How do I raise alkalinity without raising magnesium and calcium.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hello Randy, one more question on dosing AFR please? I increased my AFR dosing from 12ml to 20ml per day per your input and will monitor my level and adjust the daily AFR to get it to hold around 9 dKh.

The question is the best way to dose? Right now I am doing the entire amount once per day, releasing it into my sump near to the return pump intake (which is same chamber as the skimmer). I do have the ability to schedule more doses of lesser quantity if that would be better? I noted in my testing of the dosing pump (Kamoer F1 BT pump) that there was some level of error when dispensing into a graduated cylinder (informal GR&R study). It seemed like I could minimize the total dosing variation by doing a single daily dose vs say 10 times a day x 2ml per dose.

Since AFR releases its usable alk slowly as bacteria metabolize it, I think once a day is fine. Spreading out out through the early part of the day (say, 6 am to 3 ppm) is also fine.

 

[Luky]

Thank you.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[Luky]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

Hi Randy, I'm back with another question about AFR. Over the last couple of months I have increased my daily dosage of AFR in my 70gal to 25ml/day. My alk looks steady at ~ 10.3 and Calcium at ~432 (checked today, 2 weeks after last AFR increase to 25ml). My Ph seems to have been holding at 8.4, but I recalibrate my Hanna Ph pen last night and now see a tank Ph 7.8. So I added 1 tsp of baking soda which raises Ph by ~0.1 in my system, and will add another tomorrow if needed to get to 8.0.

I was mixing up another 1L of AFR for my dosing pump, and had the stiring about done, and decided to add 3 tsp baking soda to the AFR to have it supplement my Ph over time (about 6 weeks supply) to help keep it steady. However after adding 1 tsp of baking soda, I got quite a foaming reaction in the AFR (like adding baking soda to white vinegar) and now have a milky solution. Did I ruin this 1L AFR solution or do you think it is still usable for dosing?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hi Randy, I'm back with another question about AFR. Over the last couple of months I have increased my daily dosage of AFR in my 70gal to 25ml/day. My alk looks steady at ~ 10.3 and Calcium at ~432 (checked today, 2 weeks after last AFR increase to 25ml). My Ph seems to have been holding at 8.4, but I recalibrate my Hanna Ph pen last night and now see a tank Ph 7.8. So I added 1 tsp of baking soda which raises Ph by ~0.1 in my system, and will add another tomorrow if needed to get to 8.0.

I was mixing up another 1L of AFR for my dosing pump, and had the stiring about done, and decided to add 3 tsp baking soda to the AFR to have it supplement my Ph over time (about 6 weeks supply) to help keep it steady. However after adding 1 tsp of baking soda, I got quite a foaming reaction in the AFR (like adding baking soda to white vinegar) and now have a milky solution. Did I ruin this 1L AFR solution or do you think it is still usable for dosing?

There's no reason to add baking soda in this scenario. Like AFR, it is an alk supplement with a tendency to lower pH.

One cannot add other alkalinity supplements to AFR. You will precipitate calcium carbonate. You can use it, but it will be less potent than it was.

 

[Luky]

There's no reason to add baking soda in this scenario. Like AFR, it is an alk supplement with a tendency to lower pH.

One cannot add other alkalinity supplements to AFR. You will precipitate calcium carbonate. You can use it, but it will be less potent than it was.

Yes, I noticed a bunch of white powder precipitated out of the solution after letting it sit overnight. I decided not to use it and made up another 1L batch for my reservoir. I was able to help my pH issue by running a 1/2" air line from my skimmer intake out a window and taping up the excess window gap. It has been over 100F here in San Diego lately and the house is closed up with AC on. My pH went from 7.8 to 8.1 in about 5 hours just from this change.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, I noticed a bunch of white powder precipitated out of the solution after letting it sit overnight. I decided not to use it and made up another 1L batch for my reservoir. I was able to help my pH issue by running a 1/2" air line from my skimmer intake out a window and taping up the excess window gap. It has been over 100F here in San Diego lately and the house is closed up with AC on. My pH went from 7.8 to 8.1 in about 5 hours just from this change.

Sounds like a good improvement.