Help: 2 parts dosing

[tuanc704]

Hello,
I'm new to 2 parts dosing and I have a newbie questions regarding how to properly dosing these 2 parts.
I have a 80 net gallons and running neptune DOS with BRS 2 parts

Calcium - I tested it with API test kit at 16 drops to get 320, How much volume do I need to dose to bring my tank up to 450?
Alkalinity - Tested with API test kit at 13 drop to get to yellow color. I have no idea what is my tank alk and I need help to bring my alk up to par

Any helps would be greatly appreciated

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Let's back up. Those kits are not especially accurate so we need to try to assess the likelihood of getting those results (high alk of 13 dKH and low calcium of 320 ppm).

What salt mix are you using and what salinity do you think it is (and measured how)?

Have you ever tried these kits on your new salt water?

Have you dosed anything at all?

 

[tuanc704]

Let's back up. Those kits are not especially accurate so we need to try to assess the likelihood of getting those results (high alk of 13 dKH and low calcium of 320 ppm).

Please advise of what is the best testing kit(s) for accurate reading?

What salt mix are you using and what salinity do you think it is (and measured how)? My salinity reading is at 1.025
I'm using Reef Crystal

Have you ever tried these kits on your new salt water?
No, I had not try this kit on my new saltwater,
I have these tests through my LFS

Have you dosed anything at all?
I'm currently dosing
15ml of calcium from 6am to 8pm
11.5ml of ALK from 8pm to 6am[/QUOTE]

Thanks Randy

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There are a number of good kit brands. Many people like Salifert.

Try what you have on the new salt water.

I would speculate that the alk is correct (and will be the same in the new salt water) and that the calcium measurement is not accurate (you can only get there with reef Crystals by dosing a lot of alk and no calcium). RC usually has much more calcium.

 

[tuanc704]

There are a number of good kit brands. Many people like Salifert.

Try what you have on the new salt water.

I would speculate that the alk is correct (and will be the same in the new salt water) and that the calcium measurement is not accurate (you can only get there with reef Crystals by dosing a lot of alk and no calcium). RC usually has much more calcium.

Thanks for the advises
I will get me the test kits you recommended
My next question is, before I test the new salt, do I keep the same dosing volumes of both parts the same or change the volume of any of them?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the advises
I will get me the test kits you recommended
My next question is, before I test the new salt, do I keep the same dosing volumes of both parts the same or change the volume of any of them?

I'd stop dosing completely. Usually, if alkalinity has not declined in a newer tank, there's no need to dose alkalinity or calcium, and 13 dKH indicates no drop in alkalinity.