Tell me ... does this sound right?

[specialk]

The facts -->
* Have a 125, minimul load tank. Very few fish right now
* About 7 softies (2 good sized ones)
* A "medium" sized live rock load (nothing crazy at all)
* HAD about 8 SPS frags which were/are all doing great.
* Running LEDs
* I am doing consistent 2 week water changes at about 20% water change.

I have never had to dose and never had a problem with water parameters as I did consistent testing. ( I am basing these good readings on my good, consistent water changes) Cal/Alk/Mag were always good and it showed with my SPS growth. They were and still are growing explosvely!

The New Facts -->
*I was out of town for about 1.5 months, although 2 week water changes were still being done for me
* Picked up (they were picked up for me) about 12 new SPS frags that were added to my tank. (Have been in there now for about 1 month)
* Water change was still done every 2 weeks. (although no testing was done)
* when I returned home it was time for another water change in which I did as normal
* Tested the water just for kicks 2 days after AND .. Calcium 400 (dipped down to 380 2 days later) Mag 1440, and ALK 7.0/2.5

These numbers were much lower then what they would have normally been all the other times after I would do a 2 week water change. The obvious here is that the ALK and Mag were low, especially for "rapid growth" and SPS frags ideal parameters.

My question: I am assuming the new addition of all these SPS frags cause more stuff to be taken out of the water, thus lower readings?

New Dilema: I started to supplement (for only 2 days) with Red Sea ABC and my calcium JUMPED up to 500, while Mag dipped to 1320 and my ALK went up slightly to 7.6/2.7. This is where I am really confused and not sure if this is right or these numbers are indicating something else. I supplemented exactly as the instructions said so I am somewhat lost. Like I said new to this dosing so I am hoping to get some feedback from you brilliant genius's. :wink:

 

[Reefing Madness]

Only thing I get outta that stuff, is that it tells you how much it raises your Cal, nothing else about your Mag or Alk. Hopefully someone else chimes in here, because I'd not us that stuff myself, not without knowing th parameters of the Mag and Alk.
If your using that much in your tank, I'd opt for Randy's 2part, that one is proven.
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
Aquarium Chemistry: A Homemade Two-Part Calcium And Alkalinity Additive System ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[specialk]

Yah I am hoping someone else does indeed chime in here and let me know if they have used the red sea abc. Honestly the only reason I am using it is because I won it at a frag swap and had it laying around right here... and its not like it comes from some spotty company...so I figured what the heck how bad could it be. If I can't get anyone else to provide some insight I may be moving to that 2part right away!

 

[StikHedRon]

My 2 pennies here would be dump the all in one dosing supplements and move to 2 part like Randy's part 1 or brs salts and only dose for what your tank needs at the moment. Once everything gets established you'll use X amount of each supplement and you'll have better success dosing for each individually. Just my opinion

 

[mike007]

I have used It myself and I had a hard time getting my levels up. I contacted Redsea on this Issue and they told me that with the amount of corals I have I should be dosing abc in individual supplements. They said the abc was meant to maintain a average tank. But when dosing each separately
you can add or remove each as needed. Are you sure you didn't overdose and did you double check test results?

 

[specialk]

My 2 pennies here would be dump the all in one dosing supplements and move to 2 part like Randy's part 1 or brs salts and only dose for what your tank needs at the moment. Once everything gets established you'll use X amount of each supplement and you'll have better success dosing for each individually. Just my opinion

thanks buddy....I am not using the all in one red sea powder, I am using the liquid form that is for all 3 individually. Still though I am thinking, as I sort of was at the onset, that I should just switch out to the 2part of BRS powders. I had no idea though the calcium would jump that much

 

[Reefing Madness]

I wouldn't worry to much about the Cal as your corals will eat that up right quick. But, I'd not us that stuff again as it just sounds like a Cal suppliment.

Meant to ask you, where in Avon are you from, I came from a lil town near you called Sheffield Lake.

 

[specialk]

I have used It myself and I had a hard time getting my levels up. I contacted Redsea on this Issue and they told me that with the amount of corals I have I should be dosing abc in individual supplements. They said the abc was meant to maintain a average tank. But when dosing each separately
you can add or remove each as needed. Are you sure you didn't overdose and did you double check test results?

good to hear. And yes I am a bit paranoid about what I put in my tank as the risk of harming everything freaks me out. I have tested numerous times just to make sure

 

[specialk]

I wouldn't worry to much about the Cal as your corals will eat that up right quick. But, I'd not us that stuff again as it just sounds like a Cal suppliment.

Meant to ask you, where in Avon are you from, I came from a lil town near you called Sheffield Lake.

haha small world my friend! I live right off Chester road. I know exactly and all about Sheffield Lake...my ex girlfriend, who got me hooked and addicted to this hobby, is from there so I spent many a water change/tank playing night over there!! Great place in the summer right by the water and Lake Erie. BAaaaad place in the winter...as is all of northeast Ohio! And as for the calcium...that is what I figured that the corals will gobble that up right away

 

[Reefing Madness]