kH: the neverending struggle

[Nano_Steve]

can anyone tell me of a way to stabilize my dang kH? here's the scoop:

for the past oh lets say month ive been trying to stabilize my kH. ive been religiously adding 2tsp. of kent superbuffer every morning mixed with ro water and have a kalk drip going 24/7 to keep my pH from going haywire. my calcium is beginning to get up there(last i checked it was around 340) my kH is STILL running at 9 and a month ago it was at 7?!?!

i cant seem to figure out how to stabilize it. anyone have any tips?

thanks, steve

[BA]

i have the same problem...

[JimD]

B-Ionic and kalk, that combination works like a charm for me. Ca-420/450 Alk-10/12 Dkh. My corals reflect those levels...

[Bigreefer]

You need to balance yourself.
kalk is a balanced solution with equal alk and calcium. When you add buffer on top of kalk you are unbalancing yourself.

I recommend stop adding kalk, then add buffer or calcium carbonate (turbo calcium) depending on how your system is unbalanced. once you have it balance, then start adding a balance solution like kalk or a calcium reactor to maintain your balance.



Calcium and Alkalinity

A Homemade Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Additive System
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...il2004/chem.htm

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Purity of Calcium Chloride
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2004/chem.htm

Calcium and Alkalinity Balance Issues
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-...ature/index.htm

Calcium Carbonate as a Supplement (Aragamight; Liquid Reactor)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...ly2002/chem.htm

The Relationship Between Alkalinity and pH.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2002/chem.htm

The Chemical & Biochemical Mechanisms of Calcification in Corals
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/apr2002/chem.htm

Calcium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2002/chem.htm

Alkalinity
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...2/chemistry.htm

[Bigreefer]

This is a fun calculator to help find your balance..

http://www.andy-hipkiss.co.uk/index.htm?http://www.andy-hipkiss.co.uk/cacalc.htm

[matt]

What size tank? How much kalk/day? What kind of calcium demanding animals? What salt mix? How much lighting? (this can affecct your calcium demand by calcification of corals) What ph range? If you want to take the time to answers those questions, you might get more specific advice

Kalk can be spiked with vinegar to increase the saturation rate of calcium; it really works. You can typically get 10% more caclium in your kalk by mixing in 20-30ml of vinegar per gallon of kw. Since this lowers the kw ph, you can also safely does more, assuming you have the evaporation rate.

Big reefer's on to it, though. First you need to raise and balance your calcium and carbonate hardness levels, then maintain them with kw. But, many people do find that kw alone does not meet all the demand for either calcium or carbonate, usually carbonate. so it's not uncommon to supplement kw with a carbonate source; probably the best in this case would be baking soda.

Really the easiest method, IMO, is to use a calcium reactor. Once it's set right, your levels should remain rock solid.