Low alk

[blackgate]

I just transferred over to the triton method 1 week ago from dosing BRS alk and calcium. I was dosing 46 ml of BRS alk and it kept my 93 sps tank solid at 8 dkh. I am now up to dosing 60 ml of elementz 1 and still am struggling to stay at 7.2 dkh. I mixed the 4 elementz containers exactly as the instructions on the bottles stated. I just wanted to see if anyone else had this situation happen as well. To me, it seems like I am dosing a lot of elementz right now and I am still low on my alk.

 

[blackgate]

Anyone seen this issue? Is it because the elementz 1 is not as concentrated as the BRS soda ash?

 

[twilliard]

May I ask have you done a triton test and what is your calcium at?
this is a balanced system and all need to be dosed equally
More equipment info may be needed. You don't have a cal reactor running do you?

 

[twilliard]

You might want to bring this up with randy

Reef Chemistry by Randy Holmes-Farley forum

 

[blackgate]

I do not run a calcium reactor and I have not checked my calcium levels. My understanding was that you should set your alk to 8 and evenly dose the other 3 to match. I thought alk was elementz 1.

 

[twilliard]

It is #1 but with increased calcium your alk will drop

I would recommend testing your cal

 

[blackgate]

Ok I will test it. If calcium is too high do I start dropping dose rate of elementz 2 and just keep testing alk?

 

[twilliard]

No if it is too high stop all triton and dose your alk till the numbers come into range.
post your cal number and we can figure it out

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'm not sure how concentrated they make their supplement, but if it is sodium bicarbonate-based, it likely is more dilute and you just need to add more. :)

 

[blackgate]

Ok i will post my numbers as soon as I get back

 

[twilliard]

I'm not sure how concentrated they make their supplement, but if it is sodium bicarbonate-based, it likely is more dilute and you just need to add more. :)

Hi Randy
I dilute my mix 2-1 because of the high concentration.
on 80g of volume I dose 3.5Ml per hour with triton.

Is it not true if calcium is high it will drag down alk?

Also a possibility it was mixed wrong by OP?

 

[blackgate]

I mixed 9 2/3 liters (approx 2.5 gallons) with the entire contents of elementz 1. I have seen this ratio on several websites now so I really don't think I mixed it wrong. If you are dosing 3.5 per hour that's 84ml in a 24 hour period. I am only dosing 60 ml in a 24 hour period in a heavily stocked 93 sps tank. I bet I am just not dosing enough. I will say this though, I have never seen such dramatic polyp extension at night as I have now that I have changed over to triton. I really wonder if it's just because of the lower alk though. I run an ultra low nutrient system and if I go over 8 to 8.2 dkh I get stn on bases.

 

[blackgate]

Whoops I see that you have diluted your mix so I guess that argument does not apply. I am pretty sure that if I have high calcium and lower alk I will start seeing precipitation. Maybe not though, I am sure Randy can shed some light on this!

 

[twilliard]

Yes randy will have insight but he may be right!
60 Ml to 90g sure seems high but if heavily stocked may need more :-)

I love how my coral grow and react with the triton method and sure as they say less water changes! Love it!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Unless the calcium is above 550 ppm, it is more likely that he is just not dosing enough. :)

 

[twilliard]

Thanks again randy!

 

[blackgate]

I will post my test results tomorrow when I get home. Thank you guys for the help

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Good luck! :)

 

[gpwdr]

The corals and coralline algae grow faster and faster exponentially. So they require more and more, so be prepared to dose more and more. I was told by Vince in Europe not to chase the numbers. Just monitor the DKH.

 

[gpwdr]

Trust in this reef keeping method. No head aches, no worries, just monitor the DKH.