Low alkalinity low calcium low ph low nutrients help

[vpustovoytov]

What is your ph on average

 

[vpustovoytov]

60 gm per 1 gallon or 1 litter

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I think my pH is usually around 8.1

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

60 gm per 1 gallon or 1 litter

Liter.

Here's the calculation:

Vinegar is 5% acidity, so 1 liter contains 50 grams of acetic acid. Acetic acid has a molecular weight of 60 grams per mole, so there are 0.83 moles of acid.

You want more than that amount of hydroxide added, so say 1 mole to be sure it stays basic enough to not grow bacteria. That is 0.5 moles of calcium hydroxide since there are two moles of hydroxide in each Ca(OH)2.

Calcium hydroxide weighs 74.1 g/mole. so add at least 74.1 x 0.5 = 37 grams per liter.

60 g/L is overkill, but won't hurt anything and any solids can be used for the next batch.

 

[vpustovoytov]

Nice thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

FWIW, I never measured it, I just poured in a bunch and shook it up.

 

[vpustovoytov]

Randy I forgot do u run Gfo media any kind?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, I use vinegar, GFO, skimming, growing macroalgae, skimming, GAC, and big rock-filled refugia.

 

[vpustovoytov]

Hi randy !
I have another question do u use any as essential elements and how often u change the water and how much
Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I change about 1% daily with regular IO.

I also supplement limewater for calcium and alkalinity, and iron and silicate DIY solutions.

I don't presently add anything else, but there are a few things which might be useful for my system which I discuss in the context of Triton testing here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/my-triton-testing-results-by-randy-holmes-farley/

 

[vpustovoytov]

What's your water temperature ?
By the way it was interesting article about triton testing.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I generally keep my reef aquarium at about 80 degrees F.

 

[vpustovoytov]

Thanks

 

[vpustovoytov]

Randy hi !
What is your opinion on UV light use in reef tank ?

 

[vpustovoytov]

Hi Randy
Please tell me at what level u are maintaining silicate in ppm

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hi Randy
Please tell me at what level u are maintaining silicate in ppm

I do not maintain a particular level of silicate, but I dose to about 1-2 ppm when I dose. I assume it rapidly depletes until I dose again a week or two (or three when I'm lazy).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Randy hi !
What is your opinion on UV light use in reef tank ?

I don't use one because I carbon dose to drive bacterial growth, and I want those bacteria in the water to remain alive to feed filter feeders rather than be killed and spill their guts back tot eh water column. In general, they may be useful in tank especially prone to bacterial infections (like sea horses), but I'm not a fan of them for typical reef tanks.

 

[vpustovoytov]

Thank u so much

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[vpustovoytov]

[emoji56]