All for reef . Alk question

[Claytonsreef]

Hi all.

So i started dosing 4 weeks ago and have increased the dosage weekly to try to attain 9dkh.

Is it right for the dkh to rise before if will come down or am i doing it all wrong lol.

Thank you

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Controlling the dose by alk is not recommended by Tropic Marin as it may not show up in a timely fashion. That’s a drawback of this product, IMO.

 

[Claytonsreef]

Thanks randy. What should i keep my eye on to control. Cal or mag ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks randy. What should i keep my eye on to control. Cal or mag ?

Magnesium would be useless as it is too slow to detect over or under dosing. Calcium is what they recommend. I’d watch it and alk.

 

[Claytonsreef]

Thanks again randy. Im new to dosing so still learning all parameters.

What best for calcium ?

400+ ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks again randy. Im new to dosing so still learning all parameters.

What best for calcium ?

400+ ?

I recommend about 400-550 ppm for calcium.

35 ppt seawater is about 420 ppm and that seems a good target.

 

[SMSREEF]

I use Alk trend over 3 days to a week to adjust dosing.
When doing it this way you can dial in the dosing pretty well and avoid any large swings.
IMO making a larger correction is best done with 2 part where you can dose and measure right away.