Low alk how to dose in 3 gallons

[JohnTheFisherman]

My alk is way too low so I got some seachem reef builder and I don’t even have coral yet. If my math is correct I’d have to do an 1/80 of a teaspoon into water. That’s not even a sprinkle. If I just did a small sprinkle into water do any of you think this would mess up or shock my parameters. I don’t know how strong this stuff is and it seems like I have to overdose no matter what.

 

[Fish Fan]

It might help to know what you used for testing your Alk, what the result was, your salt mix, salinity level, and method of testing salinity

 

[JohnTheFisherman]

It might help to know what you used for testing your Alk, what the result was, your salt mix, salinity level, and method of testing salinity

Embarrassing to say it’s 5 DKH using the Red Sea marine testing kit which I hate. I use a refractometer to read my salinity and as of now it’s reading 1.025. I used Instant ocean sea salt. When I mixed it my readings were always fine 1.027 sometimes and I’d fix that. But until yesterday I switched where I get my water. First I bought at a purified water place which claimed they had the whole RODI treatment but I got sus after reading my parameters so I went to my LFS which I trust and I got water from their coral tank. Not sure which salt they’re running in there but I will ask. Next time I think I’ll just buy fresh RODI from them and mix it myself. But this problem was before switching water.

 

[bradreef]

Kalk is a mild method to add all and cal. Maybe try some at night.

 

[JohnTheFisherman]

Kalk is a mild method to add all and cal. Maybe try some at night.

If I picked up an auto top off which I need do you think I can just drop some in there off rip or start by hand first

 

[bradreef]

If I picked up an auto top off which I need do you think I can just drop some in there off rip or start by hand first

Yes, try it first in a diluted amount. Maybe 1/2 tsp per gallon. Full strength is 2 tsp per gallons n.

 

[Fish Fan]

I wouldn't do anything until verifying your testing methods. I'd be willing to bet that your Alk test or your salinity test are incorrect.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My alk is way too low so I got some seachem reef builder and I don’t even have coral yet. If my math is correct I’d have to do an 1/80 of a teaspoon into water. That’s not even a sprinkle. If I just did a small sprinkle into water do any of you think this would mess up or shock my parameters. I don’t know how strong this stuff is and it seems like I have to overdose no matter what.

This is easily solved. If you need 1/80th of a teaspoon, dissolve that teaspoon in 1 L to/di and add 2.5 teaspoons of that solution to the tank. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d advise against doing this correction with kalkwasser. It needs to be added very slowly, like slow dripping. It risks excessive pH.

 

[JohnTheFisherman]

My alk is way too low so I got some seachem reef builder and I don’t even have coral yet. If my math is correct I’d have to do an 1/80 of a teaspoon into water. That’s not even a sprinkle. If I just did a small sprinkle into water do any of you think this would mess up or shock my parameters. I don’t know how strong this stuff is and it seems like I have to overdose no matter what.

This is easily solved. If you need 1/80th of a teaspoon, dissolve that teaspoon in 1 L to/di and add 2.5 teaspoons of that solution to the tank. :)

Sorry just a bit confused do you mean a full teaspoon cause I cannot get an 1/80 of a teaspoon lol.

 

[JohnTheFisherman]

I wouldn't do anything until verifying your testing methods. I'd be willing to bet that your Alk test or your salinity test are incorrect.

Ok I’m almost 100% positive my refractometer is fine. I could be doing something wrong with my alk test so I’ll try it a few times along side a salifert test.

 

[Fish Fan]

Ok I’m almost 100% positive my refractometer is fine. I could be doing something wrong with my alk test so I’ll try it a few times along side a salifert test.

Have you calibrated your refractometer recently? Sometimes store bought calibration fluid can be off. Here's a link to RH-F's article on making your own calibration fluid, it's easy, uses just regular Morton's table salt and a decent kitchen gram scale:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-aquarium-salinity-diy-calibration-standards.956/

 

[Tonycass12]

Why not just do a handful of 1 gal waterchanges. Im a bigger fan of waterchanges vs dosing to keep parameters stable in super small volumes

 

[JohnTheFisherman]

Ok I’m almost 100% positive my refractometer is fine. I could be doing something wrong with my alk test so I’ll try it a few times along side a salifert test.

Have you calibrated your refractometer? Sometimes store bought calibration fluid can be off. Here's a link to RH-F's article on making your own calibration fluid, it's easy, uses just regular Morton's table salt and a decent kitchen gram scale:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-aquarium-salinity-diy-calibration-standards.956/

lol not to that extent I’ll do it now thank you!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Not sure how what I said isn't clear, but here it is again as a way to easily dose 1/80th of a teaspoon of solids to an aquarium.

Step 1:

Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the solid in 1 liter of RO/DI water.

Step 2:

Add 2.5 teaspoons of the solution from step 1 to the aquarium.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why not just do a handful of 1 gal waterchanges. Im a bigger fan of waterchanges vs dosing to keep parameters stable in super small volumes

FWIW, dosing is always less expensive than using water changes to try to maintain alk and calcium. :)

 

[Tonycass12]

FWIW, dosing is always less expensive than using water changes to try to maintain alk and calcium. :)

I understand that but op is working with a 3 gallon tank that as far as I can tell from his post history only has hermits and maybe a couple soft corals. Not really something that should require dosing with weekly or even bi weekly waterchanges.

 

[19Mateo83]

In a 3 gallon I would just do water changes. That’s what I do in my 5 gallon Keep it simple lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I understand that but op is working with a 3 gallon tank that as far as I can tell from his post history only has hermits and maybe a couple soft corals. Not really something that should require dosing with weekly or even bi weekly waterchanges.

Sure. There are many roads to success. :)

 

[Lagoon Reef Keeper]

Water change, or just dose Brightwell Part A (only affects dkh) it’s a liquid and can be dosed down to the 0.1ml. Very easy/safe way to bring all up. Or again, just do a water change (if nutrients allow)