Tank crashing, crazy parameters. Help!

[reeferfoxx]

Yes, you need to dose Alk only to get the Alk back up to a reasonable number. Dose slow, and preferably at night. Do not worry about Ph right now, it seems fine. With a small tank, dose by hand for now and only very small amounts each night and then retest each morning to see where you are at.
here is one of many online calculators to see how much alk you need to add to reach desirable levels.

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

Once you get your alkalinity back to a normal number, then figure out how much you need to add nightly to keep it there. Until you get your calcium back down, you should only be dosing alkalinity.
Ph will be fine, it seems to be finding it's sweet spot, which is good.

+1!

Kalk worked for me a long time in the ato. But right now it's not the answer. I'll try 2-part for a while and see how it goes. Thanks everyone!

There isn't any problem with kalk. In fact it's a great option, IMO. I would say the problem is the tank size? Not that 11 gallons is bad or impossible for a successful tank, instead the impact of weather, seasons and humidity. This time of year it gets cooler and the air becomes drier. Sometimes resulting in more water evaporation. At 11 gallons, its hard to keep evap in the "subtle" range. So when your mixing the same amount of kalk for every fresh top off bucket, if the humidity drops, your calculations become off.

 

[glb]

Today's readings:
Alk: 9.1kh (without any supplementation)
Ca: 500+ppm
Mg: 1365ppm

So the tank is starting to stabilize. The jump in alk surprised me, but my guess is the three are starting to work together again. I have RODI in the ato. Everything looks good for now.

 

[glb]

And for today:

Alk: 6.5kh
Ca: 500+ppm
Mg: 1365ppm

I haven't gotten my alk supplement yet. The tank inhabitants look good and the water is crystal clear. I'll do a 2g water change tomorrow and try to get that supplement.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Something just doesn't seem right with your alk and ca tests? I don't know...

 

[glb]

Something just doesn't seem right with your alk and ca tests? I don't know...

Yes it is strange. Hanna for alk and Salifert for ca. The tests are relatively new. I know the hanna reagent is ok because I replaced it. I've used these tests for years without a problem. But I agree. Yesterday's alk reading doesn't seem right. I know I put too much ca in the tank. Now it just has to come down. I realize how it got this way. But I agree with you that the readings are unusual. Plus the pH up to 8.1 with such low alk. Very weird.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

pH 8.1 is about what you'd get with that alk equilibrated with normal outside air.

 

[glb]

pH 8.1 is about what you'd get with that alk equilibrated with normal outside air.

Cool. I've always had low ph because of CO2 so this is a welcome change.

 

[glb]

Getting the alk supplement right now. Should I raise the alk slowly?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What is it now and what is your target?

 

[glb]

What is it now and what is your target?

It was 6.1 and I want it around 9-9.5. I bought Reef Fusion 2 for alk and added 2ml, which was less than the recommeded dose. The alk jumped to 9.1, which was not the plan. I'll keep an eye on it and add even less next time. How much of a jump is ok?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It was 6.1 and I want it around 9-9.5. I bought Reef Fusion 2 for alk and added 2ml, which was less than the recommeded dose. The alk jumped to 9.1, which was not the plan. I'll keep an eye on it and add even less next time. How much of a jump is ok?

I'm not sure of the specific benefit of targeting 9-9.5 dKH, but it is fine, IMO. To get there, i'd boost it not more than 0.5 dKH MORE than the demand each day. So the level 24 h later rises by 0.5 dKH or less.