Has anyone used seltzer water to lower KH? (1 Viewer)

[shollis2814]

The last couple of weeks my kH has been rising and my Calcium has been dropping. This week's test results pH 8.2, Nitrates 10ppm, kH 13, Calcium 380. This is a FOWLR.

I've read that when kH gets high it can cause a Calcium drop and that tiny (a few ounces) of seltzer water along with testing, can help bring it back down. I have dosed twice with Purple Up over the last couple of weeks (one capful/week) and that's it. I have Al-gone and Purigen in the sump.
This tank is about 8 weeks, but all live rock and live sand came from cycled tanks and I really had about a 4-5 day mini cycle and then a nitrate spike.
Thanks


Steve

 

[steveb]

While somewhat high I don't know that I would worry about 13 dKH to much. It will drop on its own if you are not dosing.

Alkalinity/Calcium/Magnesium can be thought of as three legs on a stool. If they get out of balance different things can occur so take read on these articles.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rhf/feature/

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry

 

[shollis2814]

Thanks. I haven't dosed in over a week because last week my dKH was up then. I was going by some parameters some friends gave me when I started this tank (keep it between 9-12). I've since read some much higher dKH values so I am not as concerned and will probably just watch it.

Thanks for the article links!

 

[steveb]

While randy does not specifically say "purple up" he has performed an analysis of the product.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/7/chemistry

Purple Up discussion thread
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1407489

 

[steveb]

Thanks. I haven't dosed in over a week because last week my dKH was up then. I was going by some parameters some friends gave me when I started this tank (keep it between 9-12). I've since read some much higher dKH values so I am not as concerned and will probably just watch it.

Thanks for the article links!

What kit are you using to test Alkalinity?

 

[shollis2814]

API saltwater KH test kit.

 

[shollis2814]

OK update. Either I did something wrong with the test yesterday or it was a spike. I re-checked again this evening. dKH was 11 and Ca was holding at 380. I typically test my tank on Sunday afternoons. I have not added any additives in over a week. I will check in a couple of days and make sure the dKH doesn't fall too far.

Thank you for the articles, they were very helpful.

 

[BlackSS]

Don't waste your time or money with purple up. It is basically just very fine aragonite sand in water. Snake oil

 

[steveb]

API saltwater KH test kit.

I've never used that one so can't provide any advice. I really like the Salifert Alkalinity test. Its very easy to use.

 

[ReefNoob]

The side effect of using Seltzer/ carbonated water is that it will also lower your pH so be mindful of that.( just did that on my 180- it takes a few liters of this stuff to make an impact though

 

[Kingb4c0]

If you have a FOWLR why are you worry about alk and Cal? What salt are you using and what is the SG?