Yes I think you're on the right track... just go slow...

Check on dosing an Alk supplement... baking soda or whatever you are using... with Kalk... if my memory is correct I think Calcium Hydroxide and Sodium Bicarbonate will precipitate out of solution when mixed to form Calcium Carbonate just a little too soon for our corals... :biggrin:

I didn't have any luck on finding my answer on the Seachem website in regards to using topoff water with a higher dKH for my kalk. reactor. I sent off an email asking this, so hopefully I'll hear something back.

I know you need to leave at least 30 minutes between dosing alk, and ca, at least according to the bottles. But that being said, it doesn't help me with my question.

I'm thinking I will try to raise the dKH levels in my topoff water over the course of two or so weeks. I need to first figure out how the move to a new environment will affect my tank, e.g. evaporation levels, etc.

The best tactic has always been to leave you tank alone and do a small regular no more then 5% water changes.
the more you try to fix something the more you affect something else.

If I only do water changes and don't address my low dKH, Mg, and Ca levels, aren't I only going to make the problem worse in some areas?

I don't understand how just doing water changes will fix my levels? Can you explain it further?

Catherine I think if you fix the levels in your change water before doing the actual water change it will slowly bring your tank back into balance. That is what I was trying to get at a few posts ago in my own backarseward way. Do some 30 -40% water changes but before you do make sure that all the levels in the change water are where they should be. Let the change water sit with a power head for a couple of days before you use it and test it again before doing your water change to make sure that nothing has percipitated out.

I get what your saying Ruth, and I already plan to do that. :)

My question now is if I can use freshwater with a raised dKH level with my kalk. reactor.

Timw for Bev's Chemistry Links... :biggrin:

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=19425

I've already been through the Chemistry links already, and haven't found the answer yet.