Help with inherited reef tank

Bring the SG/Salinity up first, this should improve the PH. You'll need to
do it slowly, ie. 1/1000 point per day over a few days. Not sure what the
conventional wisdom dictates regarding the final salinity level in your part
of the world; your LFS should be able to advise on their conditions as a
guideline. My tank stays at about 1.024.

Once the Salinity is good you can focus on a good buffer if needed, I use
Tropic Marin triple buffer which costs about 11 British Pounds or about U$19
at present exch. rates. You'll need a test kit to measure the calcium and
alkalinity/hardness. Again you need to make smallish adjustments here and
adjust one with consideration to the other.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Chris


"Charles Henderson" wrote in message
...

Temp. 79
Salinity 1.019
PH 7.9
Ammonia 0

So, what are your suggestions for getting the water chemistry right?
Bring the PH up first? How best to do that? Add the aragonite *first*,
as a buffer? There's a kalkwasser generator in the cabinet that's yet to
be brought online...

In article ,
"Chris Taylor" wrote:

Bring the SG/Salinity up first, this should improve the PH. You'll need to
do it slowly, ie. 1/1000 point per day over a few days. Not sure what the
conventional wisdom dictates regarding the final salinity level in your part
of the world; your LFS should be able to advise on their conditions as a
guideline. My tank stays at about 1.024.

Thanks, Chris. I didn't realize I was aiming too low, salinity-wise.

Once the Salinity is good you can focus on a good buffer if needed, I use
Tropic Marin triple buffer which costs about 11 British Pounds or about U$19
at present exch. rates. You'll need a test kit to measure the calcium and
alkalinity/hardness. Again you need to make smallish adjustments here and
adjust one with consideration to the other.

Does live sand act as a PH buffer, or is that only crushed coral that
does that?

Thanks again,

--Charlie Henderson

Does live sand act as a PH buffer, or is that only crushed coral that does
that?

Honest answer:- I don't know. I use crushed coral. Many on this NG use Live
Sand and would be better placed to advise.

Comments?


"Charles Henderson" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Chris Taylor" wrote:

Does live sand act as a PH buffer, or is that only crushed coral that
does that?

Does live sand act as a PH buffer, or is that only crushed coral that
does that?

they both could, however neither really do.

to get good buffering out of either your tank ph has to be LOW, you can search
groups.google.com for past discussions(look for one from boomer.) but i think for real
buffering the ph had to be in the low 7's. if your tank ph is that low, you have other
issues besides CC or sand.


--
Richard Reynolds