This girl needs help with her chemistry!

[ReefQueen]

Ok, since I am trying to do this tank right this time around I thought I better start getting used to dosing now before a start adding tons of corals. I have never ever dosed any of my previous tanks (I know, I know, don't yell at me! In my defense I had mostly softies and I suuuuuuuck at this chemistry crap lol) but I figure it's been 5 years, I gotta figure this out sometime right haha. Anyway I tested my Calc and alk last week and they were at 420 ppm and 9 dkh. So I picked up some fusion 2 and ordered fusion 1 because my store was out. I finally get the 1 today and test again before dosing. Now I am at 543 ppm and 8.4 dkh! 543?! From what I understand you must dose these in equal parts. But now my calcium is high so I have no clue how to proceed! How would it even get so high in the first place? And please, dumb it down for me lol. This whole reef chemistry thing always goes right over my head!

Thanks everyone

 

[Triggreef]

Don't have corals using anything up yet. Is what it sounds like. Keep maintaining with regular water changes until that does not keep up with demand anymore. Then you start dosing when that is no longer enough.

 

[Triggreef]

For now, if you use a little baking soda to raise alk, it will help bring down CA. Not to much, just a little.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Also, if you get your dKH up, the calcium carbonate should precipitate out, resulting in lower calcium levels.

 

[tautog83]

yea dont dose if you dont need too. if you think you're at the point where you need to, test the first day , dont dose anytihng then test for the next 2-3 days and figure out your daily usage. Then you can have a better idea ok i need 15ml of alk daily or whatever it may be .

 

[ReefQueen]

I do have some corals, just not very demanding ones yet. I've been holding out for LEAR. So most of what I have is left over from my old tank. Zoas and leathers that managed to survived my post partum tank husbandry haha. I have been doing water changes weekly with reef crystals, maybe that is why it is higher now? I used the regular instant ocean in the past. Ok so to raise the alk can I use the fusion 2 alone? And isn't calcium precipitation bad? I was always under that impression, but I never knew why. I'm sorry, I know I am all over the place with these questions, I'm exhausted lol.

 

[McMullen]

Bulkreefsupply has helpful videos on this topic. They're based off there products but applicable for calculating.

 

[Triggreef]

Once you pick a salt you should stick with it for the most part as each brand is quite different. Even the same brand different batches can be quite different but just to keep as close as possible.

Ca precipitation is not a good thing because most people are trying to meet the demand of it in the first place.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Let's take a step back. Calc isn't just going to rise that much on it's own, so something's not right.

What test kits/instruments are you using to test? Also, what salt are you using, and how frequently and how much are your water changes? I believe this testing issue needs to be resolved before you can proceed.

The other poiint, if you have very few corals, or small frags, your alk and calc demand will be fairly low.

However, you have the right idea of proceeding slowly.

 

[ReefQueen]

Believe it or not I have watched BRS videos, and youtube videos, and have read hundreds of articles over the years. Maybe it's because I never took a chemistry class before, but I just don't get it. I have been thinking of going back to school soon and I might just take a Chem class just to help me understand my tank hahaha. Oh and I used to use instant ocean with my old tank and used what was left in setting this one up. I have been using reef crystals with water changes to slowly get it all the same because it has more calcium and such already in it then the instant ocean. Ugh this stuff gets me so frustrated, I feel like a beginner asking such basic questions haha.

 

[ReefQueen]

Let's take a step back. Calc isn't just going to rise that much on it's own, so something's not right.

What test kits/instruments are you using to test? Also, what salt are you using, and how frequently and how much are your water changes? I believe this testing issue needs to be resolved before you can proceed.

The other poiint, if you have very few corals, or small frags, your alk and calc demand will be fairly low.

However, you have the right idea of proceeding slowly.

My calcium is a Hanna checker, my alk is seachem, everything else is API. I am slowly going to replace everything with Hanna. I have been using the reef crystals, and I do a water change about once a week, usually between 15-25%.

 

[Diesel]

Reading through your posts you really don't need any dosing done yet.
As why the CAL is high can be cause you made mistake in the first or maybe the last test.
I would test again and I would also test your new saltwater mix before you do a WC.
As @redfishbluefish mentioned what test kits you deploy?

BRS has some nice video's but we also can bring in @Randy Holmes-Farley for some one on one advice on this topic.

 

[Diesel]

My calcium is a Hanna checker, my alk is seachem, everything else is API. I am slowly going to replace everything with Hanna. I have been using the reef crystals, and I do a water change about once a week, usually between 15-25%.

Thanks.
The Hanna checker on the calcium can be tricky as you need perfectly clean RODI or 0.0 TDS water in order to do a perfect test.
Hanna on ALK is good as also the Po4.
I have used over the years many test kits but got stuck on Redsea for my CAL, really never had a default on that one.

 

[redfishbluefish]

For some reason you fear the "C" word. There is really no difference in the "C" word and making a cake. So if you can make a cake, you can figure this tank "C" stuff out.

I'm also not sure taking a chemistry course will help, short of maybe exposing you to lab procedures, which might be helpful.

I'll repeat, I think the first hurdle is the testing methods being used. Or lets put it this way, if those test numbers in the OP are correct, there is no need to dose right now.

 

[VTek]

Yes, I agree with above. It may have been a simple testing error. When I test my system, I test it twice, regardless of my results, just to be more certain.

Obviously you don't want to screw thing up but one of the best tests you can do is simply with your eyes. How has your system reacted as far as how happy everything looks. I would say until you see something looking unhappy, don't stress yourself too much. Keep a close eye on it. When you see something not doing well, test it. Research what may cause a specimen to act a certain way and some options to correct it.

I would also recommend BRS's 2 part dosing system and their tutorial videos, however, there is no NEED to dose of your system doesn't NEED it!

 

[redfishbluefish]

Let me preface this in that I will assume you know nothing about hand held spectrophotometers (Hanna's).

Hanna checkers have simplified testing of reef tanks. First off, it is important that you read and understand the instructions for your particular kit.....and follow them. When reviewing the use of Hanna kits with local users, here are two points that I've found to be an issue...of misuse. Never, ever put a wet cuvette (test vial) into the instrument. You do not want to introduce any fluids into the inside of the instrument......this could permanently damage the instrument. Secondly, the outside of the cuvette needs to be squeeky clean when going into the instument. No finger prints or any marks or smudges on the outside of the vial. Give it a wipe down before going in.

I just remain puzzled why your calc would increase so much with no additions to your tank. I'm still looking at something funky going on with testing.

 

[ReefQueen]

For some reason you fear the "C" word. There is really no difference in the "C" word and making a cake. So if you can make a cake, you can figure this tank "C" stuff out.

I'm also not sure taking a chemistry course will help, short of maybe exposing you to lab procedures, which might be helpful.

I'll repeat, I think the first hurdle is the testing methods being used. Or lets put it this way, if those test numbers in the OP are correct, there is no need to dose right now.

Haha oh please don't bring baking into this too, I'm also terrible at that! But you are probably right. I am known for making things seem way harder then they actually are, and then freaking out over them because I confused myself lol. And my dr is wondering why my blood pressure is so high haha. Ok so I will just leave everything alone for now and maybe test again in a week and see what's what. Although I think I will test Calc tomorrow again because now I am second guessing the Hanna. I am still getting used to it, so I may have done something wrong. Thank you everyone

 

[ReefQueen]

Let me preface this in that I will assume you know nothing about hand held spectrophotometers (Hanna's).

Hanna checkers have simplified testing of reef tanks. First off, it is important that you read and understand the instructions for your particular kit.....and follow them. When reviewing the use of Hanna kits with local users, here are two points that I've found to be an issue...of misuse. Never, ever put a wet cuvette (test vial) into the instrument. You do not want to introduce any fluids into the inside of the instrument......this could permanently damage the instrument. Secondly, the outside of the cuvette needs to be squeeky clean when going into the instument. No finger prints or any marks or smudges on the outside of the vial. Give it a wipe down before going in.

I just remain puzzled why your calc would increase so much with no additions to your tank. I'm still looking at something funky going on with testing.

You would be correct, I have used the Hanna twice so far lol. But I did make sure I wiped all the water and finger prints off before I put it back in. I am still going to retest tomorrow, I am already cozy in bed lol. But I now have a feeling I may have put the wrong amount of tank water in the vial. I also don't see how it could raise that much for no reason. Especially since I only did one smaller water change since I tested it last week. The only other thing that's changed is the auto top off I added, and there's no way that would be the culprit. Most likely the culprit is me and my half asleep testing practices haha.

 

[Anirban]

Welcome to R2R,

I read through all the posts above. Although I am very much new but I am very much with @redfishbluefish and @Diesel. First you are using RC salt so that should bring up your Calcium as it is quite high in calcium content. Double check your calcium checker and please don't dose anything until its already low or at least getting lower.

Cheers and happy reefing.

 

[Diesel]

You have access to a hobbyist in your area that can do a second opinion on you CAL with her/his test or your LFS maybe.

I thought that we just got over the term "cooking" now we already talking "baking"

Any pics of your tank maybe?