Alkalinity fix.....

[demariners]

I understand now. SO with C-Balance I do not need to dose magnesium?

So I have read some things and I am still confused on a couple items. If I set up dosing pumps independently on timers how long and how often should I run them throughout the day? Should I dose at the same time each day on both parts? I guess this is where I am confused.

The directions say 5mL per 20 gallons per day. So I assume I put in 15mL per day of both solutions. Do I do this all at once at a specific time per day?

Any help on this would be appreciated.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Assuming magnesium is OK to start with, it should be adding enough to not allow it to drop, although I cannot guarantee they designed it properly to accomplish that.

The calcium part can be added all at once or spread out.

The alk part can be done either way as well, but it likely has a pH raising effect, and if you are adding large amounts, it is best to spread it out to several smaller additions as long as you have a pump available to do that.

 

[demariners]

Well, it doesn't seem to impact the PH all that much. I am reading that people are adding it daily in the morning while the pH is low? I have it currently set up to dose 11mL at 9 am and then 9:15 am for the other part. Does that sound like a plan? My alkalinity tested a few minutes ago is still a little low. I will test the water tomorrow and see how it looks. Any other advice on this set up?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That seems fine. Yes, adding high pH additives late at night or in the early AM is a good plan.

The calcium part will have no pH effect.

 

[demariners]

Well, now I am confused yet again. I looked at the reef calculator you have posted and it says for instance that 1.0 - 1.5 alk raise with C-Balance requires 22 ML in a 60 gallon tank. On the bottle it clearly states that 60ML (1ml per 60 ga) raises the alkalinity by .5??? I am going to find out how much my tank uses daily and use the calculator to dose accordingly but I am hesitant to use the calculator when the bottle says something different? I assume I should be adding equal amounts of the c-balance but it looks like the numbers are different according to the calculator? Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Dr. Reef]

22ml in 60 gal to raise it by 1dhk less than what bottle recommends so i wouldnt hasitate there. if 22ml dont bring it up by 1dkh in 60 gal then see how much did it raise and change dosage accordingly.

 

[demariners]

OK so I did a test today and last night and I am seeing an issue. I tested the following.

10 AM - Ca 440 ppm, Alk 9.8 dKH, Mg 1340 ppm, and pH was 8.10

at 10 PM - Ca 440 ppm, Alk 7.0 dKh, Mg 1340, and pH was 8.00

I am concerned that my Calcium did not go down in a 12 hour period but my Alkj went down almost 3 dKH???? Is this normal??? I have confirmed this with 2 different test kits. I did not do any additions to the take except auto-top off with fresh water. I have 2 large clams so I would assume they would consume the Calcium. Any ideas? I am trying to get a good idea how much the tank uses per day so I can set up my dosing pumps. I am going to do another test at 10 am tomorrow but this seems rather odd.

 

[demariners]

22ml in 60 gal to raise it by 1dhk less than what bottle recommends so i wouldnt hasitate there. if 22ml dont bring it up by 1dkh in 60 gal then see how much did it raise and change dosage accordingly.

It is .5 dkh not 1 dkh. According to the calculator. Not sure what to follow exactly.