Alk dropping but Ca staying steady?

gurumasta

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 21, 2017
Messages
110
Reaction score
121
Location
Wakefield, MA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My Alk drops consistently every day about .3 - .4 dkh

My Ca is holding steady around 430

Mag is 1460

What gives? I am using Red Sea Pro test kits / alk hanna checker (and red sea pro alk for accuracy)

Last couple days I have dosed just alk to keep it in the rage of 8.5 - 8.9 but the Ca not moving concerns me.

PH 8.05 - 8.25 steady

Thanks!
 
I have a tank that is about the same. It's what those specific corals use I'd presume. My water changes keep the calcium steady within range so I've only added alk daily for years.
 
My Alk drops consistently every day about .3 - .4 dkh

My Ca is holding steady around 430

Mag is 1460

What gives? I am using Red Sea Pro test kits / alk hanna checker (and red sea pro alk for accuracy)

Last couple days I have dosed just alk to keep it in the rage of 8.5 - 8.9 but the Ca not moving concerns me.

PH 8.05 - 8.25 steady

Thanks!
Give it about a 2.5 dkh(or 5-6 days) drop before you see a 15-20 ppm (or increments based on test kit) calcium drop. And if you do weekly water changes with a higher salt mix, you may never know =)

Still have to dose equal parts though if your using 2 part.
 
Give it about a 2.5 dkh(or 5-6 days) drop before you see a 15-20 ppm (or increments based on test kit) calcium drop. And if you do weekly water changes with a higher salt mix, you may never know =)

Still have to dose equal parts though if your using 2 part.

I am using two part and I was concerned about that. Shoukd I be adding equal amount of ml of each?

Should I switch to baked baking soda?


Thanks!
 
I am using two part and I was concerned about that. Shoukd I be adding equal amount of ml of each?

Should I switch to baked baking soda?


Thanks!
Supplement is up to you, but equal amounts should be dosed as its designed based on alk/coral consumption. At such a low consumption daily, you wont see a change in calcium for atleast a week and thats if the test kit range can detect it.
 
Last edited:
1 dKH alk consumption equates to 7ppm calcium consumption. A drop of .4 dKH will measure out to be about 3-4ppm calcium which is hard to detect. Dose your 2 part solution in equal amounts.
 
I use BRS two part in this one specific system. The salt that I use is high in ca and low in alk. This tank is several years old and I do 10% weekly water changes. I add 7 mls daily of saturated soda ash and I don't dose cal. Water changes keep it over 440. So no, you don't have to dose both.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
Back
Top