Dosing alk easing calcium?

[Kingsley_Reef]

I wish I understood chemistry better but anyways slowly got my numbers to acceptable range manually dosing but now I have hooked up my dos dosing 4Xs per day and am adjusting the amount daily to try and keep it stable I have not dosed any calcium chloride in a few days but I’ve noticed on my trident it’s slowly rising can the dose of randys #2 recipe be adding to the calcium?

 

[rishma]

I wish I understood chemistry better but anyways slowly got my numbers to acceptable range manually dosing but now I have hooked up my dos dosing 4Xs per day and am adjusting the amount daily to try and keep it stable I have not dosed any calcium chloride in a few days but I’ve noticed on my trident it’s slowly rising can the dose of randys #2 recipe be adding to the calcium?

I cannot think of a reason the alkalinity dose would raise calcium. I suspect test error.

If you have your levels where you want them, I think it’s best to just dose a balanced amount of Ca, alk, and Mg. I don’t use a trident but in general, alkalinity tests are the most reliable and sensitive of the three.

I never test magnesium or calcium, except with occasional ICP. The following reef chemistry fact most useful, in my opinion.

For each 2.8 dKH of alkalinity consumed, about 18-20 ppm calcium and 1-2 ppm magnesium are also consumed.

Dosing outside those proportions is likely to lead to imbalances over time.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree it is probably testing error. The magnesium change seems to oddly mirror the calcium change, but in reverse. Unless you add one or the other, that cannot happen.

 

[Kingsley_Reef]

I agree it is probably testing error. The magnesium change seems to oddly mirror the calcium change, but in reverse. Unless you add one or the other, that cannot happen.

Thanks Randy I checked with Hanna twice ,alk was good, calcium first round flashed 600, second round went 565ppm so I’m assuming my calcium is way high no clue how since I haven’t added any except weekly water changes instant ocean regular starting to really doubt this trident investment I don’t have anything to compare magnesium

Should I just keep dosing your alk recipe#2 for now untill I can figure out my calcium troubles

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy I checked with Hanna twice ,alk was good, calcium first round flashed 600, second round went 565ppm so I’m assuming my calcium is way high no clue how since I haven’t added any except weekly water changes instant ocean regular starting to really doubt this trident investment I don’t have anything to compare magnesium

Should I just keep dosing your alk recipe#2 for now untill I can figure out my calcium troubles

Try testing some new salt water. I’m not a fan of the Hanna calcium checker.

 

[Kingsley_Reef]

Try testing some new salt water. I’m not a fan of the Hanna calcium checker.

Recommend any other test kit

Btw goodluck on your new tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Recommend any other test kit

Btw goodluck on your new tank

Thanks. :)
I'm planning to use the Salifert kit for calcium.

 

[Boomertron]

I agree it is probably testing error. The magnesium change seems to oddly mirror the calcium change, but in reverse. Unless you add one or the other, that cannot happen.

Randy,
Sorry to Hijack this thread but I see you are the one to talk to regarding Alk/Kh levels being low.
I recently set up my tank, it is currently ending its cycle and all parameters are looking good apart from the KH which has dropped from 9 to 6.5 in a matter of weeks, I was only really conentrating on ammonia, Nitrite nad Nitrate until this opint so do not know how quickly it has dropped?
I have a PH of 8.1 which seems to be the same since I started the tank so I used the calculator you suggest and on my 140l tank to raise it from 6.5 - 9 again using your part 1 it says;
66 ml; 2.2 fl oz; 13.2 tsp
would I just put in a small amount every few hours or twice a day? And would i then need to switch to the part 2 for stability or just maintain part 1 with dosing when test show a drop? as long as the PH stays the same?
I only have 2 cleaner shrimp, 2 small clowns, 3 small hermit crabs and 3 zombie snails in there along with a couple of kilo of live rock so god only knows what has caused it to drop? I will be looking to keep soft coral and the LPS at some point so will get a dosing unit but didnt think I would need all of that with a handful of fish?
Sorry for all the questions, it is appreciated that you are here to help the likes of me though, thank you.
Lee

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d split that dose into 7 doses and add one each day, once a day. Any time that day.

The alk can be low from the initial cycling, and also from precipitation of calcium carbonate on sand and rock, which happens most in new sand and rock.

 

[Boomertron]

I’d split that dose into 7 doses and add one each day, once a day. Any time that day.

The alk can be low from the initial cycling, and also from precipitation of calcium carbonate on sand and rock, which happens most in new sand and rock.

Thank you so much for your response it is grearly appreciated.
I did a 25ltr water change yesterday about 5 hours after the kh was at 7 and tgen this morning up to 8 so at least I am in a better position now.
Thank you
Lee

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You’re welcome.

Happy Reefing!