Alk And Ph Tests, Help Please.

[FLcracker94]

Hi,
I've got all the test kits I need exept for PH and Alk...sortof.
I've been using my dad's PH and Alk kit for pools. Does anyone know how to convert this to saltwater ppms? Right now it read 8.0 for PH and 150ppm for alk (I'm guessing the pool kit is like the FW kits). I added a teaspoon of carbonate to raise alk and PH a bit (8.4 for PH)

If Alk is higher than 300ppm and PH is higher than 8.4 (Ideal for SW) will it be a problem or will it eventually just slowley go down, not causeing problems for the fish?

 

[SkiFletch]

If Alk is higher than 300ppm and PH is higher than 8.4 (Ideal for SW) will it be a problem or will it eventually just slowley go down, not causeing problems for the fish?

It'll go down, but how quickly depends on a myriad of factors... It could go down in a matter of hours, or a matter of days. Flowrate, surface agitation, calcium concentration, magnesium concentration, nutrients, and amount of calcifying organisms all play a role here. If you have decent flow and agitation, chances are it won't crash, but if your calc and mg are way out of whack, all the stirring in the world won't matter.

I'd suggest you start reading some articles on saltwater chemistry which may outline to you how bad blind dosing can be. It is far from simple, but if you start dosing to control chemistry you HAVE to know what's going on.

 

[FLcracker94]

I'm going to get an alk and ph kit this week.

 

[kkyyllee]

as long as ur ph isnt under 7.8 dont does anyting,

 

[Matthew5664]

the pH sounds right the Alk is prob carbonate harnedd in CaCO3 ppm equvilents, now 150ppm is = to 8.4 dKh or 3meq/l hope that helps

 

[FLcracker94]

the pH sounds right the Alk is prob carbonate harnedd in CaCO3 ppm equvilents, now 150ppm is = to 8.4 dKh or 3meq/l hope that helps

What is 8.4 dkh? and 3 meq?

Can you put it into PPM if its possible? I think it should be like, 300PPM shouldn't it?

Whats CaCO3 ppm equivelents?

Geeze, I know alot, but I dont know anything about alk measurments... lol...

 

[SkiFletch]

150ppm is = to 8.4 dKh or 3meq/l

They're just different units of equal measure. 150ppm carbonate is the same as 8.4dKH which is the same as 3meq/l. Most often aquarists use the dKH or meq/l scales when discussing alkalinity.