Test results for the other parameters...

[Fishguy2727]

I got all my new test kits yesterday and measured everything today. All kits are Tropic Marin except for the Mg which is Red Sea.

The good:
Mg: 1240ppm
PO4: less than 0.01 mg/L
NO3: less than 1.0 mg/L
Ca: 492 mg/L

The bad:
KH: 4 dKH
pH: 8.0

So obviously it is time to focus on KH and hopefully this will fix the pH. I have B-Ionic A and B. Is the easiest thing to just use the alkalinity supplement of the A and B and just not use the Ca? Or should I get a product specifically for alkalinity?

[sheamurai]

I personally would do a specific product, as its a specific issue.

I don't really think it makes a difference tho, that would just be my preference.

[labnjab]

I recently found out low kh is not a problem if your calcium is high. Calcium is harder to uptake with higher KH. A new European trend is to keep you alk in the lower range, between 6-7, and you get much better growth and color.

Until recently my kh was down to 6 for several months and everything in the tank still grew like weeds and looked awesome. I have it up to 10 now because I'm running a calcium reactor, but things are not growing any faster then when it was at 6, except for coraline. That seemed to be the only thing that didn't like the lower kh.

[Fishguy2727]

The problem is it is 4 dKH and the pH is only 8.0. Good to know though.I found some information in an online article about using baking and washing sodas to buffer it back up.

[kaybee]

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and washing soda (sodium carbonate) is what I use in my tanks to keep up with the daily carbonate consumption rate in my tank.

[Fishguy2727]

Where do you get washing soda?

[kaybee]

Actually I convert the sodium bicarbonate into sodium carbonate by baking it in an oven at about 350F for an hour (the process removes the CO2 from the sodiom bicarbonate). I use food-grade sodium bicarbonate (the arm & hammer stuff), rather than buying washing soda.

The current requirements in my 65gal reef call for 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of sodium carbonate daily/near-daily and 0.5 teaspoon of sodium carbonate twice a week (maintains alkalinity at 10-11dkh and ph at about 8.4). I use the sodium carbonate at a lesser interval and quanity because it increases alkalinity and pH and I don't want to drive my pH above 8.4 when trying to replenish the alkalinity. Baking soda will solely address alkalinity increases.