I have Alkalinity problem

[TAC]

I need to raise alkalinity to 8.3/8.2 at least. I did %20 water change and its still 7.2. I was trying to mix half gallon saltwater with 5 grams of reef buffer with wave maker. But its not getting mixed. 3 corals already died. Any suggestions

 

[saltyfins]

I need to raise alkalinity to 8.3/8.2 at least. I did %20 water change and its still 7.2. I was trying to mix half gallon saltwater with 5 grams of reef buffer with wave maker. But its not getting mixed. 3 corals already died. Any suggestions

that's not that low. the ocean is like 7. my biocube, with lps, softies and acro...no joke, is 4.4!! I am doing everything I can to raise that and I'm getting nowhere...everything's happy though. do NOT raise it too fast. if you have a sump....put a cup of your dry salt in there. then set the jar in the sump. it's simple, and slow! when your alk gets where you want it, pull the jar out. there's no risk, and it's easy. that's what I do with my 300, and it's NEVER failed me.

 

[saltyfins]

that's not that low. the ocean is like 7. my biocube, with lps, softies and acro...no joke, is 4.4!! I am doing everything I can to raise that and I'm getting nowhere...everything's happy though. do NOT raise it too fast. if you have a sump....put a cup of your dry salt in there. then set the jar in the sump. it's simple, and slow! when your alk gets where you want it, pull the jar out. there's no risk, and it's easy. that's what I do with my 300, and it's NEVER failed me.

edit: do NOT PUT A CUP OF SALT IN THERE.... put it in a cup or jar, and set that in the sump.

 

[TAC]

that's not that low. the ocean is like 7. my biocube, with lps, softies and acro...no joke, is 4.4!! I am doing everything I can to raise that and I'm getting nowhere...everything's happy though. do NOT raise it too fast. if you have a sump....put a cup of your dry salt in there. then set the jar in the sump. it's simple, and slow! when your alk gets where you want it, pull the jar out. there's no risk, and it's easy. that's what I do with my 300, and it's NEVER failed me.

I do have 25g aio. Unfortunately no sump

 

[saltyfins]

I do have 25g aio. Unfortunately no sump

what do you dose alk with? Like, I use ATI essentials on my cubes...but BRS on my 300....most ALL dosing has a chart, of how much to dose, to raise. have you looked at that?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just use a little baking soda if you want to boost the alkalinity.

 

[TAC]

what do you dose alk with? Like, I use ATI essentials on my cubes...but BRS on my 300....most ALL dosing has a chart, of how much to dose, to raise. have you looked at that?

LaMotte 3585​

 

[saltyfins]

LaMotte 3585​

never heard of it.

 

[TAC]

never heard of it.

Its a WaterLink Spin Touch. Tank shops have them usually

 

[saltyfins]

Its a WaterLink Spin Touch. Tank shops have them usually

the fluid...what fluid do you use?

 

[bubbgee]

Just use a little baking soda if you want to boost the alkalinity.

This is the correct answer. I have a box ready to go for a half-teaspoon when I dip too low.

 

[saltyfins]

This is the correct answer. I have a box ready to go for a half-teaspoon when I dip too low.

works great, but a bit at a time!!

 

[TAC]

the fluid...what fluid do you use?

wait what fluid. Who said fluid

This is the correct answer. I have a box ready to go for a half-teaspoon when I dip too low.

And do I need to prepare or just drop required amount to tank directly

 

[bubbgee]

I need to raise alkalinity to 8.3/8.2 at least. I did %20 water change and its still 7.2. I was trying to mix half gallon saltwater with 5 grams of reef buffer with wave maker. But its not getting mixed. 3 corals already died. Any suggestions

What are you testing with and with what salt did you replace the water with? You need something like reef crystals with high alk to compensate. If you are using low alk salt, it will not move up after water change.

 

[bubbgee]

wait what fluid. Who said fluid

And do I need to prepare or just drop required amount to tank directly

Mix with tank water, slowly add throughout the day since you don't have a sump.

 

[TAC]

What are you testing with and with what salt did you replace the water with? You need something like reef crystals with high alk to compensate. If you are using low alk salt, it will not move up after water change.

I got mixed water from shop. To make sure I dont mess up

 

[TAC]

Mix with tank water, slowly add throughout the day since you don't have a sump.

So shouldnt I use reef buffer ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Use this calculator to determine how much you need, dissolve baking soda in some pure fresh water, and add it to a high flow area. Split it over a few days.

https://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So shouldnt I use reef buffer ?

No, use baking soda.

 

[TAC]

No, use baking soda.

Thanks