Raise Alkalinity without Decreasing Calcium!

[bfazio1030]

Is there a way to do this? Help!

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

What do you mean? Dosing alkalinity supplements doesn't decrease calcium.

 

[Rybren]

Just use the Alk portion of a 2-part additive.

Edit: As chipmunk mentioned, adding alk won't decrease calcium - unless you add so much at once so as to cause a precipitation event.

 

[skyrne_isk]

What do you mean? Dosing alkalinity supplements doesn't decrease calcium.

Yes and no. The chemistry nerds will need to chime in, but I seem to recall adding one does have a resultant effect on the other. Maybe not initially, but with continued adding of one component I seem to recall can have an effect on the other.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Yes and no. The chemistry nerds will need to chime in, but I seem to recall adding one does have a resultant effect on the other. Maybe not initially, but with continued adding of one component I seem to recall can have an effect on the other.

Over time calcium will decrease if you keep adding only carbonate/bicarbonate. But the effect isn't immediate. You would need to dose and use 10 dKh of alkalinity to reduce calcium by around 60 ppm through consumption. In a reef aquarium that uses 1 dKh per day, that's almost two weeks. There's no reaction that occurs that instantly decreases only calcium when you dose an alkalinity supplement.

The only exception is if you somehow change pH or alkalinity in such a way that causes precipitation. In those cases, both alkalinity and calcium would reduce, not just calcium.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Chipmunk and others here have it correct. Just dose alkalinity if you need alkalinity.

 

[josephxsxn]

I agree with others on just dose the alk part of two part.

 

[bfazio1030]

Chipmunk and others here have it correct. Just dose alkalinity if you need alkalinity.

Does the same go for Calcium and Magnesium?

 

[terraincognita]

Does the same go for Calcium and Magnesium?

250mL Reef Foundation Package (Ca/Alk/Mag)

Dosing trace elements cannot get any easier than the Reef Foundation System. Red Sea uses a very easy to follow, systematic approach to maintaining what your corals need to grow. Package Contains: 250mL Reef Foundation A (Ca,Sr) 250mL Reef Foundation B (Alk) 250mL Reef Foundation C (Mg) Red...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Yes, you can dose them all separate

I have a 2 Part, but buy Red Sea Alk for Alk dosing If I want to increase it separate from my other params.

I've been running my Alk in the mid to high 9's recently intentionally, so I did exactly what you're asking about.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Does the same go for Calcium and Magnesium?

Yes.

 

[RIC13]

Since they can be dosed independently, in what situation(s) does it make sense to dose them in equal parts?

 

[HuduVudu]

Just remember that depending on how much you dose and over what length of time, you are changing the relations between Sodium and Chlorine and Sodium Chloride with everything else in your tank. At some point this change can become accute without a balancing mechanism. You will need water changes to correct these imbalances. If you have a solid water change schedule keep on it and don't get lazy about it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Assuming you have a two part that is designed for 1:1 dosing (not all are), that should be the default starting point. Dose both based on the alk need, and then if calcium is actually getting too high or low over time, adjust that dose.