Alkalinity question

Ok so I recently discovered my calcium was low.
calcium was 360
P.H. 8.3
Alkalinity 8dKH

so I have been adding calcium chloride for a few days and am now at 400ppm meanwhile my P.H. has stayed about 8.3 I decided to check the
Alkalinity tonight and it tested and retested 6dKH.

My question is how can my Alkalinity drop without affecting my P.H. and how can i raise the Alkalinity to the proper range(8-12) without now raising my P.H. above the safe high end range?

 

Get your magnesium in order. Calcium and alkalinity will be easy to balance and maintain in proper levels after that.

 

Yea I dont have a test kit for that yet but am realizing how important it is the more I learn.I will get a kit soon and dose accordingly.
What can I use to raise the Alkalinity without affecting P.H.
I have SeaChem reef buffer but that will raise P.H. as well as Alkalinity right?

 

There is more to pH than alkalinity, CO2 levels mainly. I wouldn't worry too much about pH just try not to spike it more than maybe .2 at once. The pH spike will only last a short time anyway as everything balances out in the tank.
You can also look into using a mixture of sodium carbonate (soda ash or baked baking soda) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Sodium carbonate will raise pH and sodium bicarbonate will slightly lower the pH so if you use a combination of both the pH spike won't be as severe.

Here's a couple articles if you want more details.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

 

Hi reddog
I recently discovered myself that
until you get your magnesium up to the levels it can support your targets on calcium and Alk you will have either or both of these issues

for every degree of DKH you increase your Calc will drop by about 20ppm
for every 20ppm of Calc you increase - your DKH will drop by 1 point

so you do need that mag test and then you need to check the calculator and work out best / safest way to increase mag (using your desired product)

3reef.com - Forums for coral reef aquariums, salt water fish, corals, inverts, protein skimmers, aquarium lighting and more - Calculators

Steve

 

So i just re checked everything with a friends kit and perams are as follows

P.h. 8.2
dK 7
Specific Gravity 1.022
calcium 400
Phosphate 0
Nitrate 0

He also did not have a Mag test.

Are those levels O.k.?

 

It depends on what you have. Softies, LPS, SPS.

 

All softies so far
I am going to add some seachem reef buffer tomorrow.
5g should raise my P.h. to 8.3 as well as raising alkalinity to 8.4dKH
I am sure i will have to keep adding calcium as it could be a little
higher than 400 and raising alk will drop cal and vice versa
I am also picking up a mag test tomorrow
I think im on the right track...Anyone let me know if im wrong???

 

reddog
PH of 8.2 is fine IMO - is your tank covered? how is your water movement at the water surface? is there plenty of fresh air getting into the room the tank is in

if you have a bit of spare time try the below tests out

take a cup of water out of your tank, add an airstone, let it bubble for an hour, measure the PH - if its higher than 8.2 - then CO2 in your tank is keeping your PH down a little

if its the same - take the cup outside and bubble for an hour - measure PH if its higher
C02 in your room is keeping the PH down

but 8.2 is fine anyway so I only mention it for interest sake

Steve

 

My tank is not covered and has fantastic water movement at the surface.Unfortunently the room its in does not have alot of ventilation but I open it up as much as possible.
Steve I will try that test soon.I get my mag test today so im excited to see what it is.
Thanks for all the help people...I will let you know how it goes