Ok... I'm lost. Help please. CA and ALK

[clowninaround74]

I have searched for hours but still feel confused about this. So my plan for the 60g cube is to be SPS dominant with zoa's and a few LPS here and there. In the past, I had more of an LPS dominant tank with some SPS (a few monti's and acros) but nothing crazy. I always had luck using Tropic Marin Bio-Calcium. Calcium and alk always seemed to stay in check. I've considered using this again but can't remember if it really includes anything to boost alk as well.

With some recent acro frags added to the tank, I wanted to really better my understanding of dosing and get some recommendations. I'm confident that my 5g water changes every 3-4 days won't keep up for long.

The monti's in the tank are really coloring up nice and already seeing growth so I'm happy with that, however, I know they're a whole lot different then acros.

I don't have room for a reactor and am nervous about dosing 2 Part as I've never done it before... And again have limited space in my stand.

Soooo..... What do I do? Again, I really liked the Bio-Calcium but is that the best option?

Any help/advice is very much appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

[JMSKI333]

Have you considered running Kalkwasser in your topoff water? It is the easiest method to keep things stable IMO.

 

[mike007]

2 part is really easy and economical. You can buy the bulk additives and mix them yourself. As far as dosing you have to test first and then you can use the brs calculater to determine how much to dose to bring your levels up to where you want them. Then you can determine what your tank is consuming so you can maintain levels.

 

[clowninaround74]

Does this require dosing pumps or can it be added manually?

I guess I should also ask are there any small footprint CA reactors out there?

 

[mike007]

Dosing pumps are really the best way to dose because you can keep your parameters stable. But you can also dose manually If you wish. Make sure you dose the calcium and alkalinity separately. Also you will need to test your magnesium and maintain between 1300=1400 range.

 

[clowninaround74]

Seems all too complicated... But with anything I'm sure once I get started I should get the hang of it.

Is there a lot of benefit to the expensive dosing pumps over the ones that come with the BRS bulk pack?

 

[WhoKnew]

I just happened to come across this post. I am concerned that I don't know how to test for Ca?

 

[Alabamareef]

A good test kit is worth it's weight in gold. There are many on the market and for me Salifert test kits have worked best, Bulk Reef Supply, www.bulkreefsupply.com/testing/salifert.html. I would never dose without testing first and log your results so you can recognize trends. 2 part daily dosing or just use Kalk in your ATO are very good ways to dose your tank as well as being very easy.
Use the KIS method, "Keep it Simple"

 

[Reefing Madness]

The BioCal only brings up the Calcium Carbonite levels, not the Alk (bicarbonite). But, you could use your BioCal for Cal and just use Baking Soda for your Alk adjustements. No fuss no muss theres. Dose as needed, you don't need a doser, thats for people who want a completely hands free maintenance tank.

 

[Reefing Madness]

I just happened to come across this post. I am concerned that I don't know how to test for Ca?

Aquarium Water Testing: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals KH/carbonate and Calcium Test Kits

 

[beaslbob]

follow the diy two part methods in the stickie for this forum. It is extremely easy and very very economical.

Must be easy. I did it. LOL


my .02

 

[joekool]

I personally use salifert tests and I use BRS 2 parts manually its not that hard. Kit comes with Ca Mg alk.

 

[clowninaround74]

Just tested my levels prior to adding anything. I did a 5g water change this morning.

PH: 8.2
CA: 440
dKH: 7.7

I don't have a mag test kit so I'm not sure on that ppm measurement. I'd like to raise my all I guess to around 9 right now. Just use baking soda per the BRS calculator?

 

[joekool]

I haven't use dabbing soda only the BRS soda ash. But I assume that the selection for dry sodium bicarbonate would be the selection on the calc you want to use.

You should get a Mg test so you can keep it up. I don't know what salt you use but you could use Red Sea coral pro salt and do weekly water changes. That would keep levels up without having to dose much.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Yea, you can use the BRS Alk calculator for dosing Baking Soda.
Use product dry Sodium bicarbonate

 

[clowninaround74]

Thanks for all of the help. I used the BRS calculator and used baking soda to raise the alk. I went slow and eventually bumped it from 7.7 to 9 which is the most I will raise it today. I'm surprised at how easy that was.

Thanks again

 

[mcarroll]

Mostly good info about 2-part so far. Not so much on the kalk/BioCalcium.

BioCalcium is Calcium Acetate...which is lime (kalk) plus vinegar...which provides perfectly balanced calcium and alkalinity just like likewater, only it's easier to store and dose since there are no longer pH/precipitation issues as with plain limewater. This means you don't really even need dosing pumps as you can dose the dry powder directly into the tank water.

Any method will get the job done whether you pick balling, 2-part, kalk or kalk+vinegar (BioCalcium). The "best" is the one that you succeed with.

I hope this helps!

-Matt

 

[clowninaround74]

Thanks for the info!

 

[tektite]

Thanks for all of the help. I used the BRS calculator and used baking soda to raise the alk. I went slow and eventually bumped it from 7.7 to 9 which is the most I will raise it today. I'm surprised at how easy that was.

Thanks again

Wow, you might want to slow down a little! 7.7 to 9 in one day is a big jump for SPS. If there aren't any problems at the moment, slow changes are your best bet. Easy on the corals.

 

[clowninaround74]

This was changed over the period of 6 hours. I figured it was within the 1.4 dKH recommendation that BRS has on the website calculator so id be ok. Corals don't show any signs or stress and even have better PE today