Can you mix the two together for dosing solution?
I know...why? Do one or the other right?
Background: I have a small 24gal nano (approx 20gal water volume). The tank is 15 months old, and fully stocked with mostly lps corals. Daily consumption of Calc and Alk is about 8ml each (BRS 2 part). I dose this daily to keep somewhat stable numbers in the range 420-440ppm and 7.5-8.5dkh. I manually dose morning and evening. (Not really interested in dosing pumps, don't have space for them and storage containers.) Prior to starting my daily dosing regiment, the PH was very stable at 8.2. I measured morning, night, mid-day, and late night. Always the same. Then I started dosing 2 part and it has been climbing.
The Problem: I am having trouble keeping my PH below 8.4 (ideally want it 8.2). Dosing sodium carbonate has raised the PH to 8.4, sometimes 8.5 or higher, and my tank holds the high PH.
Ok, I know 8.4 isn't dangerously high. However, I was thinking that sodium carbonate raises PH, sodium bicarbonate lowers PH. Maybe if I mix the two, I can get a dosing solution that won't raise or lower my PH. Any thoughts, comments or suggestions?
I know...why? Do one or the other right?
Background: I have a small 24gal nano (approx 20gal water volume). The tank is 15 months old, and fully stocked with mostly lps corals. Daily consumption of Calc and Alk is about 8ml each (BRS 2 part). I dose this daily to keep somewhat stable numbers in the range 420-440ppm and 7.5-8.5dkh. I manually dose morning and evening. (Not really interested in dosing pumps, don't have space for them and storage containers.) Prior to starting my daily dosing regiment, the PH was very stable at 8.2. I measured morning, night, mid-day, and late night. Always the same. Then I started dosing 2 part and it has been climbing.
The Problem: I am having trouble keeping my PH below 8.4 (ideally want it 8.2). Dosing sodium carbonate has raised the PH to 8.4, sometimes 8.5 or higher, and my tank holds the high PH.
Ok, I know 8.4 isn't dangerously high. However, I was thinking that sodium carbonate raises PH, sodium bicarbonate lowers PH. Maybe if I mix the two, I can get a dosing solution that won't raise or lower my PH. Any thoughts, comments or suggestions?