Alk&Calc

[OneFish]

Asked it in a different thread but figured it might get a little more attention here. Thanks in advance!

Ok, I just got my Red Sea test kit in the mail today and tested Alk and Calcium. They were 11 dKH and 360 ppm, respectively. How do I go about dosing now that my alk is fine and my calcium is low? Should I bring calcium up to 430ish tonight or should I keep testing over the next few days and gradually raise it up and if so, how? Do I have to dose alk with calcium? I have 2 part b-ionic that I am going to be using.

noob with 25g lagoon
mixed reef with a few sps that could be doing better
first time dosing

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d make a one time corrective boost to the calcium using just the calcium part. Then don’t dose again until alk declines.

 

[OneFish]

I’d make a one time corrective boost to the calcium using just the calcium part. Then don’t dose again until alk declines.

Would I add all of the calcium tonight? Or should I do it in increments each day until it gets to the proper levels. Would it shock the system in any way?

 

[TheAquarian]

I believe that when Randy said “ one time correction” he meant add the calcium part only at the correct amount to raise your calcium to 430 tonight in one dose.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sorry, I should have been clearer. It is probably Ok to add it at once, but I'd boost it over a period of a day or two. Maybe in individual 25 ppm boosts.

 

[Gil03]

I would gradually raise your calcium over days with the second part of the two part which contains the calcium I believe. I wouldn't dose Alk since it's a bit high imo.