Alk Question

[bonnie.klassen1]

My ALK has always been slightly low, sitting at 6. I recently began dosing reef builder by seachem (only increases Alk does not affect anything else is what it states. I’ve just been using an iv dripped to drip in.

Feb 2, Alk 6.5 cal 508
Added 24 gr Reef builder

Feb 3 Alk 6.5
Added 24 gr Reef builder

Feb 4 Alk 7.6 Cal 429
Added 24 gr Reef builder

Feb 6 Alk 7.9 Cal 563
Nothing was dosed no water changes.

Feb 8 Alk 6.8 Cal 527
- dosed 13 Grams reef builder

Feb 9 Alk 7.5 Cal 600
- dosed 24 grams reef builder

Feb 12 Alk 6.9 Cal 442

Feb 13 Alk 7.56 Cal 522
- dosed 24 Grams reef builder

Feb 15 Alk 8.12 Cal 487
- dosed 24 gr Reef Builder

Feb 16 Alk 7.56 Cal 581
- dosed 24 gr Reef Builder

Feb 17 Alk 8.57 Cal 534

Feb 18 Alk 8.23
- dosed 12 gr Reef Builder

Feb 19 Alk 8.57

Feb 20 Alk 8.51

I’m confused about my fluctuation of calcium as well as why my Alk didn’t go down overnight like it has been without dosing since beginning of February.

We are going on vacation in a couple of weeks and I really o my have someone who can feed. No one I would trust to test water and dose.

 

[Brien]

When I started I used Reef Builder to keep my KH up without too much of an impact on my Ca. However, after a while it no longer cuts it and you need to look at another solution like 2-part. If you can swing it I'd look at getting a dosing pump and start dosing 2-part. Especially if going on vacation and limited help while your gone.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

What kind of livestock/coral do you have in teh tank and how old is it?

 

[bonnie.klassen1]

When I started I used Reef Builder to keep my KH up without too much of an impact on my Ca. However, after a while it no longer cuts it and you need to look at another solution like 2-part. If you can swing it I'd look at getting a dosing pump and start dosing 2-part. Especially if going on vacation and limited help while your gone.

I have an apex pump on order. Although I’m confused about what to dose as they’re seems to be no consistency. Even with my calcium that high you’d suggest 2 part?

 

[bonnie.klassen1]

What kind of livestock/coral do you have in teh tank and how old is it?

Mostly LPS and a dozen SPS frags. 15+ anemones, 13 Fish, 4 shrimp a ton of zoas, and a handful of soft coral.

This tank is about 7 months old transferred from a 4 year 50 Gallon.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

If you have an ATO hooked you can put some kalk in the there and that will probably be sufficient.

Since you already have an apex on order 2 part is definitely the way to go. I'm guessing your corals are still getting used to the new Alk and demand might be higher in the near future once they adjust. Your daily testing is great and I still test Alk daily gives me a good sense whats going on in the Tank

Calcium is a little harder to test accurately from what I've read and it is consumed at close to the same level as Alk is. (slightly less) So you want to dose accordingly.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have an apex pump on order. Although I’m confused about what to dose as they’re seems to be no consistency. Even with my calcium that high you’d suggest 2 part?

You're calcium is bouncing around (purely test errors) between normal and high values. It is likely around the midpoint of these, and using a two part with equal dosing will keep it there, while not using both parts will allow calcium to decline. Either is a fine approach, but if there is so much uncertainty as to your actual calcium value and the accuracy of the kit (which kit are you using?), equal parts dosing of a quality two part based on alk is a reasonable plan.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

When I started I used Reef Builder to keep my KH up without too much of an impact on my Ca. However, after a while it no longer cuts it and you need to look at another solution like 2-part. If you can swing it I'd look at getting a dosing pump and start dosing 2-part. Especially if going on vacation and limited help while your gone.

It's an OK alk supplement, and will be sufficient to meet any alkalinity demand, but for many reasons, i think a well-designed two part is usually better.

 

[bonnie.klassen1]

You're calcium is bouncing around (purely test errors) between normal and high values. It is likely around the midpoint of these, and using a two part with equal dosing will keep it there, while not using both parts will allow calcium to decline. Either is a fine approach, but if there is so much uncertainty as to your actual calcium value and the accuracy of the kit (which kit are you using?), equal parts dosing of a quality two part based on alk is a reasonable plan.

I’m using a Hanna checker. Maybe I’ll change out the batteries and see what happens with test results.

Would you suggest Kalkwasser in the ato? Or a 2 part from maybe brs?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m using a Hanna checker. Maybe I’ll change out the batteries and see what happens with test results.

Would you suggest Kalkwasser in the ato? Or a 2 part from maybe brs?

Either of those are fine options.