Chemistry is a mess. Please help.

[reefwars]

i dose 40mls of bicarbonate solution in a 40g system that has mostly lps and zoanthids

[LeanneP]

I added the 3 tsps of reef builder and now my dkh has gone from 6.7 to 8.5. I didn't think it was good to raise the alkalinity that quickley. Now my question is how do I keep it there? I was using the reef calculator but I guess it wasn't really giving me the right amount because it said to dose 108 mls to get alk to 8.6. Should I continue dosing and add the reef builder as extra?

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by LeanneP

I added the 3 tsps of reef builder and now my dkh has gone from 6.7 to 8.5. I didn't think it was good to raise the alkalinity that quickley. Now my question is how do I keep it there? I was using the reef calculator but I guess it wasn't really giving me the right amount because it said to dose 108 mls to get alk to 8.6. Should I continue dosing and add the reef builder as extra?

actually the calculator is spot on , 3.3 tbs of dry sodium bicarbonate crystals will raise your from 6.5 to 8.5

generally theres no need to raise your alk that fast but its not necessarily going to cause harm , as i mentioned its a rule of thumb but you can def do more if you needed to

it comes down to what are you entering as your solution or additive if your using the brs calcutor?

[reefwars]

from what i can read c balance is a bicarbonate solution if it helps

this calculator has two little fishies as a product to pick

http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html

[LeanneP]

Originally Posted by reefwars

actually the calculator is spot on , 3.3 tbs of dry sodium bicarbonate crystals will raise your from 6.5 to 8.5

generally theres no need to raise your alk that fast but its not necessarily going to cause harm , as i mentioned its a rule of thumb but you can def do more if you needed to

it comes down to what are you entering as your solution or additive if your using the brs calcutor?

I am not usually using reef builder to dose with. I usually use C-balance. If I dose c-balance and use the 108 mls then if I am dosing 40 mls in 2 and a half days shouldn't I reach 8.6? Or am I totally reading this wrong?

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by LeanneP

I am not usually using reef builder to dose with. I usually use C-balance. If I dose c-balance and use the 108 mls then if I am dosing 40 mls in 2 and a half days shouldn't I reach 8.6? Or am I totally reading this wrong?

Your not raking into account your daily consumption which us prob around 1 dkh, so in two days what you added has been used up making it seem like it not raising

[reefwars]

So first thing tomorrow add 1 spoon and see what it does

this is where a log book comes into play , jot down the alk daily then at the end of a week or two you'll have a solid under standing of what your tank needs daily.

[LeanneP]

Thanks for all your time and advice. I am hoping to get back on track now.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by LeanneP

Thanks for all your time and advice. I am hoping to get back on track now.

Sounds like you have it figured out now. The idea is to test, dose a measured amount, wait an hour, test again. Do that with the C-Balance so you know how much it affects your tank. I haven't used C-Balance in a long time, so I can't remember how much it should affect your tank.

[LeanneP]

Originally Posted by Myka

Sounds like you have it figured out now. The idea is to test, dose a measured amount, wait an hour, test again. Do that with the C-Balance so you know how much it affects your tank. I haven't used C-Balance in a long time, so I can't remember how much it should affect your tank.

Thanks Mindy. That is good advise. I realize now I have been way to cautious at what I have been adding.