Kalkwasser and dosing

[Zbass]

I’m using kalkwasser in my ATO in my 65 gallon system and was going to start dosing cause I’m seeing my numbers change. But they don’t always go down. They go up some days and down some days. How am I supposed to make that more consistent? My alk for the most part stays the same but my calcium changes daily give or take 30 ppm

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m using kalkwasser in my ATO in my 65 gallon system and was going to start dosing cause I’m seeing my numbers change. But they don’t always go down. They go up some days and down some days. How am I supposed to make that more consistent? My alk for the most part stays the same but my calcium changes daily give or take 30 ppm

That calcium movement with stable alk is test error. I'd just watch it long term, dosing the kalk to keep alk stable. :)

 

[BlueNem]

Hi

Depends which part of the world you're. Sometimes if you have natural ventilation or not varies the amount of CO2 in the room and therefore the alkalinity pH and Ca balance in the tank, even Mg can vary.
Check what is the source of the variation of the Ca levels because is not coral growth definitely.


Regards,

 

[Zbass]

That calcium movement with stable alk is test error. I'd just watch it long term, dosing the kalk to keep alk stable. :)

Salfert test kit lol. Interesting

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi

Depends which part of the world you're. Sometimes if you have natural ventilation or not varies the amount of CO2 in the room and therefore the alkalinity pH and Ca balance in the tank, even Mg can vary.
Check what is the source of the variation of the Ca levels because is not coral growth definitely.


Regards,

I don't think there's a scenario where CO2 (high or low) impacts any of alk, calcium, or magnesium except as it controls the rate of formation of calcium carbonate. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Salfert test kit lol. Interesting

You'll likely find, sadly, that test error is an answer to more thread questions than any other single answer at Reef2Reef. lol

 

[Zbass]

I don't think there's a scenario where CO2 (high or low) impacts any of alk, calcium, or magnesium except as it controls the rate of formation of calcium carbonate. :)

you think I could be more stable if I stop using Kalk and just use 2 part?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

you think I could be more stable if I stop using Kalk and just use 2 part?

No. In both cases you need to dose what you need to maintain alk.

 

[Zbass]

No. In both cases you need to dose what you need to maintain alk.

So since my Kalk is still keeping calcium above 400 I shouldn't need to add to part yet right?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So since my Kalk is still keeping calcium above 400 I shouldn't need to add to part yet right?

Yes, but dose the kalk based on alk. Only if and when you can no longer maintain alk due to evaporation limitations, then begin using a two part as well.

 

[exnisstech]

you think I could be more stable if I stop using Kalk and just use 2 part?

Kalk can be very stable but some times adding it via ATO can cause inconsistencies due to varying evap rates. It's all I used on this tank but I dosed with a brs 50ml minute doser on a cheap digital timer. I started with the ATO but my evap varied too much for my taste.