Problems with Calcium and Alkalinity uptake.

[Coidy92]

Hi all,

Quite new to the reefing scene and these last few months have been a steep learning curve. It's not so much a problem I have rather a misunderstanding. As I've started to stock my tank with more corals I've become more and more concerned over calcium, alkalinity and magnesium intake. I've been testing regularly with salifert test kits for all three and currently my levels are.

Sg- 35PPT
Ca - 460
Kh - 9.9
Mg - 1350

I've worked out that my daily intake of calcium is at 5PPM per day. The problem is however that my Alkalinity doesn't shift at all. I've tested over 7 days the total reduction of calcium and Alkalinity then divided by 7 to work out my daily intake for dosing. The reason this is a problem is ive got Red Sea Reef Foundation ABC+ as my dosing supplement and if I were to add the stated dosage which is worked out on calcium intake then I'm worried that my Alkalinity is going to skyrocket. My knowledge of the chemistry is vague at best but I thought that as calcium was reduced within the tank so was Alkalinity proportionately. Do I add the Red Sea ABC+ and just keep testing my Alkalinity to ensure it doesn't go up any more or look at just dosing calcium on it's own.
Thanks in Advance

 

[smpolyp]

Just remember the test kits we hobbiest use are budgeted for us. Precision maybe off several ppm. Look for treads.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi all,

Quite new to the reefing scene and these last few months have been a steep learning curve. It's not so much a problem I have rather a misunderstanding. As I've started to stock my tank with more corals I've become more and more concerned over calcium, alkalinity and magnesium intake. I've been testing regularly with salifert test kits for all three and currently my levels are.

Sg- 35PPT
Ca - 460
Kh - 9.9
Mg - 1350

I've worked out that my daily intake of calcium is at 5PPM per day. The problem is however that my Alkalinity doesn't shift at all. I've tested over 7 days the total reduction of calcium and Alkalinity then divided by 7 to work out my daily intake for dosing. The reason this is a problem is ive got Red Sea Reef Foundation ABC+ as my dosing supplement and if I were to add the stated dosage which is worked out on calcium intake then I'm worried that my Alkalinity is going to skyrocket. My knowledge of the chemistry is vague at best but I thought that as calcium was reduced within the tank so was Alkalinity proportionately. Do I add the Red Sea ABC+ and just keep testing my Alkalinity to ensure it doesn't go up any more or look at just dosing calcium on it's own.
Thanks in Advance

If alkalinity isn't changing and you are not adding any, calcium is not being significantly consumed. Base the dose of such additives on the need for alkalinity, and calcium will follow along OK unless water changes are changing it.

 

[Coidy92]

If alkalinity isn't changing and you are not adding any, calcium is not being significantly consumed. Base the dose of such additives on the need for alkalinity, and calcium will follow along OK unless water changes are changing it.

Okay thanks, I may try a different approach with this and just dose 2 part in the amounts need.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sounds good.

Happy Reefing.