Buffering Capacity of Aragonite

[Jamie]

Hi all,

I got my sugar sized aragonite sand and decorations and routed my plumbing last night. I added conditioned tap water to my tank and it has been running for a little while. I haven't mixed my salt in yet as I wanted the temp to come up a bit. What should the pH be with just the aragonite sand in the tank with a few pieces of coral? I was expecting at least hi 7's. But right now it's low 7's. It is pretty much the same as my tap water's pH. Maybe it just takes a while? Will the pH go up to the 8.X range once I add the salt? Or will I end up having to add baking soda or some other buffering compound?

Thanks,

Jamie

 

[Reefscape]

You wont notice that much of a change, well, near enough nothing at all actually. Your pH will pretty much stay as it is untill you add the salt mix...i could only really second guess about what the pH would be when you have mixed the salt...you want to be aiming for aroun 8.1 - 8.4 ...

Niko

 

[Jamie]

Thanks for the input atnixon. Is it OK to add the salt a few days after I get the tank running...or should I add it right away before I go into work for a couple overnights.

I got instant ocean and it says not to add the salt directly to the water. Since my tank is full right now...My plan is to take about two liters out at a time, mix the salt for a few seconds and dump the liter back in, then repeat over and over and over...

...sound OK?

 

[Reefscape]

Nah, as its a new tank, just get it in the tank now, get it circulated ( presume you have water circulation going on in there ) and disolved and get your SG right ( around 1.023 )...would only suggest you get your temp to around 78f first....

Niko

 

[Grins]

While it is true that you don't typically want to add straight salt to a tank, in the case of a new tank that does not yet have life in it, you're fine.

 

[vorlx]

Adding salt to a brand new tank (without life) is fine but thats really the only time you would want to do it. As far as the PH, my tap water is around 7.0 and with the salt mixed its mid 8's which is where it pretty much stays at.

I use the same type of substrate you mentioned.

 

[Jamie]

Thanks for all the input! Cycling will be starting tomorrow. How does two shrimp for a 150 gal sound?

 

[Reefscape]

two good sized shrimp would be just great...

 

[Jamie]

Let the Cycling Begin!!!!

Well, I added salt for about 140 gallons of water. I figured mixing less and adding more as required would be easier than having to dilute a stronger solution. I haven't tested the specific gravity yet as I'm waiting for all of the salt to completely dissolve. The pH is already rising though...so I'm feeling pretty good.

I had the wife pick up a couple shrimp from the market, tossed them into some no nonsense knee highs and dropped them in the tank. I wasn't expecting the hose to float...I ended up staking them down in the sand. It looks kind of comical.

So now it's sit, wait, and monitor parameters time. I have a few weeks to figure out a plan regarding which fish I want to stock and in what order I'll be adding them. I'm sure there will be more posts to follow.

Thanks for all the help so far.

Jamie

 

[soccerkidbs]

sounds great. now for the fun part. the wait...