How important is alkalinity?

[rjcatlin]

Yesterday, I tested my water and I saw that the alkalinity was at zero, it has always been that way. The rest of the readings were good though.

 

[corrado33]

Alkalinity is important to prevent pH swings. An alkalinity of zero is not good. It is possible that your tank is buffered by something else, but not guaranteed. If your pH stays constant, then it's buffered by SOMETHING, and I wouldn't mess with it. I'd measure your pH throughout the weekend pretty often, maybe every two hours or so just to see what happens.

 

[Crepe]

Alk? Are you talking about GH or KH?

 

[corrado33]

I generally associate "alkalinity" with carbonate alkalinity, so I was guessing KH. (Since in the wild most alkalinity is carbonate alkalinity)

 

[Crepe]

A lot of things affect alk. GH is a more complete analysis of alkalinity than KH.

 

[Alpha_03]

A "0" reading really doesn't matter unless you have very specfic inverts or corals.

Alkalinity is nothing more then the waters ability to to neutralize a given acid- hence, question the testing method used.

If nitrates, nitrites, and phosporous are ok- happy reefing to ya- your ok.

Most important are water temp's, and obviously, the aforementioned. If you have a good set up (sump & skimmer that are sized correctly, and good live rock) let mother nature do her job- this takes time.

Remember, only top off with RO/DI water, you'll be fine.

 

[mgamer20o0]

A "0" reading really doesn't matter unless you have very specfic inverts or corals.

Alkalinity is nothing more then the waters ability to to neutralize a given acid- hence, question the testing method used.

If nitrates, nitrites, and phosporous are ok- happy reefing to ya- your ok.

Most important are water temp's, and obviously, the aforementioned. If you have a good set up (sump & skimmer that are sized correctly, and good live rock) let mother nature do her job- this takes time.

Remember, only top off with RO/DI water, you'll be fine.

glad it seems to be a fw set up since its in the fw section and not have to worry about that lol

 

[taylorodw]

Alpha, this is FW so that advice needs to be adapted a little.

KH (carbonate hardness) is a measure of the water's ability to maintain pH, among other things.

It's important, but if you do frequent water changes that will keep your pH from crashing anyway.

Edit: MG beat me to that

 

[rjcatlin]

I am referring to KH, sorry for any confusion. Could it possibly my water source? I have a well.

 

[Crepe]

Maybe. I have 49% well water with 11KH so it's not definite. You can just buy some crushed coral and drop a palm-ful or three into your HOB or canister.

 

[Alpha_03]

Hey ease up now, I am new here I didnt realize where I was.

 

[logansmomma1228]

Hey ease up now, I am new here I didnt realize where I was.

It usually helps if you read the section you are going into. I.E. this is FW General Discussion. Also, it says right under the thread title what section it is in...
Lol.

 

[rjcatlin]

I have a Fluval 304 filter, I bet they have something for helping the KH.

 

[rjcatlin]

I wonder if maybe the KH is low because my filter carbon media is shot, I have never changed it.

 

[mgamer20o0]

Hey ease up now, I am new here I didnt realize where I was.

lost salties.... lol

 

[krap101]

Crushed coral should raise your kh.

I don't think carbon has anything to do with kh. I think it only sucks up organics within the water.

 

[rjcatlin]

Why crushed coral?

 

[krap101]

Crushed coral is made of of shells, which are made up of calcium carbonate. When it dissolves, it raises your kH

 

[rjcatlin]

Ok, thanks.

 

[rjcatlin]

So I could just add it to my gravel. Even though its a FW tank.