ATS and increased calcium consumption

[Auquanut]

I'll try to keep this short. I have a 125 gallon mixed reef with an active fuge. About a month ago, I decided to incorporate an ATS in the hope that I could convert the fuge to a frag tank. At the time, my nitrates were 25+. When I started the ATS, I was dosing 150 ml soda ash and 120 ml calcium chloride daily. Since adding the ATS my nitrates have gone down to >15. Even though I'm removing half the chaeto and caulerpa at every water change, it's growing back at an amazing rate.

Here's the thing. In the past month, I've had to increase Alk dose to 170 and Calc to 150. I just checked both and Alk is steady at 8.6 dKH, but Calc is down from 440 to 400. I'm thinking I'll finally be able to dose the same amount of both.

Question is: Is the increased demand in Alk and especially Calc an indication of a happy reef or something else. Just seems like a lot. I'll be removing a much larger amount of macroalgae today, as I don't want to bottom out my NO3. Can I expect this to have an effect on Alk and Calc consumption? I'm trying to take this slowly to minimize the impact on the system.

 

[KrisReef]

Your coral and other calcium consumers are growing. Keep a close eye on these parameters as they may increase or decrease along the way. Gl.

 

[Auquanut]

Your coral and other calcium consumers are growing. Keep a close eye on these parameters as they may increase or decrease along the way. Gl.

Thanks. It's just got me a little nervous. I don't like to make fast or drastic changes to the system, and the increased demand just have me a bit on edge.