Quick and hopefully easy question: my alk (and likely) calc levels are very low due to an extended period of time without water changes (which is my main source of alk and calc replacement ... pico tank). I need to get back on the water change train, but I don't want to shock my corals with a dramatic alk swing.
How dramatic? I tested it a couple days ago around 4.5 dKH, and the smallest water change I can do right now is ~40% ... the tank has only got about 5g of water volume, 2g is the minimum change (I need enough water to cover my heater etc), but maybe I can swing less if it's absolutely necessary.
My plan is to slowly dose sodium carbonate over the course of a few days to get the alk back up, then perform my normal 2g water change. Once done, I'll begin using kalk in my ato to prevent this problem in the future. So, the question is: is my plan safe?
How dramatic? I tested it a couple days ago around 4.5 dKH, and the smallest water change I can do right now is ~40% ... the tank has only got about 5g of water volume, 2g is the minimum change (I need enough water to cover my heater etc), but maybe I can swing less if it's absolutely necessary.
My plan is to slowly dose sodium carbonate over the course of a few days to get the alk back up, then perform my normal 2g water change. Once done, I'll begin using kalk in my ato to prevent this problem in the future. So, the question is: is my plan safe?
