brand bleach makes everything in your tank really clean.... LOL

Tyler try the seaChem line of stuff the powder forms really work to boost your levels.

[Dirt4dinner]

Just tested again....I think I have finally found most EFFECTIVE product in Saltwater reef keeping.

This morning I tested my Alk, and it was still 6.4. I added the recommended dosage of Kent Pro-Buffer powder and BAM, I just tested and it's 8.6. That's a tad high, but much better than what it was. Calcium was still a little low, so I dosed another 2 capfuls of Kent Liquid Calcium, should be good in the morning hopefully!

[Reptoreef]

Kent probuffer is 1 part washing soda(baked baking soda) to 5 parts baking soda. Both counter-effect PH fluctuations(washing raises while baking lowers), yet raise alk.

[Whoyah]

Tyler,

I would actually say 8.6 is on the low side. Most folks run between 8-12. I shot for 9.5 to 10. I sounds like you are making progress towards your targets though.

[lReef lKeeper]

yeah Tyler i keep my alk. at 9.5 - 10 also. gives a better balance this way.

[lReef lKeeper]

BTW ... i was gonna recommend the Kent buffer, its what i use and i know a lot of people that swear by it.

[dakar]

Tyler, something else to consider... what salt mix are you using?

[Dirt4dinner]

Tropic Marin Pro.

[lReef lKeeper]

you might want to try Instant Ocean, i love that salt mix. there is another one but i cant remember the name of it. i will find it and let you know. but i have never had a problem with my Instant Ocean, and unless i do, i will never change.

[Dirt4dinner]

From the research that I have done Bobby (and I am sure everyone has an opinion), but Tropic Marin Pro is one of the best, if not THE best salt on the market.

[lReef lKeeper]

thanx for that info Tyler, i might have to look into that. i only like the best for my tank. i only said the post above because i have never heard of the Tropic Marine Pro, but know i have so i will have to check it out.