Alk Drop Ca Increase

[reefrider777]

Recently I added a new batch of Ca solution for my doser. My Alk was steady at 8.5 and has now dropped to 7.0 and my Ca has been at 420 and now is 470. I have 2 questions; did my new Ca solution throw off my water chemistry? Do I raise Alk dosage or decrease Ca dosage?

 

[Oscar47f]

Are they added in a high flow area? maybe its your magnesium levels?

 

[Charterreefer]

Definitely check magnesium level.

 

[Myka]

It sounds like you messed up the concentration of the solutions.

 

[reefrider777]

Mg is 1410 (Salifert). I added 2.5 cups of Ca (BRS) to a gallon jug of RODI.

 

[Scorpius]

Alk/Ca ratio


DKH Ca

4.50 393

4.75 395

5.00 397

5.25 398

5.50 400

5.75 402

6.00 404

6.25 405

6.50 407

6.75 409

7.00 411

7.25 413

7.50 414

8.00 418

8.25 420

8.50 422

8.75 423

9.00 425

9.25 427

9.50 429

9.75 431

10.00 432

10.20 434

10.50 436

10.75 438

11.00 439

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have 2 questions; did my new Ca solution throw off my water chemistry? Do I raise Alk dosage or decrease Ca dosage?

No, that's one thing I can say with assurance.

Do I raise Alk dosage or decrease Ca dosage?

If alk is dropping, I'd boost the alk. I'd leave calcium along for now.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, I don't see a way to blame what he reports on magnesium, no matter the level.

 

[reefrider777]

Thanks @Randy Holmes-Farley!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[Myka]

Mg is 1410 (Salifert). I added 2.5 cups of Ca (BRS) to a gallon jug of RODI.

Yeah, but did you really?? If you messed up, you wouldn't know, that's the whole point of messing up.

How much "alk" did you use? Did you use carbonate or bicarbonate? Did you use baking soda or soda ash?

 

[N4sty T4te]

The problem I've run into is that the higher the calcium level the less effective my Alk dose becomes from it binding with the calcium and precipitating.

I'd probably Remix the calcium solution and replace if your unsure it's the correct dose.