Cal and alk unstable

fishmaster818 · May 19, 2015

Will unstable calcium and alkalinity kill sps

whixley101 · May 19, 2015

fishmaster818 · May 19, 2015

Okay cause I've been struggle with across but I don't dose. Today I using started kalkwasser so hopefully it works like everyone says

miamiangler · May 19, 2015

Whats your mg ? try for 1350 that should help with Cal & Alk

whixley101 · May 20, 2015

Stability of any target number is the key. I use a bubble Magnus doser with two part dosing every hour of the day.

Downbeach · May 20, 2015

What are your readings, i.e. Mg, Ca and Alk? What is your opinion of "unstable"? What salt mix are you using? How often are you doing your WC's?

fishmaster818 · May 20, 2015

My calcium goes between 420 and 380 alk goes between 8.7 and 9.5 and I have really measure mg

fishmaster818 · May 20, 2015

whixley101 said:
Stability of any target number is the key. I use a bubble Magnus doser with two part dosing every hour of the day.

Sometime even more

Downbeach · May 20, 2015

The normal uptake of Alk and Ca is about 50ppm(2.8dkh) Alk to ~20ppm Calcium. So, assuming accurate testing, a use of .8 dKH (14ppm) would indicate an uptake of ~5ppm Ca. Given the margin of error in our hobby grade test kits, and differences that can occur with different samples during testing, I'm going to say that these numbers are really nothing to worry about for now. I would however, make sure you keep up with regular WC's, keeping your SG @ 1.026/35ppt(my preference and the mean average of the oceans SG), measured with a properly calibrated refractometer, using a 35ppt solution, or other metering device. You'll want to measure your Mg, and keep it in the 1200 to 1400ppm zone, as this is what will help to keep the Ca and Alk from precipitating out of solution. Using Kalk is a good balanced supplement for both Ca and Alk, but will do nothing to get/keep your Mg where it should be, typically regular WC's at the suggested SG, will be all you need to keep it in that area.

JBNY · May 22, 2015

Your levels should be the same every time you test. If they are not your system is not mature enough (not stable), work to get your routine for adding alk/ca/mg down so that you can keep the tank stable and then you should see better results for your SPS.