Core7 dosing question

[CoralClasher]

How important is a DKH of 7 with this method? Two months ago I switched from AF 123 and was running at 8.5 DKH. So when I ran out of AF 123 I stopped dosing for a week DKH was just over 7 and I started with the recommended dose of core7 the DKH went back to 8.5 in three days. So I must have a low demand for ALK right? Waited till DKH went back to 7 started with 3/4 dose same thing three days and DKH 8.5. I’m now trying the third time and just two days DKH is 7.85. Every time I start dosing I see improvement in color and health of the corals. So should I keep dosing even if DKH is going up? I’ve done two ICP and DOC before switching and want to do a third test two weeks after a steady dose but I haven’t been able to get steady DKH.

 

[CoralClasher]

Aqua Forest 123 not **123

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Unless you are keeping nutrients very low, the exact alk of 7 dKH is not critical with any method.

 

[CoralClasher]

Unless you are keeping nutrients very low, the exact alk of 7 dKH is not critical with any method.

I’m wondering if I got a really potent bottle of ALK from yesterday to this morning it went from 7.85 to 9 I’m only dosing 7ml daily split into two doses. My tank is 150 gallons total.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I can’t know what caused it, from test error to potent batch to mismeasurement of the amount added.

 

[CoralClasher]

I can’t know what caused it, from test error to potent batch to mismeasurement of the amount added.

I’m using Hanna checker and I have been testing same time daily for three months. I’ll test again now but would you agree that’s too much of a jump in one day or should I just let it ride and keep dosing 7ml daily?

 

[Psymon]

How are you dosing?

 

[CMO]

With Triton you should target between 7-8 based on which level keeps the majority of other elements best in line. Or more simply, anywhere between 7-8 is fine. Does not need to be 7. If anything it should be 8 to give you some buffer capacity if you have a sudden alk drop. Some corals (birdsnest for example) don't tolerate low alk at say 6 well if you have a decline.

 

[CoralClasher]

How are you dosing?

A three way bubble-magus and single Kamoer. Right into return pump. Lots of green macros in the refuge growing fast and nice deep green color.

 

[CoralClasher]

No skimmer only a roller mat and some poly filter.

 

[CoralClasher]

Alkalinity and nutrients are the only things I test daily. Everything else stays pretty stable. Ca 458 mag 1440

 

[justingraham]

Dosing one ml roughly raises .1 dkh on 50 gallons

 

[CoralClasher]

Dosing one ml roughly raises .1 dkh on 50 gallons

.3 is typically what my DKH drops daily so 9ml is what I should be dosing?

 

[justingraham]

.3 is typically what my DKH drops daily so 9ml is what I should be dosing?

Yes but because of the switch and the fluctuations in dkh I would only be dosing 6 ml until consumption resumes you must not have a lot of coral or coraline algae

 

[CoralClasher]

Yes but because of the switch and the fluctuations in dkh I would only be dosing 6 ml until consumption resumes you must not have a lot of coral or coraline algae

Makes sense I’ve noticed a slow down of Coraline algae growth. Should I still dose every day just a smaller amount or stop dosing till DKH drops to 7? Is 9 DKH too much? No3 is 10-15 phosphate is 0.28

 

[justingraham]

Makes sense I’ve noticed a slow down of Coraline algae growth. Should I still dose every day just a smaller amount or stop dosing till DKH drops to 7? Is 9 DKH too much? No3 is 10-15 phosphate is 0.28

I would try to match your dosing rate with consumption rate I run my alk at 9 dkh with triton I find better growth rate there plus more room for error built in

Are you testing alk at the same time? And dosing at the same time?

 

[CoralClasher]

I would try to match your dosing rate with consumption rate I run my alk at 9 dkh with triton I find better growth rate there plus more room for error built in

Are you testing alk at the same time? And dosing at the same time?

Yes testing same time everyday but only dosing a few days at a time because the DKH jumps and then I’m waiting for it to drop back to 7.

 

[justingraham]

If It was me I would change your base to 8 or 8.5
Dose daily (if by hand dose two hours before lights out) the amount you tank is consuming to keep it as stable as possible

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m using Hanna checker and I have been testing same time daily for three months. I’ll test again now but would you agree that’s too much of a jump in one day or should I just let it ride and keep dosing 7ml daily?

Id keep monitoring and reduce the dose.