low alkalinity

[makana]

I was aware that calcium and alk go hand in hand. From what I have read my calcium seems in the normal range but I read many posts that said in an aquarium alk should never go lower than 8 so I was a little concerned.

I also read that low alk is caused by CO2 wich can be caused by poor water flow and the tank cycle so thats why I thought it might sort itself out.

But seeing as how there is nothing in my tank other than live rock, algea, and snails, what would be bringing down my alk? Or is this just the level of alk that my salt mix produces?

Should I be concerned down the road? If my alk is at the bottom of the scale with no coral will I be having problems when it comes time to add them?

Thanks for the help!

[whatcaneyedo]

Here is a link that will teach you everything you need to know about alkalinity. In the referances at the bottom of the page there is more information to give you an even better understanding.

CHEMISTRY AND THE AQUARIUM by RANDY HOLMES-FARLEY
Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

I find this to be extremely helpful for adjusting my alkalinity as well as calcium and magnesium.

Reef Chemistry Calculator
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

[Delphinus]

Sorry, I realize you probably knew that bit about Ca and Alk being coupled but I just sort of had to include those comments so that the rest of what I was saying would make sense. In general I would say that 8 is indeed better than 7 but I don't think 7 is too low in and of itself. I wouldn't want it any lower, so it's better to shoot for 8 if you're going to to track it.

Most likely this is indeed where your salt is mixing. There may be a slight draw already but its not huge.

I wouldn't say you need to be "concerned" down the road but ultimately keeping track of Ca and Alk is something you do want to put a little attention on. Finding your own comfort zone is key. For me what works is 2-part dosing (I dose Ca in the morning, Alk at night) and then testing once per week to see if I'm adding back at roughly the same rate they are being used up. As corals grow (and clams, and so on), or as you add corals, the rate Ca and Alk are consumed goes up, and thus you have to add more as time goes on. But you don't have to follow this example. Some people just dose weekly. Some people don't dose at all, but my advice is that Ca and Alk are things you do want to dose and test for on a regular basis since relying on your salt mix to make up for it isn't really the best practice - it just can't follow the dynamics of consumption and growth as well as you can.

[makana]

Thanks for all the help! I think I might try and raise it a bit. I'd rather learn how to control the chemistry now rather than after I add livestock.

[don.ald]

[quote=Delphinus;370882]Sorry, I realize you probably knew that bit about Ca and Alk being coupled but I just sort of had to include those comments so that the rest of what I was saying would make sense. In general I would say that 8 is indeed better than 7 but I don't think 7 is too low in and of itself. I wouldn't want it any lower, so it's better to shoot for 8 if you're going to to track it.

Most likely this is indeed where your salt is mixing. There may be a slight draw already but its not huge.

I wouldn't say you need to be "concerned" down the road but ultimately keeping track of Ca and Alk is something you do want to put a little attention on. Finding your own comfort zone is key. For me what works is 2-part dosing (I dose Ca in the morning, Alk at night) and then testing once per week to see if I'm adding back at roughly the same rate they are being used up. As corals grow (and clams, and so on), or as you add corals, the rate Ca and Alk are consumed goes up, and thus you have to add more as time goes on. But you don't have to follow this example. Some people just dose weekly. Some people don't dose at all, but my advice is that Ca and Alk are things you do want to dose and test for on a regular basis since relying on your salt mix to make up for it isn't really the best practice - it just can't follow the dynamics of consumption and growth as well as you can. [/QUOTE

can you explain your dosing process? i.e. manual or mechanically?
thanks

[reefermadness]

I think getting used to adjusting and dosing your chemistry now is a good idea. Also you want balanced calcium and alkalinity. I think 420ppm is balanced with 8dkh....I think those would be good numbers to strive for IME.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by don.ald

can you explain your dosing process? i.e. manual or mechanically?
thanks

I don't do anything automated as yet but was thinking of ordering some peristaltic pumps in the new year to automate the process. Having said that, Aqualifter pumps (sort of like an air pump but for water) are dirt cheap ($10) and probably would do the trick just fine.

I use Seachem "Reef Advantage" for Ca and "Reef Builder" for Alk. The instructions call for dissolving in tank water first, I don't even bother. I have some measuring spoons from a kitchen store (eg. 2.5ml, 5ml, 15ml, etc.) that I use to measure out what I need and I dump it in a high flow area of my sump. The important thing with dosing 2-parters is that you don't add them at the same time (they react with each other) so I do one in the morning before I leave for work and another in the evening after I'm done feeding the fish and so on.

You can use other 2-parter brands though, or you can even order the stuff in bulk. You can make your own alk additive using baking soda and washing soda too if you're inclined. No real hard and fast rules here.

[don.ald]

tanks for the dosing info...where do you pick-up the $10 pumps?

[Delphinus]

I picked up mine off someone on the board selling theirs, they come up from time to time. If you google on "aqualifter" you can find a few mail-order places but there may be a store in town. The only Canadian online vendor I could find listing them is Big Als - http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/...aqualifterpump

bulkreefsupply.com (one of the sponsors here) also has an economical peristaltic pump, think they call it the "Drew's Doser".

[Sebae again]

OA and Jand L carry the Aqualifter pumps in B.C.