How do you correct levels before dosing 2-part? CA + Alky

[Simply__J]

How exactly do you make corrections to calcium and alkalinity levels before starting/routinely dosing 2-Part?

Do you increase both Ca & Alk to the desired levels initially;

1. By dosing equal amounts in scheduled increments based on the difference of the current levels compared to the desired levels?
2. Dosing equal amounts recommended by the manufacturer (In this case Two Little Fishies C-Balance) until you reach your desired levels?
3. Dosing uneven amounts in increments until each parameter is individually at its desired level?
4. Pouring in the entire amount suggested by the reef chemistry calculator to make up the difference for both Ca & Alk?

Below are my parameters along with a screenshot of the recommended dosing amounts based on the rcc. It seems like an unreasonably large amount to dose to get to CA@450ppm and [email protected]

Tank Info: 45 Gal. (total water volume 50-55 gal) mixed reef cube, 5 small fish, clean up crew, about 40lbs of rock, 2-3 inch deep sand bed. Sump with Protein skimmer, marinepure spheres, chaeto reactor, biopellet reactor, inline UV sterilizer, carbon, purigen, heater, flow...blasé, blasé.

 

[Reeferdood]

The easiest way is water changes using a mix that matches your desired levels. May I ask why you are seeking such a high alkalinity value?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would limit the calcium boost to maybe 25-50 ppm per day, largely out of concern for impurities.

If you now you want alk that high, I'd raise it no more than 1 dKH per day if there are hard corals present.

Equal amounts dosing is not for making such adjustments, just for routine dosing.

 

[Simply__J]

The easiest way is water changes using a mix that matches your desired levels. May I ask why you are seeking such a high alkalinity value?

I do 20% waterchanges using natural seawater from my lfs every 2 weeks. All though it helps with nutrient export the increase in Ca and Alk is minimal.

I did a water change on 10/21 tested again 10/22 went from 370ppm to 380ppm (Ca) and 7 dKh to 7.6dKh

I also tested the nsw from the lfs. It was at 400ppm and 6.4dkh. So water ch as nges just aren't cutting it for me.

To answer your question. Those are the numbers suggested by RedSea for mixed reef success which when I had my levels close to that in my old system I had the best grow out. Which is what I'm looking for at the moment.

 

[Simply__J]

I would limit the calcium boost to maybe 25-50 ppm per day, largely out of concern for impurities.

If you now you want alk that high, I'd raise it no more than 1 dKH per day if there are hard corals present.

Equal amounts dosing is not for making such adjustments, just for routine dosing.

Thanks it had been beating mead up about for days.

 

[laverda]

That is a pretty high ALK level. Most keep alk more around 8-9 DKH. With your DKH so high you can easily get it excessively high. If you want it that high defiantly raise it slowly or your corals will bleach.
What ever level you want you should adjust you water change water to your desired levels before using it.

 

[Simply__J]

That is a pretty high ALK level. Most keep alk more around 8-9 DKH. With your DKH so high you can easily get it excessively high. If you want it that high defiantly raise it slowly or your corals will bleach.
What ever level you want you should adjust you water change water to your desired levels before using it.

Thanks. Like I previously mentioned in my 55 gal I kept it comparably high and only did so following one of the Red Sea recipes. (I know we shouldn't chase numbers) I was just curious as to how to make up the difference. The gap seemed so large.