thewire Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 I have a lot of SPS in my 12g nano tank..-upgrading soon but in the meantime, I have pretty low pH - light off pH is around 7.6 and light on is around 8...+ There are plenty of growth in the tank especially SPS but some of my zoas are like melting away shrinking ...(think is alkalinity issue? ) my dKH (i think is 5-6 if I am not mistaken)... Is there a way to dose it? I am thinking dosing it with Kalkwasser and baked baking soda in my ATO. Can I add both in a same jug? if so how much I should add in? 1-2 tsp kalkwasser and 1/2 baking soda in a 1g rodi water? thanks p/s I do weekly water change 1g, and currently has a really low 1/4 tsp of kalkwasser on my ATO Link to comment
MikeTR Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 low alk allows for pH swings. You can buffer it up with some baked baking soda ... however just go to brs or tbaquatics and get their 2 part kit. With SPS you're gonna need to test for & likely need to dose for calcium as well. Link to comment
markandstaci Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 You might precipitate out calcium carbonate if you mix baked baking soda with calcium hydroxide (kalkwasser). Might be better to dose separately. Link to comment
thewire Posted December 30, 2010 Author Share Posted December 30, 2010 Thanks ...I m thinking making CA dose with downflake too...but as for now, I am keeping up with CA on water change... Not sure why dKH drops... dosing separate? I am using ATO with Kalkwasser (just need to up the dose a little)..what is your suggestion on dosing the baked baking soda mix? Link to comment
burtbollinger Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 best thing I ever did was stop testing and thinking about PH at all. I've had success focusing on Alk, Mag, and CA. I have not tested Ph in 5+ years. id recommend you stop the madness...research the Bulk Reef Supply 2-part starter kit, and go from there. Link to comment
markandstaci Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Thanks ...I m thinking making CA dose with downflake too...but as for now, I am keeping up with CA on water change... Not sure why dKH drops... dosing separate? I am using ATO with Kalkwasser (just need to up the dose a little)..what is your suggestion on dosing the baked baking soda mix? Just make a NaCO3 solution and dose it separately... as in not with your ATO water. You will have better control over the amount being dose also. Link to comment
bdare Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 best thing I ever did was stop testing and thinking about PH at all. I've had success focusing on Alk, Mag, and CA. I have not tested Ph in 5+ years. id recommend you stop the madness...research the Bulk Reef Supply 2-part starter kit, and go from there. Sounds crazy, but this is exactly right. If the "Big 3" are in range everything else will follow. Link to comment
Drew220 Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 I have a lot of SPS in my 12g nano tank..-upgrading soon but in the meantime, I have pretty low pH - light off pH is around 7.6 and light on is around 8...+ There are plenty of growth in the tank especially SPS but some of my zoas are like melting away shrinking ...(think is alkalinity issue? ) my dKH (i think is 5-6 if I am not mistaken)... Is there a way to dose it? I am thinking dosing it with Kalkwasser and baked baking soda in my ATO. Can I add both in a same jug? if so how much I should add in? 1-2 tsp kalkwasser and 1/2 baking soda in a 1g rodi water? thanks p/s I do weekly water change 1g, and currently has a really low 1/4 tsp of kalkwasser on my ATO What you are seeing here is a pH swing that is the result of Photosynthesis. What are the nutrient levels in your tank? What brand of salt are you using? Before you do any kind of dosing I would try water changes first. If your using a good salt it should keep your Alk. up there. If the water changes don't work try a 2 part buffer system and just dose the Alk. portion. You don't want to over do it and it's very easy to do so with such a small tank. As the above poster stated please don't chase a specific pH. You will end up doing more harm than good.Get your Alk. in range and don't worry about the pH swings. Link to comment
Dasani Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 +1 to Mike. If you are getting these results right after you are doing your water change, you need to start dosing. I have the BRS 2 part kit. I use recipe 1. It works great. I love it. Link to comment
Lawnman Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 best thing I ever did was stop testing and thinking about PH at all. I've had success focusing on Alk, Mag, and CA. I have not tested Ph in 5+ years. id recommend you stop the madness...research the Bulk Reef Supply 2-part starter kit, and go from there. +1 Big Burt Link to comment
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