Calc Vs Alk

[Bert0089]

What's more important Alk or calcium... I cannot seem to get my calc above 400 and I'm keen to start dosing all for reef but need my levels to be consistent before I can start The other parameters are attached. I'm fairly new to all this and as good as YouTube is it can become a bit of a minefield.
Thanks

 

[Gumbies R Us]

What are you using to test?

How are you maintaining your parameters to begin with? Dosing or water changes?

AFR will raise both your alk and calcium. I would suggest dosing Kalkwasser if you want to raise your calcium, and not all. If all of your corals are doing fine at the level it is right now, then I wouldn't change anything.

 

[Bert0089]

What are you using to test?

How are you maintaining your parameters to begin with? Dosing or water changes?

AFR will raise both your alk and calcium. I would suggest dosing Kalkwasser if you want to raise your calcium, and not all. If all of your corals are doing fine at the level it is right now, then I wouldn't change anything.

Hi, I'm using a NYOS calc test kit but realised it's out of date so I have a salifert kit arriving today... I've been using salifert calcium and weekly 10% water changes to up the calcium... I have also been looking at the Hanna test kits but don't know what one to get first Alk or Calc... My corals seem ok, I have a frogspawn which is sulking... But has been that way for a few weeks. My plan was to get my levels "good" and then install a doing pump for the all for reef. Cheers.

 

[Seansea]

They are both equally important. I have dosed afr for 3 years and i use alk to measure my dosage amount. Calcium will slightly lag behind so i use calcium chloride to dose it. 400 isnt terrible for calcium but i prefer 440 or so just to give you a little buffer in case you get signifigant drop in calcium from a growth spurt or lack of testing for awhile or whatever. Kalk is great for the ph boost but iz way meesier and need alot of it to keep your alk and calc levels up.

 

[Bert0089]

They are both equally important. I have dosed afr for 3 years and i use alk to measure my dosage amount. Calcium will slightly lag behind so i use calcium chloride to dose it. 400 isnt terrible for calcium but i prefer 440 or so just to give you a little buffer in case you get signifigant drop in calcium from a growth spurt or lack of testing for awhile or whatever. Kalk is great for the ph boost but iz way meesier and need alot of it to keep your alk and calc levels up.

So would you say get cal up with the salifert calcium then just start dosing with AFR? or do I test Alk and then dose AFR accordingly? And level cal where it's at?

 

[Seansea]

Get your alk where you want it. I stay between 8-9 personally. Start doding Afr and measure both and then dose calcium as needed. You waont need a doser or anything for the calcium as once a week dose of calcium will suffice.

 

[Bert0089]

Get your alk where you want it. I stay between 8-9 personally. Start doding Afr and measure both and then dose calcium as needed. You waont need a doser or anything for the calcium as once a week dose of calcium will suffice.

My alk is 10 so do I need to reduce that and increase my cal before hand then?

 

[Seansea]

NOt sure how big your tank is but i also dose sodium bicarbonate in my ato just to lesson how much afr i dose as it can get exoensive on large tank. The sodium bicarbonate also buffers your top off water a bit so your not just dosing straight ro/do water.

 

[Bert0089]

NOt sure how big your tank is but i also dose sodium bicarbonate in my ato just to lesson how much afr i dose as it can get exoensive on large tank. The sodium bicarbonate also buffers your top off water a bit so your not just dosing straight ro/do water.

It's 100l I was going to get a dosing pump for the AFR

 

[Seansea]

NO ten is ok if that is where you want it. Just doesnt give you much wiggle room up. Dont want to cruise much higher than 11. I think real seawater is around 7 and alot of coral stores keep it around 8-9. Want to match their values to make acclimation easier. At the end of the day steady is the key. Keep it stable. Corals do not like fluctuation at all

 

[Seansea]

Ok with 100l tank just dosing afr will work

 

[Bert0089]

NO ten is ok if that is where you want it. Just doesnt give you much wiggle room up. Dont want to cruise much higher than 11. I think real seawater is around 7 and alot of coral stores keep it around 8-9. Want to match their values to make acclimation easier. At the end of the day steady is the key. Keep it stable. Corals do not like fluctuation at all

Like I said I have a frogspawn that's been sulking for weeks and I can't get it happy

 

[Bert0089]

Would you recommend an alk Hanna tester over calc one?

 

[Seansea]

Would you recommend an alk Hanna tester over calc one?

Most def. Hannah alk tester a must. I use salifert calcium tester and it works good. Once you get calcium kind of dialed in you will only test once a month or so. Alk can change fast depending on alot of factors

 

[Bert0089]

Thank you so much for your help I'll get one on order

 

[exnisstech]

I've been dosing AFR for over two years in my SPS tank. I target 8-9 dkH. I only test calcium every month or so but I've never had to make any adjustments to calcium, it just follows along staying around 425ish. I use Hanna for alk testing and salifert for calcium.

I suppose it's about time for a calcium test

 

[Bert0089]

I've been dosing AFR for over two years in my SPS tank. I target 8-9 dkH. I only test calcium every month or so but I've never had to make any adjustments to calcium, it just follows along staying around 425ish. I use Hanna for alk testing and salifert for calcium.

I suppose it's about time for a calcium test

Amazing, thanks! Also what app is that?

 

[Dom]

It's 100l I was going to get a dosing pump for the AFR

Ok... so this is approximately a 25 gallon tank.

You mentioned you do 10% water changes to up calcium. Water changes are primarily about nutrient export. But in a small tank like yours, water changes will also replenish elements consumed by the tank.

You should be doing 20% (industry standard). This will allow you to keep your nutrients down and elements up.

I would suggest keeping it simple. Do 5 gallon water changes FAITHFULLY on a weekly basis for several weeks and then reassess. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

 

[exnisstech]

Amazing, thanks! Also what app is that?

The app us called aquarium log. I use it to keep track of test results. It has graphs available also.

 

[Bert0089]

The app us called aquarium log. I use it to keep track of test results. It has graphs available also.

Brilliant thanks I have that one but only just got it and likely using it wrong