alk and calc questions

[ooja3k]

so i have been working on raising my alk and calc levels in my tank...

its a 30 gallon mixed reef. 5 small assorted monti frags, frogspawn, trumpet, and other small assorted softies.


since buying new test kits, i have realized that my alk and calc levels are way below what they should be. roughly 400 for calc, (i know its not that low but i want it higher), and ~6.7 for my alk... now i know that is low... i would like my calc around 440 and my alk at 10dkh.. are these good numbers?


i have been dosing roughly 10ml of each part of b-ionic daily, but my numbers haven't risen. i think this amount essentially keeps my numbers where they are...

i have the reef chemistry calculator bookmarked, and to raise my alk from 6.7 dkh to 10 dkh, it will take 57ml of b-ionic part one... but it says not to add this all at once as it will raise my ph... over how long can i add it?? i also heard that large alk and calc fluctuations can stress corals... is this true? how much would i be able to add in a single "session"... also, is it safe to add it directly to the display tank??

sorry for all the questions.. thanks in advance for any help!

 

[AquamanE]

If you go tot the chemistry forum here on RC, Mr. Holmes-Farley has a ton of good info on this.

 

[BLKTANG]

I wouldnt add any supp directly into my display unless you dont have a choice.

You should be safe doing half the dose,i would do like 25ml in the middle of the day,& the other half @ around the same time the following day.Be sure to monitor your params at least 2x a day when trying to boost your params like that.

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

nice to see you over here I know nothing about your ? but wanted to say hi thanks for all the help getting started.

 

[ooja3k]

you are welcome grizzlies.


blktang, you would add it in the middle of the day?? i heard that it is important to dose the alk portion before the lights go on to avoid ph fluctuations...

 

[rbursek]

What is your Mg level? If it is low it is hard to get and keep Ca on the high end.

 

[ooja3k]

as of yesterday it was 1275

 

[ooja3k]

basically i know how much of each part i need to dose to get my numbers where i want them...


typically, what is a safe amount of time to add the necessary amount over?? a day? a couple hours? a week??

is it safe to raise my alk 2.3dkh and calc 40ppm in a day? a week?

 

[rbursek]

Never do anything fast! I would do it over a few days and test for Ca and Alk each day before the next addition.

 

[rbursek]

Foregot to mention PH too.

 

[ooja3k]

thanks for the help!

 

[Aquarist007]

Re: alk and calc questions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11930181#post11930181 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ooja3k
so i have been working on raising my alk and calc levels in my tank...

its a 30 gallon mixed reef. 5 small assorted monti frags, frogspawn, trumpet, and other small assorted softies.


since buying new test kits, i have realized that my alk and calc levels are way below what they should be. roughly 400 for calc, (i know its not that low but i want it higher), and ~6.7 for my alk... now i know that is low... i would like my calc around 440 and my alk at 10dkh.. are these good numbers?


i have been dosing roughly 10ml of each part of b-ionic daily, but my numbers haven't risen. i think this amount essentially keeps my numbers where they are...

i have the reef chemistry calculator bookmarked, and to raise my alk from 6.7 dkh to 10 dkh, it will take 57ml of b-ionic part one... but it says not to add this all at once as it will raise my ph... over how long can i add it?? i also heard that large alk and calc fluctuations can stress corals... is this true? how much would i be able to add in a single "session"... also, is it safe to add it directly to the display tank??

sorry for all the questions.. thanks in advance for any help!

you are on the right track by using the bionic and checking.
I usually suggest that you run the dose they suggest for one week and remeasure
You are at the point---now i would double the calcium and alk amount for one more week

At the end of the second week measure and make adjustments again. In one month your numbers will be where you want them and stable

 

[Aquarist007]

Re: Re: alk and calc questions

Re: Re: alk and calc questions

sorry I blame the server but it was probably me--bad post

 

[Aquarist007]

calcium at 450 and alk at 10.5 is great but you are going to need to raise your mag level to 1300ppm. I find there is not enough mag in the bionics to do that and maintain it.
I would suggest you purchase some Kent-tech-m and dose according to the chemical calculator.