15 Alk too high?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I was only trying to figure out where that agitation on the water surface lowering alk came from, I assumed something like that was the inspiration for that. I know it to be mythology

I can think of two reasons someone might believe that.

A while back, Albert Thiel claimed adding CO2 lowered alk and actually advised folks to add soda water to lower alk if it was high. He clearly misunderstood the CO2/alk relationship, and others may have gotten the idea from him, or they both got it from the same place. I think this bad advice is still lurking on the internet.

Some folks confuse alkalinity and alkaline. Agitation can impact pH (acid/alkaline balance) and someone may have misunderstood what alkalinity actually is.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

KH - The Free Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Encyclopedia Anyone Can Edit - The Aquarium Wiki

www.theaquariumwiki.com

Not sure what you are trying to say here, but if you were trying to say that surface agitation is bad or has some effect on ALK, see the post from the expert.

 

[GpixL_]

Ok. Got the RODI machine and drained the tank. There is a little water left at the bottom that I cannot take out but thats ok right? I started making water so we will see how it goes. Thanks everyone!

 

[Jon's Reef]

A small amount is fine. It will just get diluted.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Got a picture of what your doing?
are you mixing salt in the tank after its full?
Do you have rock and sand in it?

My advice on filling things with r.o.

its easy to get distracted, I've flooded places. Do yourself a favor and set a timer. When I do small 5g buckets it takes me about 20m so I set a 15m timer, or watch it but trust me it happens the last time I did, it was bad.

 

[GpixL_]

Got a picture of what your doing?
are you mixing salt in the tank after its full?
Do you have rock and sand in it?

My advice on filling things with r.o.

its easy to get distracted, I've flooded places. Do yourself a favor and set a timer. When I do small 5g buckets it takes me about 20m so I set a 15m timer, or watch it but trust me it happens the last time I did, it was bad.

Not home so don’t have a pic but yes I’m putting timers. I’m gonna mix salt into the tank. I can probably take out the rocks but there will be sand in there. Any advice on how to do that?

 

[homer1475]

I would assume you have powerheads?

Just dump the salt in slowly over the top of a powerhead.

 

[GpixL_]

I would assume you have powerheads?

Just dump the salt in slowly over the top of a powerhead.

Yeah of course. Ok and it’s fine with the sand right?

 

[homer1475]

Yes it will be fine. just go slowly, you don't want to dump it in so it clumps up in the sand. But even then, it will eventually mix in.

 

[GpixL_]

Yes it will be fine. just go slowly, you don't want to dump it in so it clumps up in the sand. But even then, it will eventually mix in.

Ok. Should I get another bacteria in a bottle? If so which do you recommend? Ammonia too.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Not home so don’t have a pic but yes I’m putting timers. I’m gonna mix salt into the tank. I can probably take out the rocks but there will be sand in there. Any advice on how to do that?

Yeah I wouldn't mix it in the tank, i would mix it in 5g buckets @ the tank mix to correct salinity and temperature then add it to the tank.

 

[GpixL_]

Yeah I wouldn't mix it in the tank, i would mix it in 5g buckets @ the tank mix to correct salinity and temperature then add it to the tank.

It would be more accurate in the tank

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

It would be more accurate in the tank

More accurate? the amount of water? Im not sure what you mean.. Make more than you need, then make a batch of top off water for the week.you put a powerhead and heater in the bucket, the salt must be mixed well, it makes it more difficult when there are rocks and sand in the way.

Be careful, it sounds like you are also letting it fill up while your not home, im assuming you dont have any fail-safes in place, this is also extremely dangerous and possibly problematic.

I have experience with this, I have flooded several places before, even after telling myself I'd never do it again.

 

[GpixL_]

More accurate? the amount of water? Im not sure what you mean.. Make more than you need, then make a batch of top off water for the week.you put a powerhead and heater in the bucket, the salt must be mixed well, it makes it more difficult when there are rocks and sand in the way.

Be careful, it sounds like you are also letting it fill up while your not home, im assuming you dont have any fail-safes in place, this is also extremely dangerous and possibly problematic.

I have experience with this, I have flooded several places before, even after telling myself I'd never do it again.

It is not filling up when i’m not home. I’m putting it in buckets and I stopped it. I’m taking out the rocks to fill up the tank and mix the salt in the tank. I only have 1 buckets that I am filling up and then will dump in tank.

 

[GpixL_]

It is not filling up when i’m not home. I’m putting it in buckets and I stopped it. I’m taking out the rocks to fill up the tank and mix the salt in the tank. I only have 1 buckets that I am filling up and then will dump in tank.

More accurate salt amounts.

 

[GpixL_]

Yes it will be fine. just go slowly, you don't want to dump it in so it clumps up in the sand. But even then, it will eventually mix in.

Btw for top offs, do I put saltwater or freshwater? I’m asking because I think I read somewhere that when the water evaporates, the salt is left behind. And their point was to add freshwater.

 

[RedReefer]

Btw for top offs, do I put saltwater or freshwater? I’m asking because I think I read somewhere that when the water evaporates, the salt is left behind. And their point was to add freshwater.

Top off with fresh...

 

[GpixL_]

Top off with fresh...

Thats what I thought thanks

 

[GpixL_]

Yes it will be fine. just go slowly, you don't want to dump it in so it clumps up in the sand. But even then, it will eventually mix in.

Btw tested the salinity tester with RODI water and it came "calibrated" as it shows 0 when its on there. So it should work right?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Btw tested the salinity tester with RODI water and it came "calibrated" as it shows 0 when its on there. So it should work right?

What device? Many refractometers are not appropriately calibrated with pure fresh water, despite claims to the contrary, since they are not actually made for seawater.