Help with KH

[bbwlkrsn]

Having trouble bringing our kh up. It stays at about 3 degrees. We have been using kents superbuffer for about a 2 weeks and nothing. Any suggestions?

[Original Fin]

Where is your magnesium and calcium sitting currently?

[bbwlkrsn]

Calcium is 500. I dont have a magnesium test yet. My lps was out of them the last time i was there.

[Original Fin]

These three parameters combined will control PH when in balance. This is what you want to shoot for.

Calcium - - - Alkalinity - - - - Magnesium
- (ppm) - - - dKH - meq/l - - - (ppm)
410 - - - - - - 7.0 - - 2.50 - - - - 1300
414 - - - - - - 7.5 - - 2.67 - - - - 1300
417 - - - - - - 8.0 - - 2.35 - - - - 1350
421 - - - - - - 8.5 - - 3.03 - - - - 1350
425 - - - - - - 9.0 - - 3.21 - - - - 1350
428 - - - - - - 9.5 - - 3.39 - - - - 1375
432 - - - - - -10.0 - -3.57 - - - - 1375
435 - - - - - -10.5 - -3.75 - - - - 1400
439 - - - - - -11.0 - -3.92 - - - - 1400

Your calcium is high, so that might be part of the problem. I would ditch the super buffer as it is not ionically balanced with whatever you use to supplement calcium, so they are fighting eachother. Look for a 2 part supplement for cal and Alk. You will need to supplement magnesium as well, if not a this moment, eventually. Testing is the only way to know if and when to dose, and how much. This holds true for all trace elements.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

And in case you were in the mood for reading....
Chemistry And The Aquarium: Solving Calcium And Alkalinity Problems — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine

[bbwlkrsn]

Thanks for the help. Will try a two part system.

[Original Fin]