Bang Guy, or other chemistry people
- Thread starter devilboy
- Start date
pontius
Active Member
when I first set up my tank, I put in this 'reef buffer' made by Kent one time. I have never had a problem with hardness, don't know if the buffer had anything to do with it or not.
what kind of salt do you use and do you add anything else to your tank?
also, I'd highly recommend dosing Kalkwasser as instructed on the bottle. it should help your calcium problem.
what kind of salt do you use and do you add anything else to your tank?
also, I'd highly recommend dosing Kalkwasser as instructed on the bottle. it should help your calcium problem.
fishieness
Active Member
depending on your tank, you may just need a different salt mix.
sawsman
Member
Just a thought... but have you thought of another test kit just to make sure of your levels? you could then compare readings. Its not like you would be out anything as you can always need test kits anyway.
How about testing your replacement water before making water changes? Are your levels still low? If so, you can then consider changing to a different salt brand.
Just my 2 cents. -sawsman
How about testing your replacement water before making water changes? Are your levels still low? If so, you can then consider changing to a different salt brand.
Just my 2 cents. -sawsman
devilboy
Member
well lets see if i can answer all the questions here....
1. what kind of salt do you use and do you add anything else to your tank?
i use oceanic, i does kent marine superbuffer dKH, kent marine liquid calcium and salifert all in one.
2. Just a thought... but have you thought of another test kit just to make sure of your levels?
this is something i have not thought about, but i do use all Salifert test kits, and i have been told they are the best in the hobby.
3. How about testing your replacement water before making water changes? Are your levels still low?
yes i test my w/c water. no, the levels are not low.
pH 8.3
CA 460ppm
dKH 10.2
those are the readings after mixing my w/c water with Oceanic
so what could be making them levels drop in my main tank down to like CA 350ppm and dKH 7.8 - 8.0? it has to be some type of chemistry problem or buffering problem.
but i was using natures ocean real ocean water for along time, and i felt my levels were low from using the boxed ocean water. so i just changed recently to oceanic but i have yet to see a difference.
1. what kind of salt do you use and do you add anything else to your tank?
i use oceanic, i does kent marine superbuffer dKH, kent marine liquid calcium and salifert all in one.
2. Just a thought... but have you thought of another test kit just to make sure of your levels?
this is something i have not thought about, but i do use all Salifert test kits, and i have been told they are the best in the hobby.
3. How about testing your replacement water before making water changes? Are your levels still low?
yes i test my w/c water. no, the levels are not low.
pH 8.3
CA 460ppm
dKH 10.2
those are the readings after mixing my w/c water with Oceanic
so what could be making them levels drop in my main tank down to like CA 350ppm and dKH 7.8 - 8.0? it has to be some type of chemistry problem or buffering problem.
but i was using natures ocean real ocean water for along time, and i felt my levels were low from using the boxed ocean water. so i just changed recently to oceanic but i have yet to see a difference.
sawsman
Member
How often do you do water changes?
Do a 25% water change. mix replacement water to a specific gravity of 1.025-1.026. Your replacement water is testing fine for alk & calc. Test 24hrs after making water change and see what readings you get.
You might want to then try the B-ionic two part buffer to get to desired levels.
It might not hurt to try this different brand, works great for me.
-sawsman
Do a 25% water change. mix replacement water to a specific gravity of 1.025-1.026. Your replacement water is testing fine for alk & calc. Test 24hrs after making water change and see what readings you get.
You might want to then try the B-ionic two part buffer to get to desired levels.
It might not hurt to try this different brand, works great for me.
-sawsman
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by DevilBoy
could someone tell me exactly what kalkwasser does? and what it affects? and what it wont affect?
Thanks
Limewater adds Calcium and Hydroxide to the tank IF it is added very gradually. As the Hydroxide enters saltwater it will combine with CO2 and form Bicarbonate. The slow removal of CO2 will raise your PH slightly. If there isn't enough CO2 it may start to form Carbonate instead and will probably precipitate and spike your PH. This is why it needs to be dripped in, so that the CO2 supply isn't ehausted.
How are you measuring Specific Gravity. If it's a swing-arm hydrometer have you tested it for accuracy?
The reason I ask is that low salinity means the water can't hold as much Calcium.
The best way to raise salinity is to do topoffs with saltwater.
could someone tell me exactly what kalkwasser does? and what it affects? and what it wont affect?
Thanks
Limewater adds Calcium and Hydroxide to the tank IF it is added very gradually. As the Hydroxide enters saltwater it will combine with CO2 and form Bicarbonate. The slow removal of CO2 will raise your PH slightly. If there isn't enough CO2 it may start to form Carbonate instead and will probably precipitate and spike your PH. This is why it needs to be dripped in, so that the CO2 supply isn't ehausted.
How are you measuring Specific Gravity. If it's a swing-arm hydrometer have you tested it for accuracy?
The reason I ask is that low salinity means the water can't hold as much Calcium.
The best way to raise salinity is to do topoffs with saltwater.
devilboy
Member
yea i know corallife makes a small digi thermometer, i will probably pick one up.
Bang Guy,
how do i know if i have enough CO2? maybe that is my problem all along i dont have enough.
if start dripping kalkwasser would the plastic doser made by kent marine be ok? it comes with IV tubing and all that.
Bang Guy,
how do i know if i have enough CO2? maybe that is my problem all along i dont have enough.
if start dripping kalkwasser would the plastic doser made by kent marine be ok? it comes with IV tubing and all that.