Dosing observation

Since I added a doser to add my CA and alk and changed my alk additive from sodium carbonate to sodium bicarbonate I do not need to unfreeze my pumps my any where near as often as I did before these changes. I have gone from 4 weeks at best to a couple months at worst. My coral growth has exploded also.

 

I completely agree and have found the same myself!

 

I forgot to mention I went from dosing once or twice a day for each to 12X a day for each.

 

is the bicarbonate coming in a different recipe from BRS?

 

Can you please explain for the chemistry challenged (me)the details. Coral growth exploded, well that is awesome.

Yes and specific products/brand please.

 

Besides adding info that cheryl requested can you add what type of doser, and why the change from changed my alk additive from sodium carbonate to sodium bicarbonate?

 

It is solution 2, baking soda.

LOL I am using BRS calcium chloride and am buying bulk baking soda from a local bulk store.

Sodium carbonate increases pH initially when added. This increase can cause calcium carbonate to precipitate directly out of solution if the pH gets too high otherwise it makes it easier for the calcium carbonate to precipitate onto equipment with the increased heat they generate in their immediate vicinity.

Sodium bicarbonate lowers pH initially when introduced thereby reducing the chance of calcium carbonate forming and precipitating on equipment. The bicarbonate ion is more readily used by corals than the carbonate ion thereby increasing the corals growth.

The bicarbonate ion is more readily used by corals than the carbonate ion thereby increasing the corals growth.

I am using Aqua Lifter pumps in conjunction with my controller's dosing setup.

 

Definitely, spreading out alk dosing and keeping the pH reasonable makes a huge difference IME. You should get a bit more out of it too

 

Definitely since there is less precipitation from excess ions in the water.

 

Is that Randy's Recipe 2 John?