Is there any additive you suggest that boost ph like kalkwasser, but that does not require the volume of kalkwasser to be added to the tank? I run a 25g nano, and allready have the ato container. Don’t really fancy another container, and a dosing pump running that stuff al the time.pH is a balance between CO2 and alkalinity. Calcium plays no direct role.
if you know any two of alk, pH or CO2 in the water, you can calculate the third.
AFR, like bicarbonate, gives a small tendency to add CO2, lowering pH a tiny bit.
Using carbonate as an alk source raises pH because it consumes CO2 when added.
Using hydroxide (as in kalkwasser) has an even bigger pH boost, consuming about twice as much CO2 when added.
But all of these effects are temporary until the tank pulls in or releases CO2 to the air.