Poll: 2 Part dosing and equal/unequal amounts

[UCF Alum]

So this has been posted and asked before, and will be asked 1000 more times. Do you dose an equal amount of two part every day? The OCD comes out in since I’m dosing almost 2 twice as much alk compared to cal. There is no precipitation. Drives me nuts.

 

[Hemmdog]

When my tank was young I used 3x the amount of alk per cal, 8 months in it evened out to equal parts. Now at a year and a few months I dose 6ml’s more of cal than alk.

 

[saltyhog]

I've never dosed the same amounts of 2 part. It's not drastically different but I dose about 15% more alkalinity than calcium now. The biggest difference I can recall in the past is 20% more alkalinity.

 

[Ferrell]

I dose about 6-8 no more Alk than Ca

 

[UCF Alum]

Interesting.
Thanks for the responses all. As long as there’s no precipitation I guess it should be of no concern.

 

[jd371]

Four years ago it started out equal when I first set up the doser but didn't last long, within two weeks I adjusted the alk a little higher. Presently Alk is being dosed at 8ml more than Ca.

 

[Mrsadat]

When my tank was young I used 3x the amount of alk per cal, 8 months in it evened out to equal parts. Now at a year and a few months I dose 6ml’s more of cal than alk.

Question for you, what brand are you using?

 

[Hemmdog]

Question for you, what brand are you using?

Esv b-ionic

 

[Mrsadat]

Esv b-ionic

I’m using the same, but I’ve always been told it’s very important to dose equal. Did you ever encounter any problems not dosing equal part?

 

[Hemmdog]

I’m using the same, but I’ve always been told it’s very important to dose equal. Did you ever encounter any problems not dosing equal part?

Never. Only problems when I did dose equal lol.

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

I dos the same but my Trident doses the adjustments as needed. And it shows different amounts to whatever is needed.

 

[Reefs and Geeks]

I've had astoundingly equal consumption actually. Over the last 3 gallons of 2 part, my Calcium has drifted only 10ppm total.

 

[Mical]

Interesting - following

 

[wrasse hole]

I dose equal parts but mainly because I don't like testing Ca and haven't had any issues. I'm interested to see what other people have to say.

If corals consume Ca and alkalinity in equal parts, what exactly causes the imbalance that requires different dosing amounts?

 

[stanleo]

I only do part 2 with a tank that is 9 months old. My calcium and magnesium levels are always steady at 500 and 1440. I'm sure I will have to start dosing part 1 eventually.

 

[UCF Alum]

I appreciate the feedback. I’m baffled as to why there is an uneven amount dosed with 2 part and what, for me at least, cause almost twice the alk consumption. I know many say to dose more cal, even though it’s already high or holding steady, to bring your alk down to the point you can dose equal amounts. For me that hasn’t happened. Even after doing water changes and hitting the “reset” button does not help. OCD me!

 

[Mrsadat]

I only do part 2 with a tank that is 9 months old. My calcium and magnesium levels are always steady at 500 and 1440. I'm sure I will have to start dosing part 1 eventually.

What kind of salt do you use?

 

[Mical]

I suspect this another case of variable tank husbandry. Speaking w/Travis at FishofHex, he said dose equal amounts and over time it'll level out. But I believe the variable here is how often and how large water changes you do. But those of us who use the Triton theory/method (few water changes, no socks, etc...) it's a matter of testing and adjusting dosing per ALK,Cal & Mag reading. I dose more ALK than Cal and my params are pretty level.

 

[stanleo]

What kind of salt do you use?

Instant Ocean Reef Crystals.

 

[Lithoman]

Bringing this back to the top... I dose more calcium 180 ML to 110 ML Alk.. daily .. my Alk is 8.9 and Cal 440.. pretty steady.