If these were your tank numbers....Alk and CA

[CoralsAddiction]

Would you start dosing? Manual or automated? Thanks
40B+20L sump.

 

[biophilia]

Whether or not I'd set up auto-dosing with those parameters isn't really possible to answer without knowing what the daily, or weekly, alkalinity and calcium consumption are. In general, though, I like to keep both higher, so would manually dose to where I like to keep them (8.5-9.5DKH, 400-450ppm Ca).

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Whether or not I'd set up auto-dosing with those parameters isn't really possible to answer without knowing what the daily, or weekly, alkalinity and calcium consumption are.

10% WC is done weekly. So the higher numbers are immediately post water change and the lower numbers are a week after. That’s weekly consumption.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

The saltwater mix (RC) seems to replenish calcium nicely but alkalinity not so much.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Since my Derasa clam started to grow like there’s no tomorrow my dKH has been lower. The clam was 3” when I bought it a year ago. Now it’s 6”-7” easily.

 

[Fernthereefer]

I would dose to bring these numbers at a higher range and then adjust for daily consumption, just a thought. Although your calcium seems fine at 440.

 

[Spieg]

Your tank's weekly consumption is less than my tank's daily consumption. For now, I'd probably look at dosing 2-part once a week midway between water changes and call it good,

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Your tank's weekly consumption is less than my tank's daily consumption. For now, I'd probably look at dosing 2-part once a week midway between water changes and call it good,

I think that’s a great start. Dose once a week and see where the numbers are. Thanks.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Your tank's weekly consumption is less than my tank's daily consumption

Lol that’s crazy. I’ve kept things relatively simple. For years it had been a softy tank. Then a year ago I started adding LPS and some SPS but the trigger for fluctuation was that clam (I think).

 

[CoralsAddiction]

The day after making the 10% water change I made a 5% water change. Today my calcium measured at 500 and dKH 6.6. Need to get that alkalinity higher.

 

[92Miata]

I've yet to see a tank that has coral growing well, isn't dosing, and is able to keep alkalinity in a reasonable range via water changes alone. They all end up down in that <= 6 range.

When you start dosing these tanks, growth always picks way up, and people are surprised how much alkalinity the tank ends up consuming.

Dose. Automated or not, your tank will be better off.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

I just ordered a Bubble Magus doser. Also ordered Fluvial Sea Alkalinity 8OZ bottle since it's on sale for under $4 at Petco. I'll order 2part on Black Friday sale next week.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Would you start dosing? Manual or automated? Thanks
40B+20L sump.

FWIW, one or both of the calcium values is in error. For a 10% change to boost calcium by 55 ppm would mean the new salt water was nearly 1,000 ppm calcium.

 

[stanleo]

I will tell you what I learned. For the longest time I was dosing manually 2 part and it seemed to be ok but my numbers weren't all that stable and after a while my alk dropped to lower than yours and I had to figure it all out. My calcium would always be high and never drop. I did some research and found this. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/1-gallon-mix-soda-ash-5-pack-bulk-reef-supply-bundle.html

I followed these instructions and bought an auto doser and started dosing soda ash daily. Now all my numbers are more stable and my calcium is finally showing a steady predictable drop so I have ordered this

Bulk Pharma Calcium Chloride 7 Pounds

Bulk Pharma Calcium Chloride - Ultra Pure Calcium Additive for your Reef Tank! Bulk Reef Supply 2-part additives are the perfect solution to replenish the intake of calcium and alkalinity coral consumes when it grows. Using only pharmaceutical based ingredients allows you to keep a cleaner reef...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I will follow those instructions and start dosing the calcium chloride daily.

I also noticed since I got this under control, my corals are growing faster and my BTA that never was much of a bubble tip has actually bubble tips now.

And I also agree that those readings might be in error. For your calcium to jump that high, your fresh salt mix must have a ridiculously high calcium reading.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

The RC salt mix calcium level is high. It’s the main reason I had to stop using Salifert test kit. There were times the level would be so high the test kit couldn’t read it. To be more specific the calcium level would be above the highest test number.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

so the bottom line is I’ve had two different test kits give me high calcium levels. As such it’s more of a salt mix issue than “error” readings.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

so the bottom line is I’ve had two different test kits give me high calcium levels. As such it’s more of a salt mix issue than “error” readings.

That wouldn't be surprising, or much of a concern. Some salt mixes start above 500 ppm, and that is fine.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

For those unfamiliar with Salifert, the highest detectable calcium level is 500. That’s why I switched to Hanna

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

For those unfamiliar with Salifert, the highest detectable calcium level is 500. That’s why I switched to Hanna

But that isn't true. You can test any level you want. Just begin a second syringe and add the value from it to the first one. That is true of any type of titration test.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

But that isn't true. You can test any level you want. Just begin a second syringe and add the value from it to the first one. That is true of any type of titration test.

What you say is right and that’s how I was able to get a 520 reading with Salifert. But I don’t want to do that moving forward.