Alk Problem - been dosing pickling lime

So, a while back, my 20 gallon got low on alkalinity (6 dkH) and my supernatural cap bleached out. I got lots of good advice on how to fix that. I am happy to note that my supernatural cap has come back completely and looks great. I have been using pickling lime in the top off water (1 teaspoon per gallon) and I have adjusted my water changes to roughly 20% every week.



Well, I have been using lime water in all my top off and doing regular water changes for over a month. However, I just can't seem to get my alkalinity up into the 9 dkH area like I want. Any advice? Here are my parameters. (right before my water change):



Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 0, phosphate 0, pH 8.4, alkalinity 7dkH, calcium 500. I am afraid if I change too. I am afraid if I change it to much, my all will go way low, or I will spike my pH.



Please advise! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif

 

Is there a way to test the limewater? Just trying to get some idea of how to get the alkalinity up without spiking the pH. I am already afraid my high pH might be bothering some of my zoas.

 

I have a Gatorade drip bottle for cheap auto top off. It drips slowly through the day and I put limewater in it. Is this how to do it? I try not to add much at once. Just slowly as it evaporates.

 

Ok. I will get to measuring this. (I will be honest though and say I have. Not tested this in the past and will have to get a test kit for it.) Hopefully tomorrow I will have details for the magnesium level. Thanks!

 

My alk is at 7 and I was thinking on trying to get to 8+ or 9 dkH to keep from getting tissue loss on sps. I am going to get a magnesium test tonight so I can check that.

 

Alright. So, I checked the magnesium using the Salifert Magnesium test kit. Apparently, my magnesium was really low. I registered at 180 ppm. So, I am dosing some magnesium in top off water in order to get the magnesium up. I am using Seachem Reef advantage magnesium crystals to raise the magnesium. Hopefully when I get the mag up to the 1320 ppm, then I will be able to better keep the calcium and alkalinity. So, I will work to get that in line.

Something in the directions does not seem quite right. It says: Use 5 g (1 level teaspoon) per 80 L (20 gal) twice a week. Dissolve in at least 250 mL of RO water. Each 5g/80 L will raise the mag by 5 mg/L (or ppm right). Do not exceed 25g/80L. So, does that mean I can only raise the mag by 25 ppm per day? If I am at 180 ppm, that is going to take my 1.5 months (assuming no mag depletion.) I have 300 g of magnesium crystals. That would mean I can only raise my magnesium by 300 ppm. So, I would also need like 4 bottles of this stuff. Can someone explain what I am missing?

Thanks. I am glad that I am getting the mag back on track. I hope that will help the sps and lps really take off.

 

yeah, I am hoping to have some insight from someone who doses the magnesium. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

Ok. It did seem low. I will test it again. Thanks Bud.

 

I drew back the syringe to the 1 ml line. (there was an air bubble) then I pushed out almost all the fluid til about 0.1 ml was left in the syringe. I will test it again and post the results.

 

Ok. So, I did the test again. I pulled the syringe plunger back to 1 ml then I dropped it until the plunger was at 0.1 mL does that mean my magnesium is at 1350 ppm or 150 ppm? I am not sure I know which way to read the scale. Can you let me know which it is?