Lowering alkalinity, Ben's method...

[steveinaz]

Thought it would be interesting to see a play-by-play of how Ben's method works. I'll do TA tests everyday at 4pm to document progress. The "starting" info:

FC=5ppm
CC=0ppm
PH=7.6
TA=210ppm
CYA=45ppm
CH=200ppm
Water temp=61 degrees
Aireation method= waterfall 15hrs (6am-9pm), floor jets 9hrs (9pm-6am)
TA Targeted=120ppm
Filtering=24hrs
SWCG= Not on yet. Chlorination done with bleach.

3/12/07
4pm: PH=7.6, TA=210ppm; added 20oz's of muriatic acid, turned waterfall on.
9pm: Waterfall off, 5hrs run time.

3/13/07
6am: PH=7.7; added 20oz's of muriatic acid, turned waterfall on.
4pm: PH=7.7, TA=190ppm; added 8oz's of muriatic acid. Turned off waterfall. Ended aireation.

3/14/07
6am: PH=7.6, TA=190ppm

Due to circumstances, I had to stop here for now. Will try it again in mid April if TA is still high.