A Question about Randy's Home Made 2part Calcium Additive...
- Thread starter Sindjin
- Start date
You can add one part to the topoff water, but you can't mix the two together. There are special dosers that will do the job. I think MarineDepot.com sells one, and I'm sure other vendors do as well.
When I use B-Ionic (still haven't run out), I just add it to a high-flow area in the tank.
When I use B-Ionic (still haven't run out), I just add it to a high-flow area in the tank.
Some folks use them in two channel dosers, but I think that most folks just dump each in once a day (or less often, if less is needed).
Anyone want to chime in with their favorite addition method for two part systems?
Anyone want to chime in with their favorite addition method for two part systems?
Sindjin
New member
Is their a rule of thumb on dosage amounts? Or am I right in assuming that I'll add however much my tank requires and I 'll just have to test freqently?
Right now Im having a problem where I can't raise my Mg or Ca.
Ca = 350
Mg = 1220
Alk - 4.11 Meq/l
pH = 8.2
I just did a water change on Thursday, so I kind of dont want to do another one today but I will if I have to. I have been adding Ca and Mg since last night but nothing is happening.
Right now Im having a problem where I can't raise my Mg or Ca.
Ca = 350
Mg = 1220
Alk - 4.11 Meq/l
pH = 8.2
I just did a water change on Thursday, so I kind of dont want to do another one today but I will if I have to. I have been adding Ca and Mg since last night but nothing is happening.
Here's the section on dosing from my upcoming article:
Dosing Instructions
The dosing instructions are basically the same for each recipe, although in any given aquarium one will end up using about twice as much of recipe # 2 as recipe #1 to add the same amount of calcium and alkalinity.
To initiate dosing, first get calcium and alkalinity in roughly the correct ranges. That may require a substantial dose of just the calcium part if calcium is low (below 380 ppm). I would suggest targeting calcium between 380 and 450 ppm, and alkalinity between 2.5 and 4 meq/L (7-11 dKH; 125-200 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents).
This calculator shows how much of what parts to add to boost one or both of the parameters by a certain amount:
Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
Then, once things seem roughly set, select a starting dose for routine dosing. Here are some suggested starting doses, but the exact values do not matter too much. For either recipe, use equal doses of Parts 1 and 2.
Table 1. Suggested doses to start with in using this supplement in different aquaria.
Tank Description........Suggested Starting Doses
........................................................Recipe #1........Recipe #2
Fish Only With Live Rock................0.1 mL/gallon........0.2 mL/gallon
New tank, few corals ....................0.2 mL/gallon.........0.4 mL/gallon
Low Demand................................0.3 mL/gallon...........0.6 mL/gallon
Mixed Tank....................................0.5 mL/gallon........1 mL/gallon
Heavy Demand (SPS corals)........1 mL/gallon..............2 mL/gallon
After a few days of dosing, note whether alkalinity is declining below where you want it, increasing above where you want it, or stable where you want it to be. Only bother to test alkalinity during this period. It is much more sensitive to over or under dosing than is calcium. Adjust the dose up or down as necessary to increase or decrease the alkalinity.
Once you get a dose set, keep at that dose until there is a substantial reason to adjust it (like it not meeting demand for alkalinity as corals get bigger). When you adjust dose, raise or lower both parts together.
Resist the temptation to keep jiggering calcium and alkalinity independently. They will need occasional corrections, but that should not be the normal course of dosing unless there are substantial outside influences, such as water changes with a salt mix that does not match the tank or an error in making the mixes somehow.
Check alkalinity fairly frequently to make sure the dosing continues at a suitable rate. Maybe check it once a week to once a month (or less as you get more experienced with the system and the tank). Check calcium to make sure it continues on track once a month to once every few months.
Remember to add an appropriate amount of Part 3 each time you finish adding a gallon of Parts 1 and 2.
Dosing Instructions
The dosing instructions are basically the same for each recipe, although in any given aquarium one will end up using about twice as much of recipe # 2 as recipe #1 to add the same amount of calcium and alkalinity.
To initiate dosing, first get calcium and alkalinity in roughly the correct ranges. That may require a substantial dose of just the calcium part if calcium is low (below 380 ppm). I would suggest targeting calcium between 380 and 450 ppm, and alkalinity between 2.5 and 4 meq/L (7-11 dKH; 125-200 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents).
This calculator shows how much of what parts to add to boost one or both of the parameters by a certain amount:
Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
Then, once things seem roughly set, select a starting dose for routine dosing. Here are some suggested starting doses, but the exact values do not matter too much. For either recipe, use equal doses of Parts 1 and 2.
Table 1. Suggested doses to start with in using this supplement in different aquaria.
Tank Description........Suggested Starting Doses
........................................................Recipe #1........Recipe #2
Fish Only With Live Rock................0.1 mL/gallon........0.2 mL/gallon
New tank, few corals ....................0.2 mL/gallon.........0.4 mL/gallon
Low Demand................................0.3 mL/gallon...........0.6 mL/gallon
Mixed Tank....................................0.5 mL/gallon........1 mL/gallon
Heavy Demand (SPS corals)........1 mL/gallon..............2 mL/gallon
After a few days of dosing, note whether alkalinity is declining below where you want it, increasing above where you want it, or stable where you want it to be. Only bother to test alkalinity during this period. It is much more sensitive to over or under dosing than is calcium. Adjust the dose up or down as necessary to increase or decrease the alkalinity.
Once you get a dose set, keep at that dose until there is a substantial reason to adjust it (like it not meeting demand for alkalinity as corals get bigger). When you adjust dose, raise or lower both parts together.
Resist the temptation to keep jiggering calcium and alkalinity independently. They will need occasional corrections, but that should not be the normal course of dosing unless there are substantial outside influences, such as water changes with a salt mix that does not match the tank or an error in making the mixes somehow.
Check alkalinity fairly frequently to make sure the dosing continues at a suitable rate. Maybe check it once a week to once a month (or less as you get more experienced with the system and the tank). Check calcium to make sure it continues on track once a month to once every few months.
Remember to add an appropriate amount of Part 3 each time you finish adding a gallon of Parts 1 and 2.
Alkalinity will drop on its own, yes, but how fast depends on how fast the tank uses it. At 4.1 meq/L, however, it is fine where it is, IMO. 
You're welcome.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Yes, those are suggested starting daily doses.
Sindjin
New member
Hello Randy,
I finally have my levels stable and I began dosing ALK and Ca (50ml each) daily to maintain my levels.
One question I have is can I still use KENT Tech-M for my Mg additive along with your 2 part Ca/ALK? Are there any adverse effects of NOT using your DIY Mg solution?
I finally have my levels stable and I began dosing ALK and Ca (50ml each) daily to maintain my levels.
One question I have is can I still use KENT Tech-M for my Mg additive along with your 2 part Ca/ALK? Are there any adverse effects of NOT using your DIY Mg solution?
You can use it, but the effect of all the chloride in the calcium chloride will be to slowly raise chloride relative to sulfate. So you might use Epsom salts once in a while.
These articles show the effect (with the Kent product not impacting the chloride/sulfate ratio):
Simulating the Effect of Calcium Chloride and Sodium Bicarbonate Additions on Reef Systems
http://web.archive.org/web/20030624...twork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/dec/bio/default.asp
Additional Simulations: The Combined Effect Of Calcium Chloride
/Sodium Bicarbonate Additions And Water Exchanges
http://web.archive.org/web/20010210...twork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/feb/bio/default.asp
These articles show the effect (with the Kent product not impacting the chloride/sulfate ratio):
Simulating the Effect of Calcium Chloride and Sodium Bicarbonate Additions on Reef Systems
http://web.archive.org/web/20030624...twork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/dec/bio/default.asp
Additional Simulations: The Combined Effect Of Calcium Chloride
/Sodium Bicarbonate Additions And Water Exchanges
http://web.archive.org/web/20010210...twork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/feb/bio/default.asp
Here's the improved recipe:
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part
Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
the contents:
Introduction
Comparing the Two Primary Recipes
Recipe #1
Recipe #1, Part 1: The Calcium Part
Recipe #1, Part 2: The Alkalinity Part
Recipe #1, Part 3: The Magnesium Portion
Recipe #1, Part 3A
Recipe #1, Part 3B
Recipe #2
Recipe #2, Part 1: The Calcium Part
Recipe #2, Part 2: The Alkalinity Part
Recipe #2, Part 3: The Magnesium Portion
Recipe #2, Part 3A
Recipe #2, Part 3B
Dosing Instructions
Substitutes for Dowflake Calcium Chloride
Substitutes for Dead Sea Works Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate
Where to Buy the Materials
Calculation Rationale for the Recipes
The Design of the Calcium and Alkalinity Parts
Residual Ions from the Calcium and Alkalinity Parts
Residue Remaining from Recipe #1 when using Recipe #1, Part 3A
Residue Remaining from Recipe #1 when using Recipe #1, Part 3B
Summary
Reference Links
An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part
Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
the contents:
Introduction
Comparing the Two Primary Recipes
Recipe #1
Recipe #1, Part 1: The Calcium Part
Recipe #1, Part 2: The Alkalinity Part
Recipe #1, Part 3: The Magnesium Portion
Recipe #1, Part 3A
Recipe #1, Part 3B
Recipe #2
Recipe #2, Part 1: The Calcium Part
Recipe #2, Part 2: The Alkalinity Part
Recipe #2, Part 3: The Magnesium Portion
Recipe #2, Part 3A
Recipe #2, Part 3B
Dosing Instructions
Substitutes for Dowflake Calcium Chloride
Substitutes for Dead Sea Works Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate
Where to Buy the Materials
Calculation Rationale for the Recipes
The Design of the Calcium and Alkalinity Parts
Residual Ions from the Calcium and Alkalinity Parts
Residue Remaining from Recipe #1 when using Recipe #1, Part 3A
Residue Remaining from Recipe #1 when using Recipe #1, Part 3B
Summary
Reference Links
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