Total alkalinity

[LukeOscar]

I finally bought some test strips from my LFS, i usually bring my water to get tested as i get full warranty that way.

I never know the exact readings of my tanks, just a thumbs up to know if it tested good bad or in between.

The only thing im unsure of now is the alkalinity.

Im getting readings of 40-80ppm between all 10 of my tanks.

Stocks are: super red arowana
Peacock bass
5clown loaches
Redtail cat
Flowerhorn
Jack dempsey

I breed ghost shrimp, cherry shrimp, snails and rossie reds.

If i need to channge the alkalinity how would i do so?


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[duanes]

Alkalinity is the capacity of water to buffer an acid.
An alkalinity of 40-80ppm is not something you should worry about, it will vary with water change frequency, more water changes more consistent alkalinity.
That 40-80ppm is what is what is keeping uric acid (fish urine) or any other metabolic acid from dropping your pH to dangerous levels.
It is a measure of calcium content, something your shrimp and snails need to manufacture their shells.

 

[LukeOscar]

Is 40-80 good for my snails and shrimp? My shrimp look normal but i have noticed that the larger snails have shells in pretty rough shape.

Adding some aquarium salt will bring up calcium a bit correct?


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[duanes]

80ppm is better than 40ppm, but 40 means there is still that much buffering (a reasonable amount) capacity.
My tanks usually are fluctuate between 80 and 100ppm and the shrimp breed like crazy.
If I slack off on water changes, it drops off.
My tap water starts at about an alkalinity of 100ppm, because its source is Lake Michigan.
Alkalinity is tested by adding a weak acid to the sample, when the sample changes color is when buffering capacity is neutralized.
In the parlance of aquarist lingo, when alkakinity hits 0ppm is when fish urine overwhelms the aquarium.
So if your tap water starts at 100ppm and drops like a rock to 10ppm once it's in the aquarium, you either are either over crowded, or not doing enough water changes.
Alkalinity can be raised by adding baking soda to water change water, but that's not really addressing the issue, unless your tap water starts with a low alkalinity.

 

[MonsterMinis]

I found one of the "safest" ways to buffer a waters calcium content is to use crushed coral. stick a small sock-full ( fist sized or larger depending on system, and an old panty hose works just as well as a filter media sock) into your filter or in the tank, you can't really OD with it as you can baking soda or other powder additives.. unless you are needing to buffer extensively I found this to be the best route. I've used this method many times for anything from african cichlids, to my CBG. You can also use carib-seas african cichlid sand mixes.. as its main component is crushed coral. But a 5-10lb bag from your local is a cheap efficent way to do this. I found marble sized or smaller peices to work best.