Alkalinity

[TylerMoralez]

Newbie question...

What is alkalinity and how do I test / treat it? How important is it?

I see a lot of talking about alkalinity and I can't figure it out. Is it the same as salinity?

 

[twilliard]

Here is the information
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

 

[Diesel]

Newbie question...

What is alkalinity and how do I test / treat it? How important is it?

I see a lot of talking about alkalinity and I can't figure it out. Is it the same as salinity?

Good question my friend.
@twilliard already provided you from the right info to help you out.
Any more question please let us know.

 

[TylerMoralez]

Here is the information
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

I read the part of the article on alkalinity, but I don't understand why you would want to lower the pH to 4.5?

Do you know of any good tests for alkalinity? And any good supplements for alkalinity? He noted baking soda, how would I go about measuring it? And would it just be straight from the package?

 

[leemosh]

You would never lower the pH to 4.5, that's just what a scientist would do when trying to measure it precisely. The rest of us use a test kit from the store that has an indicator that will change colour and you basically count the drops until the colour changes and that tells you how much alkalinity there is. You can use baking soda, or buy carbonate additives to add.

 

[smh254]

Good test kits salifert, Hanna, redsea

 

[midtnmike41]

I found the easiest way to monitor and control it for my tank is to test with Hanna alk checker and dose BRS 2 part. I could probably get away with kalk but 2 part was just easier for me. First thing you need to do is see where your Calc and alk are. I keep mine about 420 calc and 8.5 alk. Get them to where you want and then start checking for alk every day at the same time to see how much alk your tank is consuming. At that point you can determine what you best solution is (water changes, kalk, 2 part, or calcium reactor , in order of complexity). It took me a while to figure out doing water changes was messing up my parameters. I was using a salt very low in calcium. After I switch to a salt closer to where I wanted my tank 2 part has held my tank very consistent.

 

[TylerMoralez]

Thank you all so much!! I think I'm going to look for the Hanna tester and see what supplement my LFS has

 

[midtnmike41]

Sounds like a solid plan. Salifert makes a great Alk test kit as well, but I use the Hanna because it's quick and easy.

 

[TylerMoralez]

Sounds like a solid plan. Salifert makes a great Alk test kit as well, but I use the Hanna because it's quick and easy.

I've always wanted to try the Hanna. Didn't even think about looking for it in Alkalinity.

 

[midtnmike41]

Hanna is the way to go for Alk and phosphates. I use Salifert for calc, mag, and nitrate. Apex probes for salinity and ph. I test Alk, P04, and nitrate weekly, and mag monthly. If i keep up with my bi weekly water changes I usually don't have to adjust mag, or very little if so.