Low alk / high calcium problem solved!

David,
First you need to know whats wrong with the tank and once that is fixed the B-Ionic will keep it balanced.

 

I don't know what was "wrong" with my tank but ever since I started using the seachem prods. tests got better and better.
Raising my S.G. helped alot also! My last tests were:
cal. 470mg/l
p.h. 8.2
alk. 4.5 meg/l
phos. 0.5
I love the sea chem stuff!
Maybe if I kept using the b-ionic every thing would have leveled out in the end also. I would be too scared to switch back now that I have my dosing schedule figured out.
Ya' know!, if it ain't broke...[smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

 

[quote author=david link=board=Water;num=1067815719;start=0#11 date=11/24/03 at 07:16:38]Ya' know!, if it ain't broke...[smiley=2thumbsup.gif]
[/quote]

Amen to that! Great results Dave!

 

You guys need to ask yourself question. How does your Ca get that high when you aren't adding a Ca sup. Sachem labs Reef-Builder is a Alk buffer and does nothing for raising Ca. It sounds like you guys have some type of test kit interference

 

[quote author=Boomer link=board=Water;num=1067815719;start=0#13 date=11/24/03 at 17:27:51]You guys need to ask yourself question. How does your Ca get that high when you aren't adding a Ca sup. Sachem labs Reef-Builder is a Alk buffer and does nothing for raising Ca. It sounds like you guys have some type of test kit interference[/quote]

DIY rock.

 

Hey Boomer, Come on stop being a Guest and become a Member. That way you can slam us all for using Seachem.

Seriously I would like to find an alternative and I value your opinion.
I would really like to get a Ca Reactor but have promised myself I will reduce some dept before I jump in and do that.
Jakets

 

DIY Rock, well that will do it.  

There is really nothing wrong with the SeaChem Builder for what some of you are trying to achieve, lower the Ca but what or how are you planning on  raising Ca once it is needed and the Alk and Ca are balanced ?

Adding a buffer to lower the Ca is common practice but why pay for something that is not needed. Reef  Buffer is nothing more than mostly Soda Ash with some Baking Soda and a little of K+ and P+ and no Borate. It is basically the same thing as their Marine Buffer for FOT, which has Borate. The Reef Builder is mostly Baking Soda. You can make your own buffer with a 5:1 mix of Baking Soda and Washing Soda, for much less. There is no need for adding more P + and K + to the tank


If you don't use one of the two parts or Kalk, both which are balanced, you will end up with problems. Myself, Craig Bingman and Randy Holmes-Farley have answered this same question 100's of times. The problems you guys are having (Alk -Ca relationships) are the most common on our forums, always with the same answer, all the way back to the  early 90's. If balanced additions are not used you are asking for trouble sooner or later, unless you counter act it with water changes more often.

Here are some things to read;

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2002/chem.htm

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rhf/feature/index.htm

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

I must say this is a really cool lookin' website

Boomer

 

Hey boomer. Make sure you add your pin to the map under profile

 

@ Boomer

[flash=468,60]http://www.3reef.com/fish/sitepics/threesteps3.swf[/flash]

Thanks for joining Boomer! We have crossed paths I believe on some other sites, I am psyched to see you here.

I am also relieved to read your response. I feared this may turn into a bash/slam fest which I really don't want. I am proud that most everyone has managed to stick to the 'Be Cool' agreement in the registration. ;D

I can't stand the 'nose in the air' mentality that some people have when it comes to certain products or methods. Different ways work for different people. Hardly anyone talks about commitment or husbandry which I find highly ironic.

ANyway, off of my soapbox, per my first post, I had low alk so I started using the buffer for alk.

I also had high pH and calcium and it didn't take me long to point at my DIY rock which I made with Portland cement and a lot of crushed oyster shell.

I guess I didn't cure it enough initially. In hindsight, I should have done a lot more water changes in the kiddy pool.

Anyway, glad you like the site and thanks for the great links!

Welcome to 3reef.

[smiley=smoke.gif]

matt

 

Thanks for those links Boomer. Ecery time I read that stuff I get some clarification and confuion all at once. Will figure this out in time. I never took chemisrty in school and I know why now, absolutely no aptitude for this stuff!