Low alk

blackgate · Jul 25, 2015

I just transferred over to the triton method 1 week ago from dosing BRS alk and calcium. I was dosing 46 ml of BRS alk and it kept my 93 sps tank solid at 8 dkh. I am now up to dosing 60 ml of elementz 1 and still am struggling to stay at 7.2 dkh. I mixed the 4 elementz containers exactly as the instructions on the bottles stated. I just wanted to see if anyone else had this situation happen as well. To me, it seems like I am dosing a lot of elementz right now and I am still low on my alk.

blackgate · Jul 25, 2015

Anyone seen this issue? Is it because the elementz 1 is not as concentrated as the BRS soda ash?

twilliard · Jul 25, 2015

May I ask have you done a triton test and what is your calcium at?
this is a balanced system and all need to be dosed equally
More equipment info may be needed. You don't have a cal reactor running do you?

twilliard · Jul 25, 2015

You might want to bring this up with randy

Reef Chemistry by Randy Holmes-Farley forum

blackgate · Jul 25, 2015

I do not run a calcium reactor and I have not checked my calcium levels. My understanding was that you should set your alk to 8 and evenly dose the other 3 to match. I thought alk was elementz 1.

twilliard · Jul 25, 2015

It is #1 but with increased calcium your alk will drop

I would recommend testing your cal

blackgate · Jul 25, 2015

Ok I will test it. If calcium is too high do I start dropping dose rate of elementz 2 and just keep testing alk?

twilliard · Jul 25, 2015

No if it is too high stop all triton and dose your alk till the numbers come into range.
post your cal number and we can figure it out

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 25, 2015

I'm not sure how concentrated they make their supplement, but if it is sodium bicarbonate-based, it likely is more dilute and you just need to add more.

blackgate · Jul 25, 2015

Ok i will post my numbers as soon as I get back

twilliard · Jul 25, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I'm not sure how concentrated they make their supplement, but if it is sodium bicarbonate-based, it likely is more dilute and you just need to add more.

Hi Randy
I dilute my mix 2-1 because of the high concentration.
on 80g of volume I dose 3.5Ml per hour with triton.

Is it not true if calcium is high it will drag down alk?

Also a possibility it was mixed wrong by OP?

blackgate · Jul 25, 2015

I mixed 9 2/3 liters (approx 2.5 gallons) with the entire contents of elementz 1. I have seen this ratio on several websites now so I really don't think I mixed it wrong. If you are dosing 3.5 per hour that's 84ml in a 24 hour period. I am only dosing 60 ml in a 24 hour period in a heavily stocked 93 sps tank. I bet I am just not dosing enough. I will say this though, I have never seen such dramatic polyp extension at night as I have now that I have changed over to triton. I really wonder if it's just because of the lower alk though. I run an ultra low nutrient system and if I go over 8 to 8.2 dkh I get stn on bases.

blackgate · Jul 25, 2015

Whoops I see that you have diluted your mix so I guess that argument does not apply. I am pretty sure that if I have high calcium and lower alk I will start seeing precipitation. Maybe not though, I am sure Randy can shed some light on this!

twilliard · Jul 25, 2015

Yes randy will have insight but he may be right!
60 Ml to 90g sure seems high but if heavily stocked may need more

I love how my coral grow and react with the triton method and sure as they say less water changes! Love it!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 25, 2015

Unless the calcium is above 550 ppm, it is more likely that he is just not dosing enough.

twilliard · Jul 25, 2015

Thanks again randy!

blackgate · Jul 25, 2015

I will post my test results tomorrow when I get home. Thank you guys for the help

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 25, 2015

You're welcome.

Good luck!

gpwdr · Jul 25, 2015

The corals and coralline algae grow faster and faster exponentially. So they require more and more, so be prepared to dose more and more. I was told by Vince in Europe not to chase the numbers. Just monitor the DKH.