help raising Ak

L

LISound

AC Members
Jan 26, 2005
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Long Island
www.dreamstreet.com
FS tested water after cycle all good
Ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0-trace
calcium 400ppm
AK Low---about 90

So LFS gave me Kent Marine (Tech CB) Calcium buffer part a & part b
so 2 bottles.

i have a KH/GH test kit-which LFS also said i needed, and a Ca Test kit.

ok...so reading directions on bottle, they make no sense to me. I don't understand how this stuff works
if i add both parts it will also raise the Ca level in the tank which is perfect now.

any help---Thanks
 
Add the part that raises alkalinity. Probably called "part 1," because it's normally added first. That's one of the nice things about 2 part additives, you can adjust Ca and alkalinity separately.
 
part b says "now stronger 7840 dKh

that's all i can see about Alkalinity?
very confusing to me...i just want to know which is the Ak booster and it dosen't really say on either bottle.
directions say use together to boost both..
thanks
 
It needs to be in two parts, because having concentrated calcium and carbonate in the same bottle would give you a bottle of insoluble limestone.

When Ca and alk are in balance, you add them both in the same amounts to maintain the levels at the right place. When they are imbalanced, as in your case, you need to add more of one than the other. You will still probably need to add Ca, just less than the alk for the moment.

Here's a simple test for which is which. Add say 10 ml of one to the tank. Did it make a cloud? Then it's the alkalinity supplement. The Ca supplement should make some swirly lines as it mixes, but no cloud.

Getting your dosage right will take a little time. Add a reasonable amount of the supplement, wait at least half a day, test. Adjust daily dosage until things are as you like them.
 
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