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Calcium, Kh & Ph


FuEl
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Hi guys..need to clarify somethings.

I have bought 2 additives. One is Seachem's Reef buffer (containing carbonates and bicarbonates....the label states that it will help to maintain pH stability)...the other is Reefez kalkwasser (basically calcium hydroxide).

I have some questions. Let's say I add the buffer till my kH is maybe around 9-10... then I add the kalkwasser slowly to increase my calcium levels to the norm (maybe around 450ppm?)... As I do this...do I need to monitor my pH? Will it overshoot 8.3? If so will it go down and stabilize at 8.3 in time to come?

I'm scared if I adjust my kH first...then if adding kalkwasser to increase my calcium level incidentally increases my pH to >8.5. Won't it take very long for it to drop back to 8.3 since my kH is so high? By then would'nt my aquarium inhabitants die? :paiseh::unsure:

Always something more important than fish.

http://reefbuilders.com/2012/03/08/sps-pico-reef/

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Drip kalk slowly and u wont have this major problem. try dripping at night when the PH levels are low. this helps a bit. Kalk doesnt shoot up your PH unless u seriously overdose it. get a test kit. Too high calcium will result in too low KH .. which is.. a good thing in your case? But too high PH. but since your water will be so soft it will be easier to bring the PH back down? no idea what im saying now after the 3rd line

Once again. Read the instructions on your bottle of Reef buffer(is it reef builder)? . one dose doesn't instaly bring up your KH and makes it stay there . One thing i love abt seachem products is the labels are so specific. i have juz about every additive from seachem ;)

Prevention is way better than cure

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Reef Buffer and kalkwasser should never be added together as both of them have a high pH and can cause the tank pH to shoot up. Leave at least a few hours inbetween using these two solutions.

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Ok..i shall add them 2 days apart.

Yep..mine is Seachem's Reef Builder.

Another question...for Kalkwasser you need to drip it slowly...but for the Reef Builder...I add dose by dose daily until my kH goes up to the value I like right? Question is..for each dose...Do I need to drip it? :blink:

Always something more important than fish.

http://reefbuilders.com/2012/03/08/sps-pico-reef/

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im using seachem reef builder also.. did u read the instructions?? u supposed to dissolve in water and dose in once a week . Not Dose daily !!

Woo Tanzy's back. miss me?

Yep..mine is Seachem's Reef Builder.

u gotta make sure wether its reef buffer or reef builder. buffer raises PH and Kh builder KH ONly. dun mix them up

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I added one dose already. But this is the first time I am adding the Reef Builder. My tank is already around 5 months old? Weekly water change about 10% only. So hard to guage. Anyway...Dunno why I am so particular about my kH and calcium....I'm keeping softies mostly. Ah..guess it's just to grow coralline algae. Those on my rocks are pink-red. Those on my glass are green! I want the pink ones!

Always something more important than fish.

http://reefbuilders.com/2012/03/08/sps-pico-reef/

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Pink coralline require strong light. Actually, just using kalkwasser alone is sufficient to maintain both your calcium and alkalinity.

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Pink coralline require strong light. Actually, just using kalkwasser alone is sufficient to maintain both your calcium and alkalinity.

Yep...I know..since kalkwasser is mainly Ca(OH2)....the Ca will increase calcium level..the OH anion will increase alkalinity.

But for...carbonate hardness...that one cannot be maintained by Ca(OH)2 can it? Unless I bubble CO2 or something into my water to form CaCO3? For now I'm using the Reef builder. No plan to inject CO2...dun wan any freak accidents to occur. :D

Always something more important than fish.

http://reefbuilders.com/2012/03/08/sps-pico-reef/

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You don't need to bubble carbon dioxide into the tank unless you like the planted reef look. The kalkwasser replenishes calcium and carbonate in a 1:1 ratio similar to how it is depleted by organisms in the tank.

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how to u mix the kalk into water without trapping air in it? I've heard that getting CO2 (from the air) trapped into the solution with precipitate out an insoluble caclcium compound thus rendering the kalk useless...... :unsure::shock:

Kalkwasser or calcium hydroxide solution will react with atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce insoluble calcium carbonate. That is why it is good practice to dose freshly prepared kalkwasser and avoid stirring or shaking it too much.

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