Alkalinity and Calcium Not Rising

revhtree · Feb 27, 2017

Watching a BRS video on dosing 2 part they said that if you're overdosing that it could have the opposite effect?

GoVols · Feb 27, 2017

revhtree said:
Checked Mag and it was 1100. I've been dosing for a couple days to bring it up.

Bought another test kit and reading were almost identical.

Mixing the BRS mix according to the directions and it is correct.

Been dosing 500ml a day and my ALK is dropping. Dosed 700ml total yesterday and it was down 1DKH today!

Tagging with you Rev.

I don't know if your params. are precipitating down from the way your dosing.

Never used BRS.

Hopefully Randy will give you some guidance in the morning

GoVols · Feb 27, 2017

revhtree said:
Watching a BRS video on dosing 2 part they said that if you're overdosing that it could have the opposite effect?

That's a fact and I've done it with Seachem in the past.

Rev, Hang in there and see if Randy wants you to give your reef a rest and let the ions balance out a bit before dosing again

monkiboy · Feb 28, 2017

thought of you watching this... http:// youtu.be/hSg3KGTuRCo

monkiboy · Feb 28, 2017

DLHDesign · Feb 28, 2017

May be an obvious question, but how far apart are your Ca/Alk doses being added in?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 28, 2017

revhtree said:
Watching a BRS video on dosing 2 part they said that if you're overdosing that it could have the opposite effect?

Once you initiate a substantial precipitation event, there is lots of fresh surface for more precipitation. As the surface ages, organics, phosphate and magnesium get onto it, slowing down more precipitation. So as mentioned, taking a break for a few days can break the cycle.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 28, 2017

revhtree said:
Checked Mag and it was 1100. I've been dosing for a couple days to bring it up.

Bought another test kit and reading were almost identical.

Mixing the BRS mix according to the directions and it is correct.

Been dosing 500ml a day and my ALK is dropping. Dosed 700ml total yesterday and it was down 1DKH today!

It takes a lot to boost magnesium.

revhtree · Mar 1, 2017

DLHDesign said:
May be an obvious question, but how far apart are your Ca/Alk doses being added in?

Alk at night, Cal during the day.

revhtree · Mar 1, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
It takes a lot to boost magnesium.

How would you suggest I add it to the tank? When and at what quantities?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 1, 2017

revhtree said:
How would you suggest I add it to the tank? When and at what quantities?

Use a calculator to determine the amount. If its a solid, dissolve it in some fresh water (if is very soluble) and add to a high flow area away from corals. 25-50 ppm per day is a good rate and maybe split that into 2 doses per day.

Use either magneisum chloride or a mix of magneisum chloride and magneisum sulfate.

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

wowkingjames · Mar 1, 2017

Following

revhtree · Mar 7, 2017

My ALK is slowly rising. I have been manually dosing 300ml per day and auto dosing 600ml at night! 900ml a day! I can barely keep up with making up the solution!

Is it possible I'm using that much in my tank with a small amount of corals in about 460g of water?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 7, 2017

revhtree said:
My ALK is slowly rising. I have been manually dosing 300ml per day and auto dosing 600ml at night! 900ml a day! I can barely keep up with making up the solution!

Is it possible I'm using that much in my tank with a small amount of corals in about 460g of water?

Do you have coralline growth?

revhtree · Mar 7, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Do you have coralline growth?

No. The tank has only been running for a few months now. I guess I could have some coralline but I do not.

gcarroll · Mar 7, 2017

I see little reason at this stage that you should even be dosing. IMO, you should stop dosing and see what happens. You are dosing more than most full blown mature SPS tanks. Continue getting your Mag up to normal levels.

GoVols · Mar 7, 2017

revhtree said:
My ALK is slowly rising. I have been manually dosing 300ml per day and auto dosing 600ml at night! 900ml a day! I can barely keep up with making up the solution!

Is it possible I'm using that much in my tank with a small amount of corals in about 460g of water?

Are you dosing cal too?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 7, 2017

Are you now dosing sodium bicarbonate solution, or still sodium carbonate?

revhtree · Mar 7, 2017

gcarroll said:
I see little reason at this stage that you should even be dosing. IMO, you should stop dosing and see what happens. You are dosing more than most full blown mature SPS tanks. Continue getting your Mag up to normal levels.

I started dosing 300ml of MAG a day because that's what I calculated was safe. But at that rate it would take me months to get it up. Also I stopped for a few days and the ALK dropped rapidly. It drops quick if I miss a dose.