New to testing parameters & need guidance

[Xandernfs]

I finally tested my water for the first time and came up with some fairly interesting results.

Before water change:
Ca-350
Mg-1400
Alk-5.6

After water change:
Ca-400
Mg-1600
Alk-6.72

**Things to note: Red Sea Test Kit & using Fritz Salt. NO3 & PO4 are at 0. My pH has been on the lower side since the windows have been up but my apex probe is reading around 7.6-7.8.

So I know stability is key so I don't want to go crazy and try to change the numbers over night. My coral seems to be doing well I have all LPS and softies. Pipe organ is doing great as well as my frogspawn. My acans are nice and big, but not really growing.

What approach should I take? How can I get my numbers in check or closer to the 'normal range'

I don't really want to buy a doser at the moment since I can dose daily or weekly. I know I will need to eventually get one, but it's just not on the short list at the moment. Light upgrade is on the short list.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I finally tested my water for the first time and came up with some fairly interesting results.

Before water change:
Ca-350
Mg-1400
Alk-5.6

After water change:
Ca-400
Mg-1600
Alk-6.72

**Things to note: Red Sea Test Kit & using Fritz Salt. NO3 & PO4 are at 0. My pH has been on the lower side since the windows have been up but my apex probe is reading around 7.6-7.8.

So I know stability is key so I don't want to go crazy and try to change the numbers over night. My coral seems to be doing well I have all LPS and softies. Pipe organ is doing great as well as my frogspawn. My acans are nice and big, but not really growing.

What approach should I take? How can I get my numbers in check or closer to the 'normal range'

I don't really want to buy a doser at the moment since I can dose daily or weekly. I know I will need to eventually get one, but it's just not on the short list at the moment. Light upgrade is on the short list.

That sounds about correct. How often are you doing water changes?

 

[Xandernfs]

That sounds about correct. How often are you doing water changes?

I do 4.5 gallons weekly which is a little shy of 10%. So you're saying my parameters are good?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I do 4.5 gallons weekly which is a little shy of 10%. So you're saying my parameters are good?

Sorry, i meant your parameter consumption. You may want to start dosing to get your levels up. Or increase your amount of water changes. You want Calcium around 420-450, alk around 8, and mag around 1300

 

[Xandernfs]

Sorry, i meant your parameter consumption. You may want to start dosing to get your levels up. Or increase your amount of water changes. You want Calcium around 420-450, alk around 8, and mag around 1300

So instead of doing 4.5 gallons, I could do 9 gallons? That would give me ~14% weekly. I'm assuming that I my numbers would not get too high since I'm using the same salt?

 

[Crabs McJones]

So instead of doing 4.5 gallons, I could do 9 gallons? That would give me ~14% weekly. I'm assuming that I my numbers would not get too high since I'm using the same salt?

It's definitely something you can try and test to see how it does Changing out more means replacing with more calcium and mag, so it should increase your levels.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

So instead of doing 4.5 gallons, I could do 9 gallons? That would give me ~14% weekly. I'm assuming that I my numbers would not get too high since I'm using the same salt?

It depends what the chemistry is of your salt mix. Have you tested the calcium, carbonate alkalinity and magnesium of the newly mixed saltwater?

Changing water will make the parameters rise (provided your salt mix has higher alkalinity, calcium and magnesium than your tank). In my opinion, however, it's not very efficient. Changing water to raise mineral levels means throwing gallons of good water down the drain to do something that a few milliliters of additive could accomplish. I would personally spend a few bucks and get some calcium chloride from Bulk Reef Supply and mix up a DIY solution. I would mix up some baking soda to make an alkalinity additive per Randy's instructions. Then, just use the calculator on BRS's website to see how much you need to dose. Try to raise the calcium by only 15 - 25 ppm per day, and the alkalinity by 0.5 dKh per day or less.

Your pH may improve slightly as your alkalinity rises. While CO2 has a larger effect on pH than carbonate levels, higher alkalinity will generally translate into higher pH, even in high CO2 conditions.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I doubt water changes are the best bet.

Dosing a two part is easy.

 

[Xandernfs]

It depends what the chemistry is of your salt mix. Have you tested the calcium, carbonate alkalinity and magnesium of the newly mixed saltwater?

Changing water will make the parameters rise (provided your salt mix has higher alkalinity, calcium and magnesium than your tank). In my opinion, however, it's not very efficient. Changing water to raise mineral levels means throwing gallons of good water down the drain to do something that a few milliliters of additive could accomplish. I would personally spend a few bucks and get some calcium chloride from Bulk Reef Supply and mix up a DIY solution. I would mix up some baking soda to make an alkalinity additive per Randy's instructions. Then, just use the calculator on BRS's website to see how much you need to dose. Try to raise the calcium by only 15 - 25 ppm per day, and the alkalinity by 0.5 dKh per day or less.

Your pH may improve slightly as your alkalinity rises. While CO2 has a larger effect on pH than carbonate levels, higher alkalinity will generally translate into higher pH, even in high CO2 conditions.

So would I just do the alkalinity portion? Would I add this directly to the tank daily or would I add it to my top off water?

I'm assuming I'm going to have to do this daily as my coral is consuming this at a fairly fast rate?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So would I just do the alkalinity portion? Would I add this directly to the tank daily or would I add it to my top off water?

I'm assuming I'm going to have to do this daily as my coral is consuming this at a fairly fast rate?

No, you should use both parts of a two part for supplementation. Directly to tank as often as needed to maintain alkalinity, and use the same amount of calcium part unless the calcium is already too high before dosing.

 

[Xandernfs]

No, you should use both parts of a two part for supplementation. Directly to tank as often as needed to maintain alkalinity, and use the same amount of calcium part unless the calcium is already too high before dosing.

I'm sorry if I seem dense, but this is just VERY new to me. If I were to purchase a doser, I could set it up and not have to worry once the correct calibrations are in effect. If I were to use this 2 part dosing, would I dose once a week or how often?

I just find it hard to believe that I have enough coral in my tank (65 gallons) to us that much of everything. I'm not complaining, but more just surprised.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm sorry if I seem dense, but this is just VERY new to me. If I were to purchase a doser, I could set it up and not have to worry once the correct calibrations are in effect. If I were to use this 2 part dosing, would I dose once a week or how often?

I just find it hard to believe that I have enough coral in my tank (65 gallons) to us that much of everything. I'm not complaining, but more just surprised.

I personally would not rush to get a doser until you determine you have enough daily demand to warrant it, although it doesn't hurt to have it and use it right away.

Manual dosing frequency depends on the demand (consumption) rate. Might be once a day, twice a day, once a week, etc.

Boost alk to your target and see how long it takes to decline. That will tell you how often you need to dose.

This has more on why and how to dose calcium and alkalinity:

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/the-many-methods-for-supplementing-calcium-and-alkalinity

 

[Xandernfs]

Thanks for your response, I really appreciate it!

One more question: When should I add everything to balance it out? I'm assuming the best time would be a day or so after a water change?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That's a fine time to dose. But you could also do it now.