Need help to determine alk/calc consumption

[2ndTimeCharm]

Hi,
3 mos into a mixed 75 gallon reef (110 system total), 5 SPS frags (2 acro, 2 monte, 1 S. Hystrix)

ph 7.8-7.9 am, 7.9-8.0 end of light cycle.

Past few mornings, my Alk has been testing around 3.6-3.7, and I've been dosing Reef Builder to bring it back to 4. Also dosing 2 tsp Kalk manual drip overnight, 25 ml white vinegar just to keep the airhose from clogging.

Calcium has been also around 350-360 in the morning, have been adding 6-8 tsp Turbo Calk per day as well.

The 1 gallon Kalk drip is spread over about 14-16 hrs.

Magnesium testing this morning to 1185, I dose Max Brightwell about 1-2x week.

Coralline growth was aggressive a few weeks ago, has slowed somewhat recently. SPS appear to be fine, growing slowly.

Are my Alk/Calcium drops due to consumption, or am I somehow precipitating these values out?

Thanks in advance,

 

[2ndTimeCharm]

Anyone? Would 5 SPS frags consume this much Alk/Calc, or am I doing something very wrong?




Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[2ndTimeCharm]

Bump. Was I rude? Is something unclear?


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[AlohaTropics]

Hi, what is your alk in dkh measurements?

Also, you need to bring up your Mg. Alk, Ca, and Mg have direct chemical correlations with each other so if they aren't all at proper levels, it will be difficult to get them individually correct.

Your alk should be somewhere between 6.5 - 8.5 dkh.

Also, I would stop the kalk dosing. Dosing kalk is best AFTER all of your parameters are set.

I would start by making sure your dkh is correct. I have 3 products that will benefit your situation.

Aquavitro 8.4 - will bring you dkh up to proper levels while maintaining your pH at near 8.4 levels.

Aquavitro Calcification - Gluconate Calcium. Much better than calcium chloride. Eliminates a step for easier breakdown and utilization by corals.

Aquvitro Ions - balanced Magnesium.

Use these three products together and you should see your levels improve. I can sell you all 3 (450ml bottles) for $25.

After your levels have been corrected (7.5dkh, 450ppm Ca, 1250ppm Mg) then you can restart kalk dosing with topoff water. I dose Kalk and I highly recommend it. But I also supplement 8.4 and Calcification because kalk water alone isn't enough.

PM if you wanna try the Aquavitro, I guarantee it will help!

Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[2ndTimeCharm]

Thanks I will try to push my Mag higher but I think I'm in the ballpark already. Assuming I get Mag up to 1300 or higher what would the normal Alk/Calc consumption be on a tank like mine?

Ps No offense, but the last thing I need is someone selling me more additives right now. Every LFS around has already hit me up for every Alk/buffer/Calc imaginable already. But thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[AlohaTropics]

No Problem, just make sure your levels are:

Alkalinity: 6.5 - 8.5 dkh
Calcium: 400-450ppm
Magnesium: 1200-1300ppm

The easiest way to do it and to keep everything in good ionic balance is by doing water changes. I would suggest a 10% water change everyday for 7 days. As long as you are using a good salt and not a cheap one, the parameters should be pretty good.

Its impossible for anyone to calculate your dkh and Ca usage without actually testing. You want to have all of your levels correct and your corals healthy. Then Test over a period of 2-3 days and you will find out your daily consumption.

Just make sure you aren't dosing unecessary stuff like buffering agents. Sodium Carbonate is a good way to increase dkh and raising pH at the same time. Sodium Bicarbonate will raise your dkh while very very subtly lowering your pH. But all in all, if your having trouble keeping proper parameters, it could mean that your water is not ionically balanced and water changes are the best way to correct that.

 

[THEDLO]

what u need to do is like aloha said: get ur levels up to where they should be, then dont dose anything for 4 days, test every day then average out the drop of cal and alk between each day, and does accordingly. ur adding to much imo. all u need is cal alk on a daily basis, i dont get y u dose kalk 2 times 2 different methods. and like said above kalk is good once levels are were they should be. also after the levels are brought up u must dose cal and alk equally. so if u do 1 cup cal u must do 1 cup of alk.

i keep my levels at:
cal 450
alk/dkh 10-11
mag 1500

 

[2ndTimeCharm]

Just want to thank everyone for weighing in.

After 5x10% water changes and a boatload of Magnesium (my missing link all along) I am at:
3 meq/l Alk 415 Ca Mag 1350

This is the first Ca I've tested over 400 since Nov 27th.

So, Magnesium it was. I admit being a very slow learner.

NOW I can start to get a handle on maintenance dosing!

 

[Mattl22]

I have a tank full of sps frags and my calcium and alk don't change enough I don't even dose I just do 10 gal water change 1 time a week

 

[Mattl22]

It's also 75 gal