Alkalinity? Why is it important and why test?

[Angelscrx]

I know this might sound like a dumb question but I only test for the major stuff like ammonia, nitrite, and ph. Is alkalinity something else I should be testing for or will the proper calcium levels maintain alkalinity. How does it work and how does it impact my tank? Thank all.

[Zack]

Hey
The link belowe is all about the diffrent elemnts and such in opur tanks. there is a great part about alkalinity and from there I hope it helps. Please let us know if you have any questions. http://www.coralforum.com/reference57.html

Zack

[jman785]

Angelscrx,

To keep it simple for you...Alkalinity is to keep pH values from swinging, and its a buffer. It helps stabilize the pH values basically. Thus controlling the pH more effectively.

So hopefully that response, can answer both of your questions,

Why its important, and why we test.

[miztahphong2]

right

[Angelscrx]

Hey
The link belowe is all about the diffrent elemnts and such in opur tanks. there is a great part about alkalinity and from there I hope it helps. Please let us know if you have any questions. http://www.coralforum.com/reference57.html

Zack

Great link thanks I understand how the alkalinity and ph now work together but my final question is should test for one and not the other or should I test for both? Thanks

[Zack]

Hey
Yes you really should test for both as there is no way to know by just testing one of them if the other one is off the chart.

[sweetmisery]

But is there such an alkalinity test? The only brand here is Sera, and even in their site, they have lots but no alkalinity.

[MikeS]

yes, there are lots of alk test kits available. Some measure dKH (degrees of carbonate hardness) which is basically the same measurement.

Mike

[Angelscrx]

Ok thanks all. Will test for both.

[jman785]

If your alkalinity is off, then you really shouldn't try adjusting the pH, because 95% of the time, the pH will be wrong because the Alk, isn't right.

[jman785]

The pH follows your alkalinity ;)

[MikeS]

here's a good basic definition on the measurement of the two as the pertain to our tanks...

pH is the degree to which a solution is either acid (<7) or basic (>7).

Alkaline is the degree to which a basic solution will resist a negative shift in pH.

Mike

[Angelscrx]

Thanks MikeJS and thanks everyone.