Learning my tanks parameters

ReeferBean · Dec 30, 2014

Sunday 12.21.14 0000am
Cal 390
Alk 9.5
Mag 1280
Phosphate - 0.36
Ph - 8.4

Monday 12.22.14 1120
Cal - 440
Alk - 11.2
Mag - 1400

Did you dose anything between Sunday and Monday? Or a water change? I'm not sure how you are getting higher values unless you test kit isn't working or its testing error. What test kits are you using?

Also noticed you dosed over 300 mls of magnesium in just a couple of days? Randy is the resident expert but I also think that was way too much. Can you have someone verify your test kits? Maybe a friend also in the hobby?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 30, 2014

Start tomorrow at the 10 mL per day of both calcium and alkalinity and stick with that for a few days unless alkalinity gets above 11 dKH again.

unclephatpat42 · Dec 30, 2014

I'm using the red sea kit and also they're brand of supplements. I'm pretty sure I'm testing correct but as for dosing I'm probably wrong.

I have about 60 gallons,so it says 1ml per 25 gallons on the instructions.

I'm still a newb at this so bare with me.

So basically I test, see where my levels are based on the card, let's say it reads Cal 400. Then I check the bottle of calcium and on the back it says how much ml to dose to reach 450ppm. It says I should dose 20ml, so I multiplied it by 2 to make 40ml (1ml=25gallons).

Did I do that right or did I just over dose my tank?

I just got the b-ionic so I'll be dosing this from now on.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 30, 2014

Forget any per gallon instructions unless it is for a one time correction. Use the 10 mL of B-ionic, bearing in mind that you may have to switch to less going forward.

unclephatpat42 · Jan 4, 2015

Randy, If I do a water change and let's say the alk and Cal drop, would I just keep dosing the 140ml and it will raise to the levels or do I have to add supplements of each to reach my target numbers?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 4, 2015

What salt mix are you using? Most won't cause a drop in alkalinity, and only a few will drop calcium.

unclephatpat42 · Jan 4, 2015

Ohh okay, I was just checking,I buy from the lfs but I think they use insta ocean.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 4, 2015

I'd just monitor it. Alk won't drop with a change using IO, but calcium might.

unclephatpat42 · Jan 6, 2015

01.05.15 1230am

Cal - 420ppm
Alk - 8.4 dkh
Mag - 1200ppm
Phosphates - 0.16
Ph -

01.06.15 130pm

Cal - 400ppm
Alk - 10.5 dkh
Mag - 1600 ppm
Phosphates -
Ph -

This is with 10ml of cal/mag/alk

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 6, 2015

What time of day is the alkalinity added?

12:30 AM is 30 minutes after midnight, right?

unclephatpat42 · Jan 6, 2015

Last night around 2am, it hasn't been 24hrs yet, I just tested this afternoon.

unclephatpat42 · Jan 6, 2015

Yup, after mid night

unclephatpat42 · Jan 6, 2015

So what u advise? Do not dose anything tonight? Or go with maybe 5ml?

unclephatpat42 · Jan 7, 2015

Okay I just tested again this morning, I have not added anything since Sunday night, just a water change was done Sunday night before I tested and dosed the 10ml.

Today's parameters

01.06.15

Cal - 500 ppm+
Alk - 9.8dkh
Mag - 1600 ppm +

Please advise.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 7, 2015

The alkalinity value will depend on how long after dosing you take a measurement. That's why I was asking about the times.

Unless it was a really big water change, I don't think the calcium could have risen 100 ppm in a day. So there is some testing uncertainty going on.

Same for magnesium rising 120 ppm in one day (12/21 to 12/22).

Because of this, and the general greater reliability of alkalinity testing, I'd stick to 10 mL of each part of the two part each day.

if you want alkalinity a bit lower, you could try backing off to 8 ml of each part. But 9.8 dKH seems like a fine value to me.

unclephatpat42 · Jan 7, 2015

Okay so even with the parameters with the cal and mag so high, go ahead and dose the 10ml?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 7, 2015

I'm not sure they are really that high. I don't see how they could have gotten there, if your earlier tests were correct.

Try using your calcium and magnesium kits on some new salt water.

unclephatpat42 · Jan 12, 2015

01.09.15 (2045)

Cal - 400ppm
Alk - 9.8
Mag - 1400ppm
Phosphates - 0.08
Ph - 8.2
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite -
Nitrate - 5ppm

01.10.15 (5ml)

Cal - 400ppm
Alk - 9.8dkh
Mag - 1400ppm

01.11.15 (5ml)

Cal - 450ppm
Alk - 9.8
Mag - 1600

unclephatpat42 · Jan 12, 2015

Would u say 5ml is my sweet spot as long as my alk is steady?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 12, 2015

Yes, if that is what you've been adding between 1/9 and 1/11.

Also, the calcium and magnesium jumping around is testing error, not a real change unless you boosted it with a huge amount of supplement.