alkalinity

fishyscientist

fishyscientist

Member
I read on another thread that alkalinity can affect xenia and their ability to pulse and form stalks. It was suggested that a new thread be started about the topic of alkalinity!
So what is the best way to raise alkalinity? I've read baking soda, baked baking soda, and products like Seachem's Reef Builder.
What does everyone else use/recommend?
Thanks in advance!
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Baking soda will raise alk.
carbon dioxide, carbonates (alk), and pH are interrealted. Removing carbon dioxide will raise pH with little change in alk. Lowering pH can also lower carbonates.
there is also an interplay between calcium, carbonates, and magnesium. Calcium and carbonates when above a certain value will from calcium carbonate which precipitates. So alk can drop when calcium rises. Google dr holmes-farley diy 2 part. It maintains calcium, alk, and magnesium buy using commonly available materials.
my .02
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I am no expert, so I can't understand a bit of what Beaslbob said. This relates to that doesn't answer the question..

From what people have answered in the past...alkalinity is used up by the coral as it grows, if it isn't stable it effects the PH. The uninformed (like myself) then use PH buffer to try and FIX it. So I don't do that anymore.
By adding a little reef builder (Seachem brand) to my Auto top Off system my alkalinity is stable and so is my PH.
P.S.
My Xenia pulsed and grew through all my alkalinity issues without fail.
 
ajroc31

ajroc31

Member
Don't go running out and getting baking soda and dump into the tank. Test your calcium levels first. If its too high, alk buffers won't really do much positive, but could make some problems. Lots of salt mixes on the market shoot for high calcium levels, which imo are unnecessary, I would prefer higher alk than calcium, since that's what the corals use, calcium carbonate=alk, to grow their skeletons. Try to kock down your calcium to about 400-420 ppm, and then try to raise alk, according to many, at that point you could reach perfect balance of 9-12 alk and 400-420 calcium. If you have lots of corals, your alk with drop, they use it. I use Brightswell salt mix, used Kent and they both have high calcium, which is such a cliche, to have high calcium, since, well its calcium carbonate and not calcium hydroxide that corals use. I am not even sure what the Cal. hydroxide is for, someone please enlighten me.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by ajroc31
http:///forum/post/3278607
I use Brightswell salt mix, used Kent and they both have high calcium, which is such a cliche, to have high calcium, since, well its calcium carbonate and not calcium hydroxide that corals use. I am not even sure what the Cal. hydroxide is for, someone please enlighten me.
Calcium hydroxide is also known as lime and Kalk. When mixed with freshwater it produces Limewater aka kalkwasser. This liquid is 800ppm Calcium and 800ppm Hydroxide.
So what?
Well, when the hydroxide is added (slowly) to saltwater it combines with Carbon dioxide from the water to form Carbonate (and Bicarbonate).
So, when dripping limewater you add Calcium and Carbonate (Alkalinity) in the same ratio that corals use to form Calcium carbonate.
 
ajroc31

ajroc31

Member
Thanks Bang, is that what you use on your tank? My LFS owner always tries me to do kalk, but it seems like alot of work.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Yep. I never had a coral load that exceeded what limewater could provide. A really really dense coral load could also require a calcium reactor but I was always able to maintain what I needed by just dripping limewater.
I didn't use a commercial aquarium grade. As long as you don't use the slurry method Mrs. Wages pickling lime, or agricultural grade lime will work just fine.
 
clown-lover

clown-lover

Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3278641
Yep. I never had a coral load that exceeded what limewater could provide. A really really dense coral load could also require a calcium reactor but I was always able to maintain what I needed by just dripping limewater.
I didn't use a commercial aquarium grade. As long as you don't use the slurry method Mrs. Wages pickling lime, or agricultural grade lime will work just fine.
Where does one find those?
 
clown-lover

clown-lover

Member
And I guess this is as good a place as any to ask about something my LFS has been wanting me to try...
It's called Reef Fusion (2 part system) and it is by Seachem. He says it will help balance and maintain calcium and alkalinity. (though my calcium seems to be fine without dosing).
What are the thoughts on this and has anyone used these?
 
fishyscientist

fishyscientist

Member
This is a good discussion!
The chemistry of the calcium hydroxide and calcium conc. makes sense to me. Incidentally, I tested my water last night with another kit (Salifert which are better!), my alk was 3.2 meq !!! So it's fine. When I last tested my Calcium, it was 400 (ppm??), and I've been doing regular weekly 10% water changes, so I don't think that has changed much, but I will check it tonight. I think my issue with my xenia was a stupid one! I realized last night that the little LR piece that the xenia were on was tipped and the stalks were touching the sand. I don't think they like so much contact. When I flipped the rock over a bit, the xenia started turning more pink and opening up! Hopefully that has solved my problem. BUT, I think this discussion on alkalinity should continue!
 
bmkj02

bmkj02

Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3278641
Yep. I never had a coral load that exceeded what limewater could provide. A really really dense coral load could also require a calcium reactor but I was always able to maintain what I needed by just dripping limewater.
I didn't use a commercial aquarium grade. As long as you don't use the slurry method Mrs. Wages pickling lime, or agricultural grade lime will work just fine.
I have actaully been using the Mrs Wages Pickling lime for several years now. I add 1 teaspoon to every gallon for RO water. Keeps my Calcium and Alk pretty nice. Does turn my water cloudy for an hr or so but fades away. Have to be real careful though cause it can spike your PH through the roof. I made a mistake one day and added 3 gallons at once to my 24g that was dosed with that and PH spiked to 8.9 and killed one of my tangs :( My girlfriend flipped out on me cause it is her tank. Usually for that tank I add one gallon every two days for evaporation. My 125g I put in 5 gallons at a time every two days. Its been keeping my calcium at around 480-500 and alk about 10-11 dkh. Pain to find the Mrs Wages though. I had to order a big box of it. Have to be carefull with it.
 
twood

twood

Member
I use Mrs. Wages as well. I add it to my top off water and have not had any issues so far. But I am no expert, so i don't know if there is a downside to using it. I have found it at Kroger with the canning products. Usually on the baking aisle.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Limewater really should be dripped in over at least 12 hours. If you're adding a gallon all at once you are stressing your animals.
 
twood

twood

Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3279884
Limewater really should be dripped in over at least 12 hours. If you're adding a gallon all at once you are stressing your animals.
I use an ATO system, so only a small amount gets added at a given time.
 
bmkj02

bmkj02

Member
I have never seen them get stressed out for adding gallons at a time as long as you are dosing it correctly. Depends also on the size of tank. I can only do one gallon at a time every 2-3 days which only has one teaspoon of it for the 24g. Any more then yes you will stress them out severly like it did to me that one time. My 125g I add 5 gallons at a time every 2-3 days which only has 5 teaspoons of it. I have noticed that the Tangs are very sensitive of this. I am now in the process of making a DIY calcium reactor (will start the thread soon) to due away with the pickling lime. Not cause I dont like it but want some equipment that will take care of itself without so much hands on.
 
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