dKH and Ca uptake proportional?

[Broadwave]

one of the things that I've found to be most interesting, although old news, is the Redfield ratio when it comes to balancing a tanks water parameters. In the spirit of this topic, is there or has anyone seen any similarities when it comes to CA and dKH? More so, around how it's taken up by corals. I know there is a 'balance' when it comes to where we should be as reefers for "ideal" tank parameters.

However, let's say that my dKH consumption is .2 dKH per day. Is there a direct correlation to Ca consumption? In other words, is Ca uptake by corals proportional to the same amounts as dKH?

If there is an article already written on this subject, please attach the link.

Otherwise, what have most reefers been experiencing?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Enjoy! http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/

The rest of Randys articles are under the stickies in the Chemistry Forum.

 

[Broadwave]

Thanks, but I don't believe this article answered my original question so let me rephrase the question.

If my daily consumption of dKH is .2 dKH, was my calcium consumption .1 ppm or .2 ppm etc..? Of course, testing will tell me what my daily consumption rates are, but is dKH and CA uptake by a coral in equal amounts?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

but is dKH and CA uptake by a coral in equal amounts?

in general yes. this is why Kalkwasser works and two part is 2 part.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/2/chemistry

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

one of the things that I've found to be most interesting, although old news, is the Redfield ratio when it comes to balancing a tanks water parameters. In the spirit of this topic, is there or has anyone seen any similarities when it comes to CA and dKH? More so, around how it's taken up by corals. I know there is a 'balance' when it comes to where we should be as reefers for "ideal" tank parameters.

However, let's say that my dKH consumption is .2 dKH per day. Is there a direct correlation to Ca consumption? In other words, is Ca uptake by corals proportional to the same amounts as dKH?

If there is an article already written on this subject, please attach the link.

Otherwise, what have most reefers been experiencing?

There is a specific ratio of calcium and alkalinity consumed in calcification. It's the ratio present in calcium carbonate skeletons.

There are many different balanced additive systems that are much more desirable than independent calcium and alkalinity additions.

I discuss these issues here:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/the-many-methods-for-supplementing-calcium-and-alkalinity

and here:

When Do Calcium and Alkalinity Demand Not Exactly Balance? by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rhf/index.htm

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks, but I don't believe this article answered my original question so let me rephrase the question.

If my daily consumption of dKH is .2 dKH, was my calcium consumption .1 ppm or .2 ppm etc..? Of course, testing will tell me what my daily consumption rates are, but is dKH and CA uptake by a coral in equal amounts?

The demand ratio is 18-20 ppm calcium for each 1 meq/L (2.8 dKH) of alkalinity. That assumes certain other factors (discussed int eh article above) are not predominating (such as a sulfur denitrator in use, or significantly rising or falling nitrate levels).

 

[Broadwave]

The demand ratio is 18-20 ppm calcium for each 1 meq/L (2.8 dKH) of alkalinity. That assumes certain other factors (discussed int eh article above) are not predominating (such as a sulfur denitrator in use, or significantly rising or falling nitrate levels).

thanks, Randy... this is exactly the answer I was looking for.