Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information
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| Reef Discussion Post your questions, realizations, or just general thoughts on the subject of Saltwater & Reef aquariums |
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| Reef Discussion Post your questions, realizations, or just general thoughts on the subject of Saltwater & Reef aquariums |
| Notices |
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10-18-2009, 08:30 PM
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 Low KH ?? Have a 90g SW reef. Ph 8.2, CA 480, KH 2.5, Mg 1300 I can't ever seem to get the KH up to where it needs to be to be "balanced". Do I keep adding the Alkalinity part of my 2 part supplement until KH is balanced with the CA ??  |
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10-18-2009, 11:48 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? sounds like it's an ongoing problem so you probably already did this...but just incase, have you tried multiple test kits with the same results? ...just incase your alk test kit is old or not accurate. |
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10-19-2009, 12:21 AM
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| Re: Low KH ?? Like Map95003 states, verify that your test kit is accurate by testing your alkalinity (and calcium) using another test kit (preferable a different brand). I would explain how to it fix your problem if your test results are accurate, but a more helpful way for you and everyone else that has calcium/alkalinity problems is to read this article: Chemistry and the Aquarium . It is an old article (2002), but as far as I am aware, it is still the best article out there for figuring out how to solve alkalinity or calcium problems. Once that is done, please let me know if you still can't get your tank balanced.
__________________ Current Tanks: 300+ Gal Reef system, 10 Gal FW, 6 Gal FW |
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10-19-2009, 12:30 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? Thanks Brian & Martin. I am using Seachem test kits, but have an API test kit that I can compare results to. I'll test & let you know. |
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10-20-2009, 04:17 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? Tested both with the API kit. CA & KH were just slightly different. Any ideas here??? Should I dose the KH supplement a little bit each day until it balances?? that is kind of what the article implies |
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10-20-2009, 04:34 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? So called "hobby" test kits are not very accurate and can be difficult to read so differences are expected. Hopefully your results aren't extremely different. As for raising the alk, yes, I'd recommend dosing only the alk part for a while to get your system more balanced. If your calcium starts to drop too much, you may need to dose some calcium as well, but you should still dose in a larger quantity of the alk supplement.
__________________ Current Tanks: 300+ Gal Reef system, 10 Gal FW, 6 Gal FW |
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10-22-2009, 07:37 AM
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| Re: Low KH ?? Hi Doug, I was running into the same problem and my LFS buddy told me to try Reef Builder by Seachem. Works better than the alkalinity Part of the two part system. I add 1 teaspoon daily (or 2 every other day) as now I add two days worth of top off at a time.
__________________ "Embracing knowledge as the sole means of formulating an opinion or belief is scandulous. Knowledge must be scrutinized with common sense and reason in order to withstand the onslaught of criticism". -- Leon Guzdzial |
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10-22-2009, 12:08 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? Hey Leon. I had some Reef Builder & ran out. I'm dosing about 30ml of C Balance Alk per day with no CA part. I'll test tonite after work & see where I'm at. got a new Gonopora (sp?) the other week & it looks great |
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10-22-2009, 01:46 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? Quote:
__________________ "Embracing knowledge as the sole means of formulating an opinion or belief is scandulous. Knowledge must be scrutinized with common sense and reason in order to withstand the onslaught of criticism". -- Leon Guzdzial |
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10-26-2009, 12:16 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? OK, I'll try. 30ml a day of the Alk supplement isn't helping much. KH is still hanging around 2.5 & CA is 480! Water change time to reduce the CA ?? |
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10-27-2009, 12:02 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? Quote:
__________________ "Embracing knowledge as the sole means of formulating an opinion or belief is scandulous. Knowledge must be scrutinized with common sense and reason in order to withstand the onslaught of criticism". -- Leon Guzdzial |
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10-27-2009, 12:32 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? The Mg is 1300 as of a few days ago. I don't usually see it fluctuate. I'm not sure if I should keep adding KH supplement daily until both KH & CA are balanced, or just wait until the CA drops ?? So far adding it hasn't brought KH up to much above 2.5 Maybe I'll get more Reef Builder Last edited by N9CQB; 10-27-2009 at 12:34 PM.. Reason: neede to add a sentence |
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10-27-2009, 04:27 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? What brand of salt are you using? You may try using a salt mix with a naturally higher buffering capacity like Tropic Marin? |
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10-28-2009, 02:29 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? Quote:
__________________ "Embracing knowledge as the sole means of formulating an opinion or belief is scandulous. Knowledge must be scrutinized with common sense and reason in order to withstand the onslaught of criticism". -- Leon Guzdzial |
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10-29-2009, 12:29 PM
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| Re: Low KH ?? I'll try the tropic marin next time I need salt. In the mean time, I'm gonna get some Reef builder again to keep up the KH & use the C balance to "keep" everthing in check |
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