Thanks for reading. Quick backstory:
I have an LPS/soft coral tank and had been relying on kalkwasser to supplement alk/calcium and act as a PH buffer. I run automatic water changes (10% weekly) using Reef Crystals. I am done with kalk and I’m switching to 2 part dosing because the kalk has been a nightmare for my ATO and sump maintenance.
My alk had been historically low (6-7) but since my corals were growing I just let it be. PH would range between 8.1 and 7.8.
Now I’m about to start 2-part and I’m testing a lot. My Mag was 1100, Calcium was 447, and Alk was 5.38.
I tried to bring my Mag up to 1300 over the course of 2 days, but I overshot it and got 1500. Corals still looking fine so no panic.
I then added enough liquid soda ash to bring my alk up to 6.4 (raising slowly), but when I tested the next day, I was actually at 4.8! I ordered a new regent, and tested again today and it is at 4.65! My PH drops to 7.7 on the low end now.
It seems my corals are KH starved and I should be dosing significantly here, especially since I’m out of kalk now.
Does my calcium dose have to match my alk dose here? Any advice?
Thank you!
I have an LPS/soft coral tank and had been relying on kalkwasser to supplement alk/calcium and act as a PH buffer. I run automatic water changes (10% weekly) using Reef Crystals. I am done with kalk and I’m switching to 2 part dosing because the kalk has been a nightmare for my ATO and sump maintenance.
My alk had been historically low (6-7) but since my corals were growing I just let it be. PH would range between 8.1 and 7.8.
Now I’m about to start 2-part and I’m testing a lot. My Mag was 1100, Calcium was 447, and Alk was 5.38.
I tried to bring my Mag up to 1300 over the course of 2 days, but I overshot it and got 1500. Corals still looking fine so no panic.
I then added enough liquid soda ash to bring my alk up to 6.4 (raising slowly), but when I tested the next day, I was actually at 4.8! I ordered a new regent, and tested again today and it is at 4.65! My PH drops to 7.7 on the low end now.
It seems my corals are KH starved and I should be dosing significantly here, especially since I’m out of kalk now.
Does my calcium dose have to match my alk dose here? Any advice?
Thank you!