New Dosing Regime Ideas

[kartrsu]

I was wondering if I could get some advice on dosing with the goal of raising PH, which ranges from 7.9-8.2 for me. CO2 scrubber or outside air intake is no go for me.

I am doing BRS balling hybrid with soda ash, calcium chloride, and TM part C (2x concentration). I also add A and K elements and correct deficiencies with ICPs per moonshiners, thought being I’d offer some base level supplementation so the corrections are less drastic. I dose equal amounts of all solutions from 1 gallon jugs which makes life easy.

Originally I was thinking about lowering the 2 part dosing and supplementing with Kalk. Then I came across using sodium hydroxide instead of soda ash. So two questions.

1) is sodium hydroxide safe to keep in plastic jugs and will it corrode typical silicon tubing or clog with precipitate?

2) would I still dose equal parts of 2 part if I was using sodium hydroxide instead of soda ash and is sodium hydroxide compatible with TM A elements?

Thanks so much!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The sodium hydroxide recipe of mine exactly matches the carbonate recipe of mine, which is what BRS uses. The increase in pH may increase demand so you may need to dose more, but start at the same dose.

Polyethylene and polypropylene containers fine with sodium hydroxide, though be careful the heat of dissolving does not melt them. Miami has some guidelines for that below.

True silicone tubing should be ok, as will ro tubing.

How I Mix Sodium Hydroxide

This is my updated method for mixing sodium hydroxide. If you're curious, you can check out my original tutorial here. A lot has changed since then, and this version reflects what I currently do. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as lye, is a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[kartrsu]

The sodium hydroxide recipe of mine exactly matches the carbonate recipe of mine, which is what BRS uses. The increase in pH may increase demand so you may need to dose more, but start at the same dose.

Polyethylene and polypropylene containers fine with sodium hydroxide, though be careful the heat of dissolving does not melt them. Miami has some guidelines for that below.

True silicone tubing should be ok, as will ro tubing.

How I Mix Sodium Hydroxide

This is my updated method for mixing sodium hydroxide. If you're curious, you can check out my original tutorial here. A lot has changed since then, and this version reflects what I currently do. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as lye, is a...

www.reef2reef.com

Thank you Randy.

Will there be precipitate in the dosing container from air exchange like Kalk or will it remain in solution? Also is it okay to add Tropic Marin A elements to sodium hydroxide?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

No, there is no precipitate from air.

 

[805reeftank]

I was wondering if I could get some advice on dosing with the goal of raising PH, which ranges from 7.9-8.2 for me. CO2 scrubber or outside air intake is no go for me.

I am doing BRS balling hybrid with soda ash, calcium chloride, and TM part C (2x concentration). I also add A and K elements and correct deficiencies with ICPs per moonshiners, thought being I’d offer some base level supplementation so the corrections are less drastic. I dose equal amounts of all solutions from 1 gallon jugs which makes life easy.

Originally I was thinking about lowering the 2 part dosing and supplementing with Kalk. Then I came across using sodium hydroxide instead of soda ash. So two questions.

1) is sodium hydroxide safe to keep in plastic jugs and will it corrode typical silicon tubing or clog with precipitate?

2) would I still dose equal parts of 2 part if I was using sodium hydroxide instead of soda ash and is sodium hydroxide compatible with TM A elements?

Thanks so much!

How’s your ICP #s coming back using A/K before adding moonshiners? I’m considering doing this method and moving from all for reef. All though my ICP comes back relatively good. My ph is low 7.8-8.1 and currently using a recirculating CO2 scrubber but I’m not liking the cost of media I’m only getting about 2 weeks of usage out it before it’s starts to drop off.

 

[DEdiver]

Check out this thread on Notafeesh 2 part. I use it for the same reasons you described.

Not a feesh supplements

Just looking for general feedback on “not a Feesh” 2 part. I am currently using B-ionic but if I could get a better result I am open to it. I haven’t be able to find much via searching so i am posting this to get some feedback. Thanks!

www.reef2reef.com

 

[kartrsu]

How’s your ICP #s coming back using A/K before adding moonshiners? I’m considering doing this method and moving from all for reef. All though my ICP comes back relatively good. My ph is low 7.8-8.1 and currently using a recirculating CO2 scrubber but I’m not liking the cost of media I’m only getting about 2 weeks of usage out it before it’s starts to drop off.

It was still coming in low in general, but I was running GFO, carbon, and chaeto so I wasn’t surprised things were depleted month to month. My biggest corrections have been flourine and barium. I just can’t keep my barium up.

My PH is around 7.9-8.2. Would love to have a floor of 8 at night and hit 8.3/8.4 during the day. When no one’s in the house, it hits that 8.3 but it’s like 6-7 hours into the light cycle.