Finally tested dkh and calcium... now what to do for dosing?

[Be102]

So I finally got my Hanna alk checker and a Red Sea calc test. I did my Hanna alk twice and got 6.5 and then 6.4. I then did my calc and got what I think is like 460-500 for calc ( can’t really be sure will get better at testing..)

I currently have esv-b ionic 2 part ( alk and calc. )

I haven’t dosed before so I don’t want to overdue anything..

my tank is prob 80gallons tots water volume. But I’d say let’s call it 65 to be safe. At that rate the bottle says to start off at 1 ml per 4 gallons so I’m looking at 16.25ml dose of each correct?? Can I just pour it into my return section or should I pour it directly into my tank?

can I do it at any tile of the day or a specific time?
I will eventually get to the point where I can auto dose and whatnot down the line just want to get this done Manually and start to see some improvement with coral growth.

what should I look for as a dkh and calc?
Is it normal for my dkh to be as low as it is and my calc being around 460-500? Maybe I did my calc test wrong...

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

So I finally got my Hanna alk checker and a Red Sea calc test. I did my Hanna alk twice and got 6.5 and then 6.4. I then did my calc and got what I think is like 460-500 for calc ( can’t really be sure will get better at testing..)

I currently have esv-b ionic 2 part ( alk and calc. )

I haven’t dosed before so I don’t want to overdue anything..

my tank is prob 80gallons tots water volume. But I’d say let’s call it 65 to be safe. At that rate the bottle says to start off at 1 ml per 4 gallons so I’m looking at 16.25ml dose of each correct?? Can I just pour it into my return section or should I pour it directly into my tank?

can I do it at any tile of the day or a specific time?
I will eventually get to the point where I can auto dose and whatnot down the line just want to get this done Manually and start to see some improvement with coral growth.

what should I look for as a dkh and calc?
Is it normal for my dkh to be as low as it is and my calc being around 460-500? Maybe I did my calc test wrong...

Don't worry about the calcium. It has little effect on corals unless it's too low. Stabilize the alkalinity in the 7-8 range first. I would do a water change to correct such a discrepancy in bulk parameters. Hope this helps!

 

[Be102]

Don't worry about the calcium. It has little effect on corals unless it's too low. Stabilize the alkalinity in the 7-8 range first. I would do a water change to correct such a discrepancy in bulk parameters. Hope this helps!

Any preferred salt? I’m looking to do awc very soon and would something that doesn’t precipitate too much

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd just add B=ionic alk part to boost the alk to the desired range

Reef Chemistry Calculator
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html

Then maintain alk using equal parts alk and calcium dosing, and don't agonize over the calcium value.

 

[Be102]

I'd just add B=ionic alk part to boost the alk to the desired range

Reef Chemistry Calculator
http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html

Then maintain alk using equal parts alk and calcium dosing, and don't agonize over the calcium value.

Great thank you.
Do you recommend I use just the starter levels to get to the right levels ? (1ml per 4 gallons?!)

New to dosing and don’t want to add too much or anything like that


Do I turn my skimmer off as well?

 

[lapin]

No need to turn your skimmer off. Just use the calculator and plan to raise it about 0.5 . Give it a while to mix in with your water. Then test again and see how you did.

 

[Be102]

No need to turn your skimmer off. Just use the calculator and plan to raise it about 0.5 . Give it a while to mix in with your water. Then test again and see how you did.

Wohoo ! I tested it after adding the alk and I got 6.9!

my ph seemed to rise a little bit ( from 8.1 to 8.38) but nothing seems upset as I just have some corals.

I added 16ml and it raised I’d say .5 will I just use this same measurement daily until I get to an alk leveL of my preference? What is the desired alk?

I’ll test calcium again in a few days to see if it’s at an appropriate level. Why would alk be so low whilst calc is at a decent level?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Wohoo ! I tested it after adding the alk and I got 6.9!

my ph seemed to rise a little bit ( from 8.1 to 8.38) but nothing seems upset as I just have some corals.

I added 16ml and it raised I’d say .5 will I just use this same measurement daily until I get to an alk leveL of my preference? What is the desired alk?

I’ll test calcium again in a few days to see if it’s at an appropriate level. Why would alk be so low whilst calc is at a decent level?

That is what happens when you start with a typical salt mix and use both. There is a much bigger reservoir of calcium in seawater than alk, so equal use of both results in a much bigger percentage drop in alk.