Alkalinity and Calcium Not Rising

[revhtree]

Hello Dr. @Randy Holmes-Farley!

I have this new 450g or so system and for the life of me I can't get the Alkalinity and Calcium to raise. I am using the Apex dose currently dosing 150ml of both during the day and night. Just started adding corals a few weeks ago but considering the water amount there shouldn't be much demand.

Along with that I have been dosing 300-400ml of each every day to try to raise it but the ALK won't respond and the Cal is starting to slowly rise.

Alk is 7dkh and Cal is 430.

Thanks.

 

[Keenan]

what's your Mag at?

 

[revhtree]

what's your Mag at?

Maybe I should test....kicks rocks...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If it is new, the magnesium will reflect what is in the mix. What mix?

This is a two part like my recipe from BRS?

If so, you are only adding about 1 dKH per day. Even a soft coral tank with coralline can use 2 dKH per day.

What happens if you add twice as much?

 

[jason2459]

How many fish do you have?

 

[revhtree]

If it is new, the magnesium will reflect what is in the mix. What mix?

This is a two part like my recipe from BRS?

If so, you are only adding about 1 dKH per day. Even a soft coral tank with coralline can use 2 dKH per day.

What happens if you add twice as much?

I am using Fritz Pro Salt. I am using the recipe from BRS. I have been hesitant to add more but I sure could double it up and give it a try.

 

[revhtree]

How many fish do you have?

Like 6..lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I wouldn't jump to 2 x instantly, but if that's what it takes, that's not excessive. I'd slowly ramp it up and monitor alkalinity.

 

[revhtree]

Maybe an extra 100ml per day on top of what I am already doing?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'd try 50 extra each for several days and see what happens. Then another 50 if its not moving.

 

[revhtree]

The last couple of days I added an extra 100ml and haven't seen it budge.

 

[revhtree]

Let me also say this as it may offer some more insight. I have developed a hard white layer in my sump where I have been adding the manual daily does. It crusts right off but it's obviously not getting into the water crusted to the sump?

 

[Keenan]

I'm sure you are, but make sure you're adding it in a high-flow area. White crust is most likely calcium precipitation though.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, add it more slowly to a high flow area. Maybe split into multiple doses.

Go with 400-450 mL per day for a while. Maybe switch to baking soda from washing soda for the alk part.

 

[revhtree]

Thank you for the help everyone.

 

[GoVols]

I'm sure you are, but make sure you're adding it in a high-flow area. White crust is most likely calcium precipitation though.

+1

 

[aashley]

Make sure your magnesium is at the correct level. Maybe 1350. I made the mistake of not checking mine for several weeks and struggled with keeping the alk and calcium up. I also had a system wide 'crust' problem that I found out came from low magnesium levels. I am not really good at explaining how these things work but here is the link that really helped me. I'm not sure if it is your problem, but it is still pretty informative. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/how-calcium-and-alkalinity-function-in-the-aquarium/

 

[GoVols]

Make sure your magnesium is at the correct level. Maybe 1350. I made the mistake of not checking mine for several weeks and struggled with keeping the alk and calcium up. I also had a system wide 'crust' problem that I found out came from low magnesium levels. I am not really good at explaining how these things work but here is the link that really helped me. I'm not sure if it is your problem, but it is still pretty informative. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/how-calcium-and-alkalinity-function-in-the-aquarium/

+1
Keep your mag at least 3 x your cal so your Cal and Alk ions don't bind together

 

[dstienmann]

Keep upping it, I'm having to dose about 840ml of each a day in my 360g new system my coralline is starting to spread

 

[jwshiver]

Have you calibrated your Apex DOS just to make sure you are actually dosing what you have it programmed to dose? Just a thought.