Ratios of EQUILIBRIUM; ALKALINE BUFFER; and ACID BUFFER

[Gator_Jay]

Please help determine correct ratios of Seachem products to achieve target freshwater parameters
Ratios of EQUILIBRIUM; ALKALINE BUFFER; and ACID BUFFER to achieve and maintain a stable pH of 6.5; GH = 2 meq/L; KH = 2 meq/L

QUESTION 1: Ratios of EQUILIBRIUM; ALKALINE BUFFER; and ACID BUFFER to achieve and maintain a stable pH of 6.5; GH = 2 meq/L; KH = 2 meq/L;

Please Note: Ratio based upon per 5 gallons RO/DI water units

I am setting up a 325 gallon freshwater planted tank. Will use RO/DI water exclusively for initial fill and water changes.

Tank will have four (04) large Mopani driftwood pieces. I have included this detail in case potential impact of driftwood on pH.

TARGET REMINERALIZED WATER PARAMETERS;

pH = 6.5
GH = 2 meq/L
KH = 2 meq/L

QUESTION 2: Will there be difficulty maintaining desired pH, GH, and KH in newly established aquarium? If so, does Seachem recommend adding additional product to speed up nitrogen cycle?

I will be adding Mopani driftwood, Anubias plants [several species], several pounds of seeded gravel from established aquarium. Hopefully, these additions will aid in speeding up the establishment of nitrogen cycle.

PLEASE NOTE: I have provided my calculations below to give idea of my train of thought. Definitely correct me if I am off track. This is my first attempt to use RO/DI water. Once target water parameters are established, will continue to use 100% RODI water for all freshwater aquariums.

Thank you,

Jay

__________________________________________________

MY CALCULATIONS; PLEASE NOTE THAT I RECEIVED CONFLICTING SEACHEM TOOL RESULTS FOR SEACHEM ALKALINE BUFFER

REQUESTED CLARIFICATION:
Amount of EQUILIBRIUM; ALKALINE BUFFER; and ACID BUFFER required to bring RO/DI water to pH 6.5 and Carbonate Hardness (KH) level to 2 meq/L KH for 325 gallons of RO/DI water

REQUESTER:
Jay Alexander

CONFLICTING SEACHEM TOOL RESULTS FOR SEACHEM ALKALINE BUFFER

CONCERN:
Widely differing Seachem Alkaline Buffer quantities returned when using the ALKALINE BUFFER CALCULATOR ( https://seachem.com/calculators.php ) tool versus TARGETING pH WITH ACID BUFFER & ALKALINE BUFFER CHART ( https://seachem.zendesk.com/hc/en-us...__Alk_Buff.png ).

NOTE 1: The ALKALINE BUFFER CALCULATOR indicates 227.5 grams (32.5 tsps.) of SEACHEM ALKALINE BUFFER required to bring 350 gallons of RO/DI water to CARBONATE HARDNESS (KH) level to 2 meq/L KH

NOTE 2: The SEACHEM ALKALINE BUFFER dose calculation, based upon TARGETING pH WITH ACID BUFFER & ALKALINE BUFFER CHART is 97.5 grams SEACHEM ALKALINE BUFFER required to bring 350 gallons of RO/DI water to CARBONATE HARDNESS (KH) level to 2 meq/L KH

TARGET WATER PARAMETERS:
Reconstitute/remineralize reverse osmosis/deionized (RO/DI) water to reach target freshwater planted 350-gallon (estimated gallonage for discussion; actual gallonage determined during system initial fill) aquarium.

pH: 6.5

CARBONATE HARDNESS (KH): 2 meq/L KH
Given: 2 meq/L is equal to 5.6 dKH carbonate hardness

GENERAL HARDNESS (GH): 2 meq/L GH (dKH carbonate hardness [KH])
Given: 2 meq/L is equal to 5.6 dGH

TEMPERATURE: 76 to 78 degree Fahrenheit

SEACHEM PRODUCTS TO BE USED:
EQUILIBRIUM (Raises GH)
ALKALINE BUFFER (Raises KH and pH)
ACID BUFFER (Lowers KH and pH. Use together with Alkaline Buffer to target a pH)

AMOUNT OF SEACHEM PRODUCTS REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE TARGET WATER PARAMETERS

NOTE: Product quantities listed below based upon my calculations using EQUILIBRIUM CALCULATOR and TARGETING pH WITH ACID BUFFER & ALKALINE BUFFER CHART

EQUILIBRIUM: 520 grams

NOTE 1: 520 grams (32.5 tbsp) quantity matches EQUILIBRIUM CALCULATOR

NOTE 2: 520 grams (32.5 tbsp) quantity matches TARGETING pH WITH ACID BUFFER & ALKALINE BUFFER CHART

ALKALINE BUFFER: 97.5 grams

NOTE: 97.5 grams quantity based upon TARGETING pH WITH ACID BUFFER & ALKALINE BUFFER CHART

ACID BUFFER: 78 grams

NOTE: 78 grams quantity based upon TARGETING pH WITH ACID BUFFER & ALKALINE BUFFER CHART

CALCULATIONS:
NOTE: Calculated quantities are amounts I plan to use unless Seachem provides different amounts.

EQUILIBRIUM DOSING: 520 grams
Given:
Target: Reconstituted RODI water is pH 6.5; General Hardness of 2 meq/L (5.6 dGH); Carbonate Hardness (KH): 2 meq/L (5.6 dKH)
Unit = 5 Gallons
Aquarium Gallonage = 325 Gallons
Extrapolated (5-gallon unit to 325-gallon aquarium; 65-unit multiplier)
8 grams of EQUILIBRIUM x 65 Units = 520 grams EQUILIBRIUM

NOTE 1: 4 grams of SEACHEM EQUILIBRIUM increases General Hardness (GH) by about 1 meq/L (3 dGH).
NOTE 2: My target reconstituted RODI water is pH 6.5; General Hardness of 2 meq/L (5.6 dGH); Carbonate Hardness (KH): 2 meq/L (5.6 dKH)
NOTE 3: 520 grams SEACHEM EQUILIBRIUM matches EQUILIBRIUM CALCULATOR

ALKALINE BUFFER DOSING: 97.5 grams
Given:
Target: Reconstituted RODI water is pH 6.5; General Hardness of 2 meq/L (5.6 dGH); Carbonate Hardness (KH): 2 meq/L (5.6 dKH)
Unit = 5 Gallons
Aquarium Gallonage = 325 Gallons
Extrapolated (5-gallon unit to 325-gallon aquarium; 65-unit multiplier)
1.5 grams of ALKALINE BUFFER x 65 Units = 97.5 grams ALKALINE BUFFER

ACID BUFFER: 78 grams
Given:
Target: Reconstituted RODI water is pH 6.5; General Hardness of 2 meq/L (5.6 dGH); Carbonate Hardness (KH): 2 meq/L (5.6 dKH)
Unit = 5 Gallons
Aquarium Gallonage = 325 Gallons
Extrapolated (5-gallon unit to 325-gallon aquarium; 65-unit multiplier)
Formula: 1.2 grams of ACID BUFFER x 65 Units = 78 grams ACID BUFFER

[Tech Support AN]

Thanks for the post, Gator_Jay!

If you can please email our support team at [email protected], we can provide you with a different calculator that will be helpful for you. Unfortunately, we cannot attach it in this platform. Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!