Second New DIY Two Part Recipe with Higher pH Boost

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The recipe is in the first post of this thread, but dose it by alkalinity need, not pH need. Alk may get far too high if you dose until you reach pH 8.3.

 

[SPSDomination]

The recipe is in the first post of this thread, but dose it by alkalinity need, not pH need. Alk may get far too high if you dose until you reach pH 8.3.

Hey Randy. I am going to be switching from the baking soda in the oven method to sodium hydroxide because I need a PH boost. Currently PH is 7.95 at night and usually doesn’t get over 8.1 during the day. Windows open or closed makes no difference. Currently dosing 100ml of the baking soda method. Should I expect the same dose with sodium hydroxide, or far less?

 

[reefsanz]

La receta está en la primera publicación de este hilo, pero dosifique según la alcalinidad necesaria, no el pH. La alcalinidad puede ser demasiado alta si dosifica hasta alcanzar un pH de 8,3.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hey Randy. I am going to be switching from the baking soda in the oven method to sodium hydroxide because I need a PH boost. Currently PH is 7.95 at night and usually doesn’t get over 8.1 during the day. Windows open or closed makes no difference. Currently dosing 100ml of the baking soda method. Should I expect the same dose with sodium hydroxide, or far less?

Same dose, and maybe more if the pH does rise, increasing demand.

 

[SPSDomination]

Same dose, and maybe more if the pH does rise, increasing demand.

Thanks for the fast response. Appreciate all you do.

 

[reefsanz]

This would be @Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[mycoralswontgrow]

What’s the ideal zone of a sump to dose all this? Currently using baking soda dosed into return chamber, but not sure if flow is high enough there for this

 

[Miami Reef]

What’s the ideal zone of a sump to dose all this? Currently using baking soda dosed into return chamber, but not sure if flow is high enough there for this

If using baking soda, you don’t necessarily need to add it to a well-circulated area.

It’s important to sufficiently mix sodium hydroxide prior to it getting sucked in the return pump to the display.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What’s the ideal zone of a sump to dose all this? Currently using baking soda dosed into return chamber, but not sure if flow is high enough there for this

How are you dosing it? If it is by pump, the slower you add it, the less chance of precipitation with any mix. As Miami notes, bicarbonate is not nearly as prone to issues as the high pH versions.

 

[mycoralswontgrow]

How are you dosing it? If it is by pump, the slower you add it, the less chance of precipitation with any mix. As Miami notes, bicarbonate is not nearly as prone to issues as the high pH versions.

Was going to switch to the high ph to get some consistency in mine.

Yes the doser is close to the inlet for the return pump.

 

[MnFish1]

Was going to switch to the high ph to get some consistency in mine.

Yes the doser is close to the inlet for the return pump.

I tend to dose it where the water is coming into the sump - in that high flow area - that way the dose is diluted some before reaching the tank. I'm not sure it matters - depending on the way the dose is being given (constant or more boluses)

 

[MoeStachio]

Ok so in regards to the Mag Sulohate Heptahydrate/ I can't seem to find it listed as heptahydrate, but did find Hexahydrate

Is that still viable? Do I change anything?

If not a good substitute, what am I looking for?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok so in regards to the Mag Sulohate Heptahydrate/ I can't seem to find it listed as heptahydrate, but did find Hexahydrate

Is that still viable? Do I change anything?

If not a good substitute, what am I looking for?

You sure? Ordinary Epsom salt is mag sulfate heptahydrate. The mag chloride is a hexahydrate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The hydration level itself is unimportant, but the usp grade of Epsom salt ensures purity.

 

[MoeStachio]

Ok so in regards to the Mag Sulohate Heptahydrate/ I can't seem to find it listed as heptahydrate, but did find Hexahydrate

Is that still viable? Do I change anything?

If not a good substitute, what am I looking for?

You sure? Ordinary Epsom salt is mag sulfate heptahydrate. The mag chloride is a hexahydrate.

Alright. As long as it works.

I couldn't find any listed as Heptahydrate. Didn't wanna get the wrong stuff

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Alright. As long as it works.

I couldn't find any listed as Heptahydrate. Didn't wanna get the wrong stuff

Show me what you did find?

 

[MoeStachio]

Alright. As long as it works.

I couldn't find any listed as Heptahydrate. Didn't wanna get the wrong stuff

Show me what you did find?

Mag Sulfide: https://a.co/d/cZEaYkO

Mag Chloride: https://a.co/d/dn1vhLe

Calc Chloride: https://a.co/d/5kY7tuT

Calc Hydroxide: https://a.co/d/7dzgPcr

Water will be from a BRS 4Stage RODI system

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The magnesium sulfate is described as USP Epsom salt. That is fine and I believe it is the heptahydrate despite not saying so.

 

[MoeStachio]

The magnesium sulfate is described as USP Epsom salt. That is fine and I believe it is the heptahydrate despite not saying so.

Ok thank you so much for the recipe, and the help here!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy reefing. :)