roy81 Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 Hi all, I started only 3-4months ago. And so ny knowledge is limited. Have an issue with Ca, Mg & kH now. My tank is currently low in kh. Should i start dosing something? 2ft cube tank No3 10 Po4 0.03-0.1 Ca 410 Mg 1230 kH 5.4 My tank is a mixed reef setup. Have sps, lps, soft corals (have attached pic for better understanding). What is causing the drop in kH? Understand that dosing to increase kH would bring down Ca and my Ca readings are not high either. Thus should i standby and buy additives to increase Ca while i try to increase my kH? Would appreciate all advices. Thanks in advance for advices. Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Mike Stone Posted November 20, 2016 SRC Member Share Posted November 20, 2016 May I know what is your PH ?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roy81 Posted November 20, 2016 Author Share Posted November 20, 2016 No test kit to measure. To add on, salinity at 1.025Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Mike Stone Posted November 20, 2016 SRC Member Share Posted November 20, 2016 Just to make answer short, in my own knowledge.The SPS needs to grow by building their structure with calcium carbonate , so the Calcium you measured is part of the formula. For carbonate, it is obtained from the bicarbonate of the water. Alkalinity is a simpler alternative way to measure bicarbonate (science behind is deep), when Alkalinity is low means carbonate is low for sps structure growth, that's why high KH enhance growth. If your KH is low, you need to use Kalk or KH dosing to increase it. Using Kalk is good as it increases Ca and KH, but got to watch out for PH not to exceed your comfort zone.I am also new, this is what I understand from my kids who studied Chemistry. LolzSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Mike Stone Posted November 20, 2016 SRC Member Share Posted November 20, 2016 Also if your PH is currently below 8.0, I would suggest you dose Kalk first. Remember Kalk usually dose at night to avoid PH swing and need to dose slowly.If PH is already high, than I would suggest you dose KH, you can get it from two part dosing chemical. Using a doser will be good for this.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Mike Stone Posted November 20, 2016 SRC Member Share Posted November 20, 2016 You need to be able to know your PH when come to dosing, as PH will be affected.Don't use those PH test strip as they are not accurate, try get a electronic PH monitor.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roy81 Posted November 20, 2016 Author Share Posted November 20, 2016 Thanks mike stone. Will test my ph. Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roy81 Posted November 20, 2016 Author Share Posted November 20, 2016 Is the api ph testkit for freshwater usable for seawater? Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Mike Stone Posted November 20, 2016 SRC Member Share Posted November 20, 2016 For PH, test kit is not accurate too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilo Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 10 hours ago, roy81 said: Is the api ph testkit for freshwater usable for seawater? Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Suggest you buy those PH pen. guess its around $55 Suggest you read this article written by Randy http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roy81 Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 Hi kilo, have read the article. Not really totally understood. Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roy81 Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 PH 8.2Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Mike Stone Posted November 21, 2016 SRC Member Share Posted November 21, 2016 Try dosing Kalk at night first, if Kalk don't help, you need to dose KH liao.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member JMW Posted November 21, 2016 SRC Member Share Posted November 21, 2016 If your Ca is stable at 410, it's not too bad as that's around NSW levels. An alternative for you would be to dose KH alone, can either get commercial solutions or DIY baking soda solution. Dose in regular amounts & intervals thruout 24hrs to maximize the conditions for stable parameters.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roy81 Posted November 22, 2016 Author Share Posted November 22, 2016 Noted. Would try to dose baking soda and update again. Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member nasotang Posted November 30, 2016 SRC Member Share Posted November 30, 2016 Read up more about home made 2 part dosing first ! For me kalk is convenient and cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member reefbuilder Posted November 30, 2016 SRC Member Share Posted November 30, 2016 I top up with kalk but my experience is that it maintains calcium very well however KH will stil go down over time and I will have to dose KH once a week. I have LPS and softie in my tanks but no SPS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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