Trying to safely increase my alk

Hey everyone I just did the battery of tests for my tank and my alk is coming in low along with my ph. When I bought my tank it came with a buffer agent that is said to help increase alk. It is from red sea which I feel is reputable do you think I should use this buffer? or do you have any other helpful hints on how to get my alk up. Thanks in advance!

Add a little baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). A little goes a long way, so use sparingly, just dissolve in water, then slowly add to tank. Not sure about the Red Sea stuff, never used it, but baking soda is a great and inexpensive way to add alkalinity.


Be careful not to confuse baking soda with baking powder, baking powder is a blend of various chemicals that have nothing to do with alkalinity.

Originally Posted by spinycheek

Add a little baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). A little goes a long way, so use sparingly, just dissolve in water, then slowly add to tank. Not sure about the Red Sea stuff, never used it, but baking soda is a great and inexpensive way to add alkalinity.


Be careful not to confuse baking soda with baking powder, baking powder is a blend of various chemicals that have nothing to do with alkalinity.

great advice.. plus i'll add, dont raise it more then 1 dkh per day, and i'd split that into at least 2 doses, more if you can. use the chemistry calculater link here... click portal at the top left of your screen, it'll be on that page down a bit on the left..
btw....what numbers do you have for alk?

Add a little baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). A little goes a long way, so use sparingly, just dissolve in water, then slowly add to tank. Not sure about the Red Sea stuff, never used it, but baking soda is a great and inexpensive way to add alkalinity.

Thanks spinycheek that sounds like a much better/safer way to raise the alk then a bottle of chemicals.

what numbers do you have for alk?

When I did the titration for the alk today it read as low as 1.9 but I assume some error is involved when doing such tests but I think that number is still way too low and needs to be improved I think this is also a factor in the high MG and lower ph I have.

When in doubt of your testing results.... ALWAYS double check before dosing....especially when it seems WAY off... check wit a friends kit/water.... have your LFS double check for ya, or mix up some fresh saltwater and give it a test.

Now, just an idea, but if it's only the Alk that's off, shouldn't you bake the stuff first? I can't remember what that gets rid of.

Baking it first will give you a ph increase when its used... more like a temporary "Ph swing" IMO.. i just use it straight outta the box these days

Yeah I see no reason to bake it first, I think all you'll effectively accomplish is precipitating out calcium when you add it and in the end, achieving the same exact thing.

1.9 meq/l=5.32 dkh so yes its low. Type in your test results to this calculator along with the produce your using and it will tell you exactly how much to add to get your Alk where you want 'Reef Chemistry Calculator FV'

There is a link to that calculator on the portal page on the left hand side.

Originally Posted by rgrking

Now, just an idea, but if it's only the Alk that's off, shouldn't you bake the stuff first? I can't remember what that gets rid of.

Baking it removes CO2 from the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) turning it into washing soda (sodium carbonate)

Originally Posted by spinycheek

Yeah I see no reason to bake it first, I think all you'll effectively accomplish is precipitating out calcium when you add it and in the end, achieving the same exact thing.

Yes, over time the water will draw in more CO2 and the PH will drop right back to where it was before. There really isnt any good products you can add to keep Alk up high. If your worried about low PH then drip a little kalk every day and or run your skimmer air line out side so your adding fresh air to the water.

so did you try any of these suggestion reefwanderer? how are the levels looking now?

What are some of the causes for low alk?

Calcification