CRS Benibachi set up disaster.

CaCl2, Epsom Salt, Baking Soda, Lemon Juice, Aerate...They Don't Like It But It Works

Hi,

Obviously, I am not an expert, so my apologies for answering...

I have not used Mosura GH booster, but I was under the impression it was supposed to add some alkalinity.

Also I have never used and I am not at all familiar with Shirakura, with Benibachi Bee max and Benibachi Mineral powder. If you could scan labels or point me to a website, I will probably figure out the rest tomorrow, well, later today.

For now I will assume the 0-dKH is correct.

Alkalinity… I know “they” do not like such talk around here, but alkalinity under 15-ppm or so is asking for trouble.

The more general answer is a failure to reconstitute the water properly.

My general advice is KH over 70-ppm (4-dKH) especially when starting out. There are a few plants and a few critters that need low KH, still under 1-dKH is hazardous.

Life is much simpler if you maintain 4-9-dKH and 5-9-dGH, higher than “9-d” is preferable to less than “4-d” in either.

I know many folks that study biological filtration tend to say 100-ppm (~5.6-dKH) alkalinity is optimum.

I am actually not trying to be funny, but the “outhouse” smells you describe means it is not anaerobic, which oddly enough is a good sign for your next attempt.

How are the critters? Plants?

My method to reconstitute 50-liters of RO:

• 7-grams CaCl[SUB]2[/SUB]•6H[SUB]2[/SUB]O (most common form of Calcium chloride), it also happens CaCl[SUB]2[/SUB] is particularly good for helping keep ammonia in line during cycling.
• 3-grams of Epsom salt
• 5-grams baking soda
• A dash of lemon juice
• Mix well to aerate.

Biollante

 

I Will, For A Small Fee, Be Happy To Validate Your Rant

Hi,

My humble apologies, no intention to offend, you have added information I did not have when I posted my response.

Let me also say I commiserate, having been a Dupla dupe, myself. At the same time, I have to admit that my “wrong turn” with Dupla led me to a better understanding of the hobby.:highly_amused: Without such errors, we do not progress, may be the price for progress. I hope however, it turns out the same is true in your case.

In the event this is not just a rant for which you were looking for validation, I will continue this as though it is a serious search for answers. More information always helps.

Your links to Benibachi products provide no useful information about the products, to me the first clue they should not be used. I can guess at most and I see nothing “magical” or even complex. :disillusionment:

Point taken, you desire low KH based on your belief the colors are enhanced. I am not disputing this, I honestly do not know. I also keep fish that like very low KH, so I am sympathetic.

Technically the level of salts I recommend would make waste control far easier.

If as you assert the CRS will not shine, as brightly that is another issue, one I would be interested in exploring, osmotic pressure, perhaps. I see many products that promise more color that is vibrant.

Again, I am sorry to disagree but there is demonstrably a difference in the effectiveness of the Calcium compounds used, and some may think the addition of sulfates may be less desirable than chloride, for instance.

Correlation is not causation, I think it is hard to make a case with so many variables in one try out of three, only the US Navy would (and has) excepted such weak statistical basis for decision making and the results were disastrous. Don’t be the US Navy…

Anyway, you may have simply learned what the kind people of Dupla taught me.

• The simple way is usually best.
• We are largely in control of what is in our tanks.
  • Make sure you know what is in the products you are adding.

Anyway if you are interested in further thought say so, either way have a long and happy life.

Biollante