How would you do it (1 Viewer)

[paraletho]

I have been using Reef Crystals for about 2 years now and it mixes too high in the Alk. department. Therefore I have been doing small multiple changes over days when it is water change time. I like to run 7.7-7.8 dkh. Sometimes I just don't have time for this process. should I try lowering the alk with carbonated water or some other chemical or should I just bite the bullet and switch salts. I used Kent previously with the same problems but even higher. Lets here some recommendations.

 

[FarmerTy]

Use a lower alk salt, there's someone on Reef2reef that ran tests on all the salts.

Otherwise, you can always add muriatic acid to the mixed water to lower the alk.

 

[paraletho]

If I use acid does it change any other parameters. If I remember right muriatic is actually dilute Hydrochloric. The chlorine binds to sodium and calcium in the form of chlorides?

 

[Clownfish Chris]

I would pick a salt that you like and just do water changes until the parameters are where you want them. It is good to move slowly for sure.

 

[OceansX]

I have been using Reef Crystals for about 2 years now and it mixes too high in the Alk. department. Therefore I have been doing small multiple changes over days when it is water change time. I like to run 7.7-7.8 dkh. Sometimes I just don't have time for this process. should I try lowering the alk with carbonated water or some other chemical or should I just bite the bullet and switch salts. I used Kent previously with the same problems but even higher. Lets here some recommendations.

I use Reef Crystals specifically for the high alkalinity because that's what I like. If you are aiming for ~7.7 dKh, I would recommend switching salts.

 

[DaAznGuy]

+1 on swirching to something closer to your range

 

[steveb]

I use Fritz Pro Salt which is advertised at 8.5 dkh @ 35 ppt salinity - averages somewhere close to that.

But yes you can use muratic acid to lower the alkalinity...

Lowering Alkalinity with Acid - Reef Central Online Community

important quotes from link for convenience...

Hi Randy


I am trying to lower my alkalinity of Reef Crystals from 13 dkH to ~7 in the hope of using Zeovit products. I got Muriatic Acid to lower the alk of my salt. Do I just add the acid to the water? What can be used to handle the acid? I have a glass dropper from my school chemistry lab can I use it?


My Reef Crystals Alkalinity is 13 dKH. I am using 8.79 ml of acid to drop it to 7 dKH. Does this sound right? My water change volume is 13 gallons (49.21 liters)


Thanks a lot for the help. I really appreciate it.
Vishnu

Yes, you just add the acid. Be very careful with straight muriatic acid. It can easily burn you, especially your eyes.


The "acidity" (that being essentially negative alkalinity) of muriatic acid straight from the bottle is about 11,000 meq/L.


So adding 1/11,000 of the water volume as this acid will drop alkalinity by 1 meq/l (2.8 dKH).


You want a drop of 13-7 = 6 dKH, or 2.1 times that amount, so you'd add 1/5,100th of the water volume.


13 gallons ~ 49 L


1/5100 of 49 L = 9.6 mL


So I'd add 5 ml and stir well for a few minutes and see what alkalinity you get. Then dose again assuming it seems on the right track.


You'll need to aerate well after adding the acid to blow off the excess CO2 and bring up the pH.

Chemistry and the Aquarium: What is Alkalinity? — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[Cody]

I have been using Reef Crystals for about 2 years now and it mixes too high in the Alk. department. Therefore I have been doing small multiple changes over days when it is water change time. I like to run 7.7-7.8 dkh. Sometimes I just don't have time for this process. should I try lowering the alk with carbonated water or some other chemical or should I just bite the bullet and switch salts. I used Kent previously with the same problems but even higher. Lets here some recommendations.

What's your water volume and how much water do you change at a time?

 

[FarmerTy]

If I use acid does it change any other parameters. If I remember right muriatic is actually dilute Hydrochloric. The chlorine binds to sodium and calcium in the form of chlorides?

Oh jeez, I may have known years ago but don't remember the exact chemical process that occurs. At this point, if Randy Holmes Farley says it works, I just run with it. [emoji4]

 

[paraletho]

Well I have about 4 boxes( 200 gal apiece) too use up so I am going with the acid (which I already have). When I get close to needing salt I will decide then. Also I take care of the school tank and that is 60 gallons per change. Probably four months. Thanks everyone for the responses.

 

[paraletho]

3.25ml muriatic acid/ 5 gal bucket brings 11.5 alk to 7.8. Randy was right about the PH aereating now.

 

[paraletho]

What's your water volume and how much water do you change at a time?

Cody I change 20 gals every 2 weeks on a 80 gal total water volume. Its a 55 Oceanic with a 55 sump full of rock and equipment.

 

[FarmerTy]

3.25ml muriatic acid/ 5 gal bucket brings 11.5 alk to 7.8. Randy was right about the PH aereating now.

Nice, glad you got it sorted!

 

[RR-MAN]

Either very small water changes or change to Oceanic salt, DKH of 8-8.5