Dosing CA/Alk question

[LoneStarReef]

So I am trying to bring my CA/Alk up to levels acceptable for SPS corals. I am using B-ionic two part. My numbers yesterday were 345 for CA and 8.3 for alk. After one dose of 20ml of each component, I am now at 8.7 and 365 one day later. From what I have read, 8.7 is a good Alk number but CA should really be over 400. How do I raise the CA without raising the Alk? Can I just dose component #2 (CA)? I have seen some other posts that say you can, so I think I am good to go but I just want to make sure. I have also seen an online calculator that will help me determine the amount to dose to get to the desired level. Just want to double check and make sure I am doing this correctly. Thanks!

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

What test kit are you using for calcium? What salt mix are you using? Did you go for long periods without doing water changes? 345 ppm seems very low, especially when carbonate alkalinity was about right.

 

[Susan Edwards]

That's what I use and I dose what is needed, not equally. I'm currently trying to bring a new tank up in numbers. I use the calculating tool on Marine depot to tell me how much I need to dose. I take that number and split into 3-4 days so not all at once for each CA/ALK/MG Then test and adjust. I also take what is needed each dosing day and split in half, morning and night.

Example I need 92 ml of ca to raise to 400 from 390 so I split that into 2 40 (20 am and pm) mls, and 2 10 mls. Right now I'm close to needing almost the same in CA and ALK for this tank. My other tank that I dose with an auto doser are adjusted as needed--usually guessing. One element a bit too high, adjust down 1-2 ml per day or opposite if too low.

Right now MG is the one that needs like 250 ml a day for 4-5 days to get it up. Once I'm stable, will get a doser.

https://www.marinedepot.com/md_educ...yzeWyWI6_1tfb0rM5z-KJnTKSCStSGpgaAuuiEALw_wcB

 

[LoneStarReef]

That's what I use and I dose what is needed, not equally. I'm currently trying to bring a new tank up in numbers. I use the calculating tool on Marine depot to tell me how much I need to dose. I take that number and split into 3-4 days so not all at once for each CA/ALK/MG Then test and adjust. I also take what is needed each dosing day and split in half, morning and night.

Example I need 92 ml of ca to raise to 400 from 390 so I split that into 2 40 (20 am and pm) mls, and 2 10 mls. Right now I'm close to needing almost the same in CA and ALK for this tank. My other tank that I dose with an auto doser are adjusted as needed--usually guessing. One element a bit too high, adjust down 1-2 ml per day or opposite if too low.

Right now MG is the one that needs like 250 ml a day for 4-5 days to get it up. Once I'm stable, will get a doser.

https://www.marinedepot.com/md_educ...yzeWyWI6_1tfb0rM5z-KJnTKSCStSGpgaAuuiEALw_wcB

Thanks! Very helpful. Good to know they can be dosed separately.

 

[LoneStarReef]

What test kit are you using for calcium? What salt mix are you using? Did you go for long periods without doing water changes? 345 ppm seems very low, especially when carbonate alkalinity was about right.

Using Instant Ocean. Just tested fresh SW...came out at 390 for CA. I do roughly 6 gallon water changes a week for a total of 24 gallons per month (just under 20%). I will find a salt that is at 400 or above. Test kits are Hanna for alk and Salifert for CA.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Using Instant Ocean. Just tested fresh SW...came out at 390 for CA. I do roughly 6 gallon water changes a week for a total of 24 gallons per month (just under 20%). I will find a salt that is at 400 or above. Test kits are Hanna for alk and Salifert for CA.

Adding a fixed amount of calcium (say, 40 ppm) to each batch may be cheaper than a different mix. [emoji3]

 

[Susan Edwards]

I stopped using instant ocean as my numbers were always so low. I'm using the stuff from Dr. Foster & Smith. Was also using the red sea coral pro but it is so pricey. I use those test kits as well.

 

[LoneStarReef]

Adding a fixed amount of calcium (say, 40 ppm) to each batch may be cheaper than a different mix. [emoji3]

Excellent idea!! What kind of additive would you recommend using?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Excellent idea!! What kind of additive would you recommend using?

Calcium chloride, as from BRS, or Dr F&S, or even Dowflake if you can find it.

I used DowFlake and MAG flake to boost normal IO for many years, and it actually makes new salt water less expensive than normal IO because, pound for pound, those are (or were) cheaper than any salt mix.