Kalkwasser advice needed

[john.m.cole3]

didn't see your post before I posted mine. So, .002/day is ok?

 

[cmcoker]

didn't see your post before I posted mine. So, .002/day is ok?

I believe so, @Humblefish @melpyr1985, can confirm.

Slower would also be fine, the fish have a harder time adjust to an increase salinity than a decrease. Sensitive corals may do better with a slower increase as well

Oh and that should be over the course of the day I believe. Not a jump at once.

 

[Humblefish]

I would just topoff with SW, instead of FW, until the SG reaches your desired level. Take the ATO offline and manually topoff for a few days if you have to.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would just topoff with SW, instead of FW, until the SG reaches your desired level. Take the ATO offline and manually topoff for a few days if you have to.

I agree. Using salt water in your ato (or manually) will raise salinity by about 1-2% daily, depending on evaporation rate, and so that would take 1.020 to 1.0204 or 1.025 to 1.0255 per 2% added.

 

[john.m.cole3]

Ok getting down to the potential root of the problem. I calibrated the eefractometr with 35 ppt solution. My water tested 1.020. Measured my new, freshly mixed saltwater at 1.026 and levels were
CA 475
Alk 12.95
Mag 1335
I believe these levels are close to correct fir reef crystals.

Now my plan is to slowly top off with saltwater to get the system at 1.025. Then, allow the parameters to level of before beginning kalkwasser. Or should I try to maintain things with water changes alone first considering my refractometer is calibrated now?

 

[kuikevin]

Get your mag up, it help stabilize the parameter.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd get the water to the salinity that you want, then remeasure alk, calcium, and magnesium, see where things are, and decide what needs correction, and then over a week or so you can monitor alk and see how fast it is dropping to see what sort of regular dosing will be needed.

 

[john.m.cole3]

OK, I finally got my SG up to 1.026 and cross checked it with 35 ppt solution via refractometer. That was 4 days ago and here are my readings
alk - 8.9 dkh
calc - 430
mag - 1500 (all salifert)

I sent out a Triton test today

I wish I would have used the calibration fluid a loooooong time ago.
I feel like things are headed in the right direction finally

My plan is to re-test my levels on Friday, do a 10% WC Saturday and then test again

 

[john.m.cole3]

I feel like this thread should be renamed, "Have you calibrated your refractometer lately?"

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Would raising my salinity by .002 a week for 3 weeks be considered too fast?

A bit late...but that is fine, IMO.