Confused on how to best correct Alkalinity level.

[Oberst Hajj]

I have been having an issue getting my Alk and Cal parameters dialed in over the last several months. At some point my Cal got really high (my Red Sea test kit was maxed at over 500ppm and my Alk would drop from 9.2 dKH to 6.44 dKH in 10 days. I tried dosing more Alk as I was in Zone 4 per Chemistry And The Aquarium: Solving Calcium And Alkalinity Problems. I think I was too far tot he right on that chart, so adding more Alk did not help. I've done several large (20%) water changes and I finally have these parameters close to where they should be, but they are still not quite right.

AS of this morning they are:

Cal: 450ppm
Alk: 6.72dKH

I am dosing BRS Pharma Sodium Bicarbonate and Pharma Calcium Chloride (I'm not currently dosing the Cal as I'm above my target). Since I am still in Zone 4, should I just slowing keep upping the Alk as per the article or should I start dosing both Alk and Cal in equal parts (I've read this is a 1 to 1 two part dosing system) as I have seen per research on the net ?

Since it plays a role, my current Mag reading is 1040ppm and I use BRS Pharma Magnesium Mix for 2-Part Maintenance to dose that. All other parameters are within range.

 

[Oberst Hajj]

Oh, it it helps any, my water change saltwater consistently reads 8.12dKH and 290ppm for Alk and Cal.

 

[Gareth elliott]

What live stock do you have?

If live stock is present especially corals.

Do a series of water changes to get your parameters back in line to nsw. Say 20% a day till its all back to nsw.

Then using just the alkalinity test kit. Test after one day. Dose both equally part 1 and 2 at what a calculator says you need to maintain your target alk.

Test calcium weekly to verify this has maintained the ca if not adjust up or down the ca dosing. Most tanks will suffice with equal dosing as there is a lot of precipitation when dosed unequally leading to false readings.
Magnesium or part 3 i find its easier to dose based on a time table. Use x of part 1 dose z of magnesium.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Are you mixing the water to 35ppm? If you are i think the calcium might be a false reading. I have never had a salt test that low for calcium.

 

[Oberst Hajj]

The only live stock in the tank is two Clown fish and one Ricordea. I also mix my fresh saltwater to 1.026.

 

[cycled123]

I have a very similar problem

 

[JDtimk]

I think you need to make sure the test kits are accurate. I also don't know of a salt mix that mixes up at 290 ppm Cal. Check your refractometer or calibrate if possible.
Next thing I would make sure that you are actually dosing the amounts you are supposed to be or are intending to dose. If you are using a timer or aquarium controller, make sure they are functioning or set up as intended. If you are using a dosing pump make sure it is calibrated correctly.

 

[lapin]

I have been having an issue getting my Alk and Cal parameters dialed in over the last several months. At some point my Cal got really high (my Red Sea test kit was maxed at over 500ppm and my Alk would drop from 9.2 dKH to 6.44 dKH in 10 days. I tried dosing more Alk as I was in Zone 4 per Chemistry And The Aquarium: Solving Calcium And Alkalinity Problems. I think I was too far tot he right on that chart, so adding more Alk did not help. I've done several large (20%) water changes and I finally have these parameters close to where they should be, but they are still not quite right.
AS of this morning they are:
Cal: 450ppm
Alk: 6.72dKH
I am dosing BRS Pharma Sodium Bicarbonate and Pharma Calcium Chloride (I'm not currently dosing the Cal as I'm above my target). Since I am still in Zone 4, should I just slowing keep upping the Alk as per the article or should I start dosing both Alk and Cal in equal parts (I've read this is a 1 to 1 two part dosing system) as I have seen per research on the net ?
Since it plays a role, my current Mag reading is 1040ppm and I use BRS Pharma Magnesium Mix for 2-Part Maintenance to dose that. All other parameters are within range.

Oh, it it helps any, my water change saltwater consistently reads 8.12dKH and 290ppm for Alk and Cal.

The only live stock in the tank is two Clown fish and one Ricordea. I also mix my fresh saltwater to 1.026.

My first question is; how old is the tank?
Next question; is why are you dosing with 2 fish and 1 coral?
3rd question; were your tank numbers "8.12dKH and 290ppm for Alk and Cal" the same as your salt mix before y0u started dosing? oh and what salt mix are you using?
Last question; Before you started dosing, how often and what amount were your water changes?

 

[Oberst Hajj]

I think you need to make sure the test kits are accurate. I also don't know of a salt mix that mixes up at 290 ppm Cal. Check your refractometer or calibrate if possible.
Next thing I would make sure that you are actually dosing the amounts you are supposed to be or are intending to dose. If you are using a timer or aquarium controller, make sure they are functioning or set up as intended. If you are using a dosing pump make sure it is calibrated correctly.

All of the equipment checks out. And I have used a Red Sea and a Giesemann Professional test kit to check the Cal. Both read the same.

My first question is; how old is the tank?

Technically, about 18 months. But it has been broken down twice during that time. First to a move and second to a link in the tank. Sand and live rock are from day 1 however.

Next question; is why are you dosing with 2 fish and 1 coral?

I did have more corals, but they have all died off with everything that happened above. I'm wanting to put more corals back in, so that is why I'm trying to get everything back up to spec and stable.

3rd question; were your tank numbers "8.12dKH and 290ppm for Alk and Cal" the same as your salt mix before y0u started dosing? oh and what salt mix are you using?

I'm using Instant Ocean. Alk was a little low but stable at 7.28 dKH last summer, but pretty much all over since then. Cal Was not stable until it went over 500ppm back in Oct. Mag has always bounced around between 1400ppm and 1200ppm for the most part.

Last question; Before you started dosing, how often and what amount were your water changes?

 

[Gareth elliott]

What package of IO did you purchase? By chance the box with multiple bags? I would test another bag if so.

All of those results for IO seem low ime. I really want to say that your salinity measurement is what is off. Fresh made IO should read around 11 dkh, 400 cal and 1350 mg. I dont like running my alk that high so use live aquaria salt which is almost the same price but closer to 8.5 dkh at 35ppm

 

[lapin]

Something is amiss with your salt mix. Here is something about your salt mix parameters;

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I am dosing BRS Pharma Sodium Bicarbonate and Pharma Calcium Chloride (I'm not currently dosing the Cal as I'm above my target). Since I am still in Zone 4, should I just slowing keep upping the Alk as per the article or should I start dosing both Alk and Cal in equal parts (I've read this is a 1 to 1 two part dosing system) as I have seen per research on the net ?

I would slowly up the alk part, and keep an eye on calcium and up it as needed to maintain calcium long term. :)

The use them equally typically works pretty well, but should be thought of as a starting ratio, and slight adjustments are fine.

 

[Billldg]

What is your ph at, wondering if you r precipitating alk and cal into your sand due to high ph.