I can't get alk to stabilize. losing sps weekly.

[AcroholicReefer]

I will admit that when I had a larger tank 5+ years ago, the kalk dripper was far easier to set and forget after it settled for 12 hrs. I also used alot less product when using kalk compared to the 3-Part system i'm using now.

I've heard alot of bad press about powerheads constantly clogging when using for a 12 hr stir. Are you using a PH for agitation once/twice daily in your top-off bin?

Yep, the mixing pump is defiantly a key element to a kalk reactor. I'm using an eheim 1250 hooked up externally to my kalk reactor. It is a DIY one but the body looks just like the Geo reactors. The worst part about the kalk reactors on the market today is that they use cheap MJ pumps that are not designed for back pressure but the eheim works like a charm. Every 3 hours the pump turns on for 15 minutes for mixing.

 

[Onedesign1]

I've been using a DIY kalk reactor similar to this design A Reefer in Dubai ! for about 2 months. works great. PH has been locked in at 8.3 and calcium at 450. I manually dose ALK and MAG if needed based on weekly measurements. This design feeds from my ATO tank into the reactor and pushes out the kalk during the top off process. My cheap MJ400 stirs 4 times a day for 30 minutes.

 

[Just Clownin Around]

i use b-ionic on a dosing pump system and i have acros growing out of the water. once you set it up just check every month and adjust your levels. simple especially if you dont have the storage for the bulk stuff

 

[Stpatrick]

Tagging along

 

[secretreefer]

ok update: alk back up to 10dkh. i believe i was dosing too little. did a 35ml code A, 35ml code B since friday and with some seachem reefbuilder (just using up what i got on hand) and it's stabilizing. i think a 25ml each daily without the reefbuilder will keep everything in check. also did a water change 25g.

 

[secretreefer]

update. alk is up to 13??? been dosing 25ml code A and code B every day. idk, i was dosing 25ml every other day (sometimes missed 1 day) and my alk was down low 6-7. now it's doubled. i guess i should cut my dosing down to 15-20 ml daily?

 

[GR808]

Bro, let's analyze this for a moment. U went from 25ml every other day and it couldn't maintain 10dkh. Then u went to 35ml everyday and it jumped up to 13dkh? I would double check your dosage amount and test everyday to monitor the swing closely. Test first before u dose. Don't add any more coral as well

 

[kuyatwo]

Also test at the same time everyday


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[shred5]

Ok I didn’t read the whole thread but looking at the title I am guessing it’s your magnesium levels. If you magnesium is low you will have a hard time stabilizing alk and calcium levels.

Also high calcium levels can lead to low alk levels.

I saw some people in the thread suggest kalk (calcium hydroxide). This will not help you at this point. Calcium hydroxide is only for maintaining calcium and alk levels not raising them. Once stabilized then kalk is awsum unless your tank runs high ph because kalk will push your ph higher.


Dave Polzin

 

[secretreefer]

thanks guys, i'll be checking alk, mag, ca every day around 415pm until i get it stabilized. So until alk drops back to 10dkh should i stop dosing 2 part?

 

[GR808]

Bro I would stop dosing until its more stabilized.

 

[VegasRick]

Actually theres no need to check Mag or Ca daily. From the estimates I have seen Mg usage runs about 2ppm per day. Checking it once a month should be plenty. I thought it had already been recommended to check every day. You really only need to monitor alkalinity to figure out your usage. Alk is more sensitive and will be able to dial it in closer. Figure out what your daily consumption is and use the reef calculator to determine the appropriate amount. Then test it daily to make sure it is spot on and adjust small amounts until you have it right. As you get it dialed in you can test less and less. I always test mine at least once a week though.

 

[GR808]

Update!!!
Ok secretreefer needs any help we can give him... He just tested the alk today and it was between 7-8dkh... Could that happen, 13dkh one day and 7-8dkh in 24 hrs?????? I didn't think it was possible but he tested it 3 times today... I cant figure it out... Any suggestions please

 

[VegasRick]

Might have been testing error yesterday. If nothing else was changed other than that he stopped dosing the he needs to start dosing as I suggested in the previous post.

 

[GR808]

thanks Rick.. But can alk drop that quickly?

 

[secretreefer]

yup dosing started back up. gave it a break for a day. so back to 25ml/ code A and code B daily.

 

[secretreefer]

ok so my alk was at 12-13dkh wednesday, yesterday tested at 8dkh. is that even possible? faulty test kit? i did dual testing with a salifert alk kit and did get the same results a week ago or so so i assumed my "new" test kit was testing correctly. i stopped dosing for 1 day. thanks again for all the help everyone, lost 2 more frags yesterday......total is around 5 so far........i might have to get a new test kit.....

 

[AcroholicReefer]

It is certainly possible, all systems are different. What is your magnesium levels again?

 

[VegasRick]

I think he said the Mg level was around 1400. And like acroholic said it is possible depending on the system. I have had 4 dkh drop in a 100 gallon system per day.
If your usage is that high then you should be dosing twice a day. Half the amount of course. Or even 4 times a day. The problem is with that much usage you are still going to have daily swings that are stressful to the acros unless you do split it up into several times a day

 

[secretreefer]

thanks bro. yes mag is around 1400 last tested. i'm sure it's around the same. i do have a aquamedic dual doser so i'm in the process of setting that and a gfo/carbon dual reactor(from BRS). so you're saying i need to dose half a daily dose in the morning and the other half when i get home from work?

I think he said the Mg level was around 1400. And like acroholic said it is possible depending on the system. I have had 4 dkh drop in a 100 gallon system per day.
If your usage is that high then you should be dosing twice a day. Half the amount of course. Or even 4 times a day. The problem is with that much usage you are still going to have daily swings that are stressful to the acros unless you do split it up into several times a day