adjusting alk and calc levels...

[lsvagabond]

Hey all, I have been running a 20 gal long reef set up i took over from someone for around 4 or 5 months now. It came with Lr, a fish, a bubble coral, etc.. I have added extensively to it since then and am trying to keep everything in balance but have some questions. I have added three small encrusting montiporas and i think a tiny acro all under PCs and a bunch of other none calc needing things (zoas, softies, mushrooms) I was told to start using a sailferts 2 part ionic - b solution for my calcium and alk needs. I started dosing at 5 ml of each every morning and have since incrfeased up to 15 ml based off of observing how well things are doing. Well, i finally got the cash for test kits (pricey!) and to my dismay the numbers are not pretty. My calcium is not to bad i think at 380 but if i did the test correctly my KH value in DKH was around 14.4 and my alk in meq/L was 5.14! This seems bad... everything in the tank seems to doing well (fish, crabs, stars, shrimp, corals) but you never know. I am about to do my weekly 5 gal water change add and test again. Also note that i have not added todays dose of both solutions. From the directions given with the 2 part solution it seems as though their amounts should be administered equally, is this the case? It seems to me though that I am adding to much of the alk sol. and not enough of the calcium... any ideas?

thanks

 

[nmprisons]

I use B-Ionic and really like it ... take your water to a LFS or double check those tests with a high quality kit (seachem or salifert). If those numbers are right, just dose the calcium component and wait for the other two to come down naturally.

someone with more knowledge of reef chemistry may give you other (possibly better/faster working) advice based on your particular numbers, but this plan should work (even if it takes a while)

 

[menard]

W/o Ca. reactor its hard to keep it constant 24/7.
Here is what U can do to keep it stable. Adjust Ca. and Alk. to the point they are balance.Example , 8 - 9 Dkh., Ca. 380- 450, which ever number U select, keep'em in that no. all the times, avoid fluctuation. Once U achive the levels U want, start using LIMEWATER. this will keep it constant. This gonna be an everyday ruetine maintenance for ya. Once U get used to it, its a piece of cake. LIMEWATER will not boost Ca. & Alk., maintains it. U have to crank Ca. and Alk. first , once its there, limewater will keep it constant.............PEACE

 

[poopsko24]

well said Menard

 

[lsvagabond]

sooo.... what you are saying is that once i get the levels right i just add limewater and it will it keep things in balance? without adding any more of the ionic b solution?! How does that work? I though the reason i had to keep adding calcium was because it was depleted by the corals... does lime water have it's own calcium that it adds?

 

[menard]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8169710#post8169710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lsvagabond
sooo.... what you are saying is that once i get the levels right i just add limewater and it will it keep things in balance? without adding any more of the ionic b solution?! How does that work? I though the reason i had to keep adding calcium was because it was depleted by the corals... does lime water have it's own calcium that it adds?

Correct, limewater has it in proper balance ratio. Limewater is Ca. hydroxide so its got all that and water change to replenish trace elements,thats it!!
Sounds easy , doesnt it ? So get your groove going and U will find it is easy........Peace!

PS: Do not pour Limewater into the tank, Drip'em at night only. Figure how much evaporation U loose a day and make your solution.....Start dripping

 

[pk1]

Here is a very good calculator for adjusting your Alk and Cal.
levels. Keep an eye on your mag. levels also.
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
It is ok to dose 1 part or the other to fix your levels, and usually your Alk will drop faster as it is used by more than just corals, and is much less abundant in seawater than calcium. In my tank, limewater keeps my calcium levels at 400-425 but I have to add alk once a week or so to keep it in balance. Menard is right on, as usual. If you want to read more on it I suggest spending some time reading RC's resident chemistry experts article's, found here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=102605
These two articles are a must read :

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm