Dosing how much Calcium with alkalinity?

Michel

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in one of my reef tanks I have low alkalinity (6.6 dKH) and high Calcium (500 mg/l) so I want to dose KH+
But everywhere I read you always need to dose alkalinity and calcium in 1:1 ratio even when the Calcium isn't low.

I mix my own kH+ and Ca+ and delute it to a point I can dose it accurate. So a 1:1 dosing ratio doesnt really mean anything to me.

So is there another guideline for dosing like: add +1dkH alk together with +50 mg/l calcium or something like that?
 

Rmckoy

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There is a calculator for many different additives I use .
choose the product , enter the desired level , tested level and it tells you how much of each to dose .
 
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Michel

Michel

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when using that calculator (calcium 500-->500) and Alkalinity (6.6-->8.0) tells me only to dose alkalinity and not to dose calcium because I dont want to raise it. But everywhere on internet I read you should always dose them together.
 

mdb_talon

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Generally speaking they are used equally. There are exceptions. In any case if you only want to raise kh then just add alk. Dont overcomplicate it.
 
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Michel

Michel

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I have read something that only dosing KH+ would make the Calcium drop down but then I will just add some KH+ slowly and also monitor the Calcium.
 

guylaga

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You dont need to dose calcium right now as your system has a surplus.

Just go with alkalinty and monitor your calcium usage as your corals and coraline start to use it. Once the calcium level drops to 420-450 range then you should plan to start dosing.

Not every system is the same, for instance my tank is using about 2.5ml alkalinity solution for every 1 ml of calcium solution.
 

Rmckoy

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That same calculator I added the link for .
i used 500 as the cal value .
added 425 as the desired level
Alk at 6.6 and it will tell you by dosing that much , the balanced cal value .
for my system .
I want 7.5dkh ( 134ppm ) alk .
It says balanced cal is 415

Cal is 425
 

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