Well, I believe that folks making such observations are seeing testing issues. I do not believe what you are claiming is real, aside from the effects I noted, and there’s no processes that that I’ve heard of that can explain them.
Next time I see this happen I’ll try to post back here with some data.
Just an obvious question. I understand that corals utilize both when growing, but depending on species, overall chemistry, nutrients, etc., that general relationship obviously differs or deviates moderately or even significantly sometimes away from the norm for whatever reason.
Why should we assume that it always has to be 2.8 alk to 18-20 Ca consumption rate.? You can do a simple search here and see that it happens all the time. I’m sure there are inaccurate test results, but some do appear accurate, and the ICP data I’ve seen is legit. I’ve also seen the flip side of more Cal consumption and less Alk consumption, but is more rare. I think large clams may contribute to this among other animals.
For example here’s a few below:
BALANCING ALK / CALCIUM DOSING
Hey everyone...
I've been puzzled for quite a while on balancing my Alk / Calcium with "2 part dosing". I test 4x a day with trident and occasionally cross check with Hanna / ICPs obviously.
What really puzzles me is that I seem to go through periods where I need to dose an outsized calcium proportion of 2 part, and then other periods where I need to dose a disproportionate amount of Alk. I.e., I'll try putting 30ML on both ALK / Cal on my neptune DOS. Then, my alk starts climbing above 8.5 whereas my Cal is dropping below 400. So then I need to sometimes have my Alk dosing at 15ml whereas clacium is at 45ml for weeks at a time! And vice versa....
So.... I'm just very skeptical that this is due to "testing error" or maligned/uncalibrated dosing pumps. Virtually everywhere I've read say these elements should uptake in exact proportions, and it isn't "scientifically accurate" that this situation should be occurring. I.e.... On R2R, RHF articles, etc. I would like a second opinion here! How is it that I have all but confirmed with ICPs that my tank can go through a period where these elements are consumed disproportionally? Is it a thing, or am I just doing something wrong?
Right now for example, my calcium was sitting at 390 and alk is climbing to 8.5+ (tested with Hanna + trident, awaiting ICP) after dosing 30 ml calcium/day and 10ml alk (ESV B Ionic) for like 2 weeks!
Any thoughts are appreciated, thanks everyone!
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For those using brs 2 part does anyone actually dose in equal amounts? My calcium consumption is way higher than Alk. Dosing 150ml of soda ash and 200 ml of calcium chloride. I though their 2 part solution was supposed to be 1 to 1.
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Hello everyone, this is regarding alkalinity consumption.
I’ve read the handbook and searched the group regarding this topic and while I do see that increased alkalinity consumption is normal I wanted to ask the group if anyone else has experienced alk consumption nearly double after only 4 days on the shine?
Thanks!
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