ro water alk problem

[renogaw]

my alk in my ro make up water tub is the lowest the salifert test kit can read (one drop turned it pink, so 3?). I've been having issues getting my alk in my tank over 8, is this most likely my problem? if so can i fix it?

 

[andy51632]

Ro water should not have any alk. When you add your salt it will add all the stuff you need. What is your alk in your tank at?

 

[renogaw]

struggling to keep it around 8, and can't get it higher.

 

[sly]

How long has it been since you did a water change? What chemicals do you add to your tank? What is your pH, calcium and magnesium level (if you know them). Saltwater must maintain a carefull chemical balance. If you add one suppliment you can throw off something else.

 

[renogaw]

weekly water changes were suggested and i've been doing them every monday or tuesday night for the past 4 weeks.
my ph is generally 8.0 in the morning with no lights, 8.2 with the lights on at the end of the day.
magnesium is generally around 1300.
my alk in my make up water (in the tote in the basement) has been tested at 12dkh, and calcium at 400. 2 hrs after water change, my calcium goes down to 320 and alk to usually 7.4-7.8.
the only thing i've been using is b-ionic which generally has received great reviews here, other boards, and at 2 lfs, but even overdosing (just realized it yesterday) i am still not getting over 8 dkh or 380 calc.

 

[moneyman]

Get Kent Turbo Calcium (dry pellets) and some baking soda. The B-Ionic solution is too diluted to raise calcium/alkalinity unless you want to dose 4 oz per day for a 75 gallon tank.