So a little background, I had a horrible case of Ich for the first time about a month ago. Did a crazy amount of water changes and finally got a QT tank. Everything is good now except my calcium and magnesium levels plummeted. I had Mg around 1300 dropped to 950. Calcium was was 500 dropped to 300. Finally have my calcium to 400 and Mg up to 1200. My Alk has always been high as it was 11.5 before the Ich, the water changes dropped it down to 8.5 but has slowly crept all the way back up 12.8 along with the calcium increase. My question is how high does my Calcium need to be before my Alkalinty drops below 10 (my goal). I’m currently dosing fluval Calcium/Magnesium and Kent Marine Purple tech to steadily get the levels up.
Alkalinity
- Thread starter tmscott89
- Start date
- Tagged users None
I think the question is...why is your Alk climbing that high? Sounds like you need to check your daily dosage and test more frequently. Reduce the dose.
BeejReef
2500 Club Member
As I understand it, there is a teeter-totter affect between calcium and alkalinity. Pushing either up will tend to suppress the other. However, this is not how you generally go about managing either major element. It will likely lead to precipitation and continued instability. If you want less alkalinity, you're probably best served simply dosing less. Don't think the purple-tech is needed in the scenario you outline.
AdamB
Valuable Member
I agree with above . There is a balance between alk and calcium . If your calcium is rising you alk will go down or vice versa.
Also Magnesium being low is an issue as that will make things unstable and drop ..
I would get your magnesium up to normal and stop dosing alk. I might think about dosing a 2 part as well instead
Good luck!
Also Magnesium being low is an issue as that will make things unstable and drop ..
I would get your magnesium up to normal and stop dosing alk. I might think about dosing a 2 part as well instead
Good luck!
