Triton and Very High Alk

[ryanuy]

I have been using the Triton method for over 8 months and my calcium and magnesium have been going waaaay up. I have tested both with AF and saliftert test kits and calcium is definitely over 600++ and mag is over 1500++. Alk however is at 7. I used to try to hit an alk of 8dkh but I was told that would make the cal and mag problem worse since I am dosing all 4 solutions in equal amounts.

Anyways to try to get everything into more acceptable levels, I have been trying to lower the dosage of all 4 solutions and just add more alk separately via another dosing head. I am using Aquaforests KH buffer for this. The problem I have is that some of the SPS and LPS started bleaching. Acans thinned out and some sps I have had for 2 years bleached over the course of a few days.

I was wondering if you guys think its because of my trying to balance the cal - alk - mag? If the cal and mag are super high like mine is now, how would that affect the tank and the inhabitants?

 

[Tombones]

If this was my aquarium, and your test measurements are right, I would stop dosing mag and calcium then only dose 3a and 3b until your levels are where you want them. I might even do a 10 or 20% water change first. My 2 cents, Good luck

 

[foxt]

I have seen this as well - and it has been discussed a bit in the water chemistry forum. My Alk consumption is at times out of sync with my Ca and Mg. I will work to maintain Alk at 8, and watch Ca and Mg rise (Ca rises faster than Mg in my case). As Tombones suggested, people suggested that I only dose alk to allow Ca and Mg to fall, and then when I hit the target levels I want for Ca and Mg, resume doing those but at slower rates than alk. That's been working for a while now ...

 

[ryanuy]

If this was my aquarium, and your test measurements are right, I would stop dosing mag and calcium then only dose 3a and 3b until your levels are where you want them. I might even do a 10 or 20% water change first. My 2 cents, Good luck

Could i dose the alk part of the BRS 2 part solution instead of 3a and 3b?

 

[ryanuy]

I have seen this as well - and it has been discussed a bit in the water chemistry forum. My Alk consumption is at times out of sync with my Ca and Mg. I will work to maintain Alk at 8, and watch Ca and Mg rise (Ca rises faster than Mg in my case). As Tombones suggested, people suggested that I only dose alk to allow Ca and Mg to fall, and then when I hit the target levels I want for Ca and Mg, resume doing those but at slower rates than alk. That's been working for a while now ...

I was thinking of doing the same thing but i tried lowering the dose of the 4 triton solutions and adding extra alk from thr alk half of brs 2 part. My corals seem to really hate it though and some seem to be having problems that didnt come out when i was dosing equally

 

[Tombones]

I don't think Triton tells us what trace elements are in each part so there might be trace elements in parts 3a and 3b. Are you concerned with keeping equal amounts each part so you don't run out of one before the others? I have done the same thing and tried to keep all parts even but had to give up because it doesn't work. I just buy the Triton ahead to have enough.

 

[ryanuy]

I don't think Triton tells us what trace elements are in each part so there might be trace elements in parts 3a and 3b. Are you concerned with keeping equal amounts each part so you don't run out of one before the others? I have done the same thing and tried to keep all parts even but had to give up because it doesn't work. I just buy the Triton ahead to have enough.

That was exactly what i was thinking! I was trying to get them to finish at the same time!

When i added the brs alk though, it reacted badly to my corals. I have no idea why. My alk didnt swing high. Maybe .2 difference only.