Reef Buffer
- Thread starter meowzer
- Start date
bang guy
Moderator
The amount needed is dependent on the consumption ratre of your corals, snails, etc.
1 teaspoon of baking soda will raise the alkalinity of 20 gallons of saltwater 1 Meq/L. But that's not really all that helpful because I don't know the consumption rate of your tank.
You need to chart your alkalinity levels to understand how much you need.
Until then, add a tablespoon of baking soda to every gallon of topoff water. If Alkalinity rises over time then you got it right. If it just stays the same then try 1.5 tablespoons.
1 teaspoon of baking soda will raise the alkalinity of 20 gallons of saltwater 1 Meq/L. But that's not really all that helpful because I don't know the consumption rate of your tank.
You need to chart your alkalinity levels to understand how much you need.
Until then, add a tablespoon of baking soda to every gallon of topoff water. If Alkalinity rises over time then you got it right. If it just stays the same then try 1.5 tablespoons.
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3211229
The amount needed is dependent on the consumption ratre of your corals, snails, etc.
1 teaspoon of baking soda will raise the alkalinity of 20 gallons of saltwater 1 Meq/L. But that's not really all that helpful because I don't know the consumption rate of your tank.
You need to chart your alkalinity levels to understand how much you need.
Until then, add a tablespoon of baking soda to every gallon of topoff water. If Alkalinity rises over time then you got it right. If it just stays the same then try 1.5 tablespoons.
I have an ato system on my 225G
I will start keeping closer tabs on the alk results...
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3211231
I have an ato system on my 225G
I will start keeping closer tabs on the alk results...
Does it have a reservoir? If not, you can still mix the baking soda with RO water and add it.
http:///forum/post/3211231
I have an ato system on my 225G
I will start keeping closer tabs on the alk results...
Does it have a reservoir? If not, you can still mix the baking soda with RO water and add it.
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3211253
Does it have a reservoir? If not, you can still mix the baking soda with RO water and add it.
NO, I have it set up so it comes in directly from the ro/di unit.
I guess I can just add it in a cup
do you think a tablespoon a day would be too much???
http:///forum/post/3211253
Does it have a reservoir? If not, you can still mix the baking soda with RO water and add it.
NO, I have it set up so it comes in directly from the ro/di unit.
I guess I can just add it in a cup
do you think a tablespoon a day would be too much???
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3211257
NO, I have it set up so it comes in directly from the ro/di unit.
I guess I can just add it in a cup
do you think a tablespoon a day would be too much???
No, I don't think that's too much. It's a good starting point IMO. Don't be afraid to add more if it has no effect.
http:///forum/post/3211257
NO, I have it set up so it comes in directly from the ro/di unit.
I guess I can just add it in a cup
do you think a tablespoon a day would be too much???
No, I don't think that's too much. It's a good starting point IMO. Don't be afraid to add more if it has no effect.
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3211273
No, I don't think that's too much. It's a good starting point IMO. Don't be afraid to add more if it has no effect.
OK...THANK YOU very much...Sorry for all the questions, but I just want to be sure.
http:///forum/post/3211273
No, I don't think that's too much. It's a good starting point IMO. Don't be afraid to add more if it has no effect.
OK...THANK YOU very much...Sorry for all the questions, but I just want to be sure.
natclanwy
Active Member
If you use the recipe to mix the baking soda and the baked baking soda in I believe a 6:1 ratio it balances the Ph of the buffer and it doesn't have near the effect on your Ph. I have added as much as 6tsp to my 75g actual gallon system with almost no effect on Ph.
This is by far the best additive calculator I have found:
http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html
This is by far the best additive calculator I have found:
http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/3211414
If you use the recipe to mix the baking soda and the baked baking soda in I believe a 6:1 ratio it balances the Ph of the buffer and it doesn't have near the effect on your Ph. I have added as much as 6tsp to my 75g actual gallon system with almost no effect on Ph.
This is by far the best additive calculator I have found:
http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html
I asked you this in the alk thread
Do you actually "Bake" your baking soda??
http:///forum/post/3211414
If you use the recipe to mix the baking soda and the baked baking soda in I believe a 6:1 ratio it balances the Ph of the buffer and it doesn't have near the effect on your Ph. I have added as much as 6tsp to my 75g actual gallon system with almost no effect on Ph.
This is by far the best additive calculator I have found:
http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html
Do you actually "Bake" your baking soda??
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/3211423
Now we are playing thread tag
I just answered your question on the other thread, yes I do bake my baking soda.
I know I saw that too....thank you so much for all the answers
http:///forum/post/3211423
Now we are playing thread tag
I just answered your question on the other thread, yes I do bake my baking soda.
natclanwy
Active Member
From SeaChems Website:
Reef Buffer™ will also raise carbonate alkalinity; however, it is intended primarily for use as a buffer in a reef system where the maintenance of a pH of 8.3 is often difficult. When pH is not an issue, Reef Builder™ or Reef Carbonate™ should be your first choice for a carbonate alkalinity supplement.
Reef Buffer™ is specifically designed to meet the needs and requirements of the closed reef environment. The principal difference between Reef Buffer™ and Marine Buffer™ is that the pK of Reef Buffer™ is slightly higher than that of Marine Buffer™. The pK of a buffering agent is equivalent to the pH around which that buffer most strongly buffers. One would presume, then, that the pK of a saltwater buffer should be 8.3; however, the multitude of organic acids produced by the inhabitants of a reef system forces pH downward to a much greater degree than in a non-reef, marine system. A buffer with a pK of 8.3 would end up yielding a pH more in the range of 8.0-8.2. Reef Buffer's ™ higher pK (8.6) allows for greater pH stability in a reef system where the bioload is significantly more than in a fish only system
Looks like it is doing exactly what it is supposed to do, if you want to add buffer without increasing your Ph try the recipie that I gave in the post above it works very well and isn't nearly as expensive as using aquarium branded products.
Reef Buffer™ will also raise carbonate alkalinity; however, it is intended primarily for use as a buffer in a reef system where the maintenance of a pH of 8.3 is often difficult. When pH is not an issue, Reef Builder™ or Reef Carbonate™ should be your first choice for a carbonate alkalinity supplement.
Reef Buffer™ is specifically designed to meet the needs and requirements of the closed reef environment. The principal difference between Reef Buffer™ and Marine Buffer™ is that the pK of Reef Buffer™ is slightly higher than that of Marine Buffer™. The pK of a buffering agent is equivalent to the pH around which that buffer most strongly buffers. One would presume, then, that the pK of a saltwater buffer should be 8.3; however, the multitude of organic acids produced by the inhabitants of a reef system forces pH downward to a much greater degree than in a non-reef, marine system. A buffer with a pK of 8.3 would end up yielding a pH more in the range of 8.0-8.2. Reef Buffer's ™ higher pK (8.6) allows for greater pH stability in a reef system where the bioload is significantly more than in a fish only system
Looks like it is doing exactly what it is supposed to do, if you want to add buffer without increasing your Ph try the recipie that I gave in the post above it works very well and isn't nearly as expensive as using aquarium branded products.
reefkprz
Active Member
I was looking at a bottle of that stuff yesterday (the reef buffer) and it does contain borates, it says so right on the bottle. I went out to help a person who is having algae troubles with their tank. here is a quick rundown of some of the parameters. they are relativelty new to the hobby and had been dosing reef buffer to maintain ph.
PH 8.5
calcium 220-- YIKES
KH 16
[hr]
I have never seen KH this high before.I tested 3 times to make sure I didnt screw up
phos .02
NO3 0
unfortunatly they had not been told what parameters to test, or watch and were following the advice of a local pet store to maintain PH.
I spent a couple hours with them, and set up a maintinence schedule, and told them what test kits to buy and top stop dosing the damn buffer.
PH 8.5
calcium 220-- YIKES
KH 16
[hr]
I have never seen KH this high before.I tested 3 times to make sure I didnt screw up
phos .02
NO3 0
unfortunatly they had not been told what parameters to test, or watch and were following the advice of a local pet store to maintain PH.
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3212393
What's your pH at now?
I tested last night with 2 different tests...it is either 8.4 or 8.6
It was 8.2
http:///forum/post/3212393
What's your pH at now?
I tested last night with 2 different tests...it is either 8.4 or 8.6
It was 8.2
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3212313
Anyone.....
If you don't want to affect your PH then use baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate).
Sodium carbonate (baked baking soda) has had the Carbon dioxide removed by applying heat. So, when you ass Sodium carbonate is immediately pulls some of the Carbon dioxide out of the water and this is what raises the PH. Of course, the Carbon dioxide will eventually return and the PH will drop back down.
http:///forum/post/3212313
Anyone.....
If you don't want to affect your PH then use baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate).
Sodium carbonate (baked baking soda) has had the Carbon dioxide removed by applying heat. So, when you ass Sodium carbonate is immediately pulls some of the Carbon dioxide out of the water and this is what raises the PH. Of course, the Carbon dioxide will eventually return and the PH will drop back down.
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3212513
If you don't want to affect your PH then use baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate).
Sodium carbonate (baked baking soda) has had the Carbon dioxide remove by applying heat. So, when you ass Sodium carbonate is immediately pulls some of the Carbon dioxide out of the water and this is what raises the PH. Of course, the Carbon dioxide will eventually return and the PH will drop back down.
I'm going to buy some new Baking soda today. I already had the reef buffer at home, and I thought it was not supposed to raise p.h. over 8.3
http:///forum/post/3212513
If you don't want to affect your PH then use baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate).
Sodium carbonate (baked baking soda) has had the Carbon dioxide remove by applying heat. So, when you ass Sodium carbonate is immediately pulls some of the Carbon dioxide out of the water and this is what raises the PH. Of course, the Carbon dioxide will eventually return and the PH will drop back down.
I'm going to buy some new Baking soda today. I already had the reef buffer at home, and I thought it was not supposed to raise p.h. over 8.3
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3212516
I'm going to buy some new Baking soda today. I already had the reef buffer at home, and I thought it was not supposed to raise p.h. over 8.3
Over a period of 24 hours it doesn't matter which form of Carbonate you add because there is a natural ratio of Carbonate vs Bicarbonate that will eventually be achieved.
There are too many variables in saltwater for any company to make the claim of exactly PH 8.3.
http:///forum/post/3212516
I'm going to buy some new Baking soda today. I already had the reef buffer at home, and I thought it was not supposed to raise p.h. over 8.3
Over a period of 24 hours it doesn't matter which form of Carbonate you add because there is a natural ratio of Carbonate vs Bicarbonate that will eventually be achieved.
There are too many variables in saltwater for any company to make the claim of exactly PH 8.3.