Reef Discussion

[megsez]

Hey every one,

Just wondering if any one knows if KH can be buffered? I struggle to maintain a level of of 125ppm let alone the reomended 140-200ppm. Calcium and PH are fine and rarely have to adjust PH. Calcium is at 520ppm and dose every 2-3 days to maintain. I dose Seachem reef builder every two days just to keep the level I do to maintain KH

I do have a few softies and LSP corals and they are growing at a steady pace as far as I can tell. Could they just be using it that quick?

 

[brendore]

Your main problem IMO is your high calcium levels. Recommended levels are between 400-450ppm. Over 500ppm you will find the water starts to get super saturated with calcium and no longer takes calcium up, which unstabalises your Kh levels. Try reducing your Ca levels to between 400-450ppm and see if you get a better result.

 

[macca_75]

Also check your Mag. It effects your ability to add Alk and Ca (low Mag = harder to add/maintane KH and Ca)

 

[josh]

yep yep what they said :p ^^^

 

[megsez]

Cool,

will reduce Ca and see how it goes. Dont have a Mag test kit as funds have not allowed yet. Will see how reduction goes first then look at testing Mag.

Thanks for the quick replies

 

[slin1977]

yes, the answer is found in the maintenace of mag.
mag should be kept between 1200 and 1280

 

[megsez]

Will ask LFS if they can test for it first to make sure its a prob before buying a kit

 

[TJReid]

dkh and calc are close related to maintain both at the correct levels, someone else may be able to explain it more in depth but I'd continue to dose in .5 increments and let the calcium lower, or do water changes to try get it to the correct levels then start from there..

btw I believe its bi carb soda I use to dose, although I did buy a big box of it quite some time ago and dumped it into a seal-able container to store it so maybe double check on that one.

 

[megsez]

Hey TJReid

I have bean slowly lowering CA and raising KH and am going to test this weekend and see how it is.Have not bean to LFS yet to test MAG

 

[Meller]

As others have said before. This will be related to your high CA and a low MG reading.
For what its worth, Natural salt water generally has basic levels of:
CA 400-420, ALK 128-135 (6.7-7.4dKh), MG 1260-1320, and Patassium/ k+ ~380ppm.
Apart from extending manual dosing intervals, ive never really understood why people try and keep their levels higher than natural..... and before ppl say "for faster growth"...bah humbug!

I havent seen if this has been mentioned elsewhere on this site yet....

But for chemical dosing, simple home made buffers can be made using everyday ingredients. (damp-rid, Bicarbonate soda, Epson Salts)
Randy Holmes-Farley cam up with a universally accepted method and there are numerous articles about it on the internet.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/4/chemistry

For calculating additions i find this handy: http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

Also, do some reading on the links on this page ;) http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html

Hope this helps :)

 

[megsez]

Cheers Meller I have wanted to look in to making my own chemicals for dosing but it is very cheap to buy Seachem additives from Guppys. So I have just done so. Less chance of me getting it wrong and it ready to go. Mabby when I get a MAG kit it will be worth wile.

 

[Meller]

I think its pretty worthwhile anyway... you'll be suprised how much cheaper it really is. If your not sure about getting the stuff from the supermarket, then have a chat to Pete at 100% reef safe. http://www.100percentreefsafe.com.au/

You wont every meet a nicer bloke, and one of the best reefers in Aus. He can not only explain the chemistry but sell you the products too :)
1kg of each supplement will make enough CA, ALK and MG buffers for about a year, all for about $10.... :) :D

 

[megsez]

Wow it will work out a lot cheaper. will investigate sooner

 

[DavidS]

There is information on Randy's Recipe in our Wiki - http://www.thereefuge.com.au/board/wiki/main-calci-alka-and-magne/

 

[thepubenator]

CA 400-420, ALK 128-135 (6.7-7.4dKh),

your ratios are incorrect. 125ppm = 7DKH with a ratio of 17.857...

 

[Meller]

your ratios are incorrect. 125ppm = 7DKH with a ratio of 17.857...

your right, my bad :-o sorry ;)