Kalk and how long?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by DirkDiggler, Mar 9, 2004.

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  1. DirkDiggler

    DirkDiggler Plankton

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    I started dripping Kalk in my tank. Before I started my calcium was 450 and Alk was about 4.5-5 dKH. I am adding kalk with my top off water. I'm just wondering how long it takes to bring the Alk level up?

    DD
     
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  3. Land_Fish

    Land_Fish Guest

    It won't bring the ALK level up.
    Please read this-- http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

    If alkalinity were less than 4 meq/L (11 dKH; the most common situation in zone 4; shown in Figure 5), I would advise correcting this problem by adding an alkalinity supplement until you have moved into the target zone (or zone 1). For systems with a pH of 8.2 or above, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a good choice. For systems with a pH below 8.2, washing soda (sodium carbonate) is a good choice (though use some baking soda too if the correction is a large one and the pH gets too high; that is, above pH 8.5 or so).

    In gauging how much to add, here are some rough guidelines:
    Baking Soda

    To raise 50 gallons of tank water by 1 meq/L will require about 16 grams of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate; sodium hydrogencarbonate). Since a level teaspoon of baking soda weighs just under 6 grams, then 1 teaspoon will raise the alkalinity in that 50 gallons by ~0.4 meq/L (~1 dKH).
     
  4. Craig Manoukian

    Craig Manoukian Giant Squid

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    Make sure you get a good grade of baking/washing soda that doesn't have other impurities! Read the label. Lab grade is better than what even humans can ingest.
     
  5. NUGIO

    NUGIO Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    Baking sodas good for heartburn too
    [smiley=devil.gif]<----- me after eating ketchup
     
  6. Land_Fish

    Land_Fish Guest

    You can use the arm and hammer baking soda. to make the washing soda all you have to do it use a cookie sheet and put a layer of baking soda on it and bake it for 30 minutes.
    I will have to search for the exact wording and way to do this but it is simple.
    This is all that is in Kents and seachem products and they charge up the ying yang for them.