best way to get parameters back to normal and keep them that way

[turbo2oh]

So after some period of time not keeping up with maintenance I'm now about to get things back in order. My tank is mostly LPS and softies with a few montis, though I'd like to add more SPS in the future.

My alkalinity is currently at 5.7dkh and calcium is at 330ppm. Some options I'm tossing around are kalkwasser, 2 part, and the trition method. I've read kalwasser isn't the best option to get things back to normal since it can raise PH.

Any suggestions on how best to get parameters back to normal? I suppose several large water changes would work as well. Ideally, I'd like to minimize them going forward which is why triton is so appealing. I've already re-arranged my sump and setup a large fuge to align with that method. But they also suggest you get your parameters in line before starting triton.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[mcgyvr]

baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to get alk back up (no more than 1dKH raise a day) and calcium chloride for cal..
Make your own 2 part.. dose as needed...

Make sure you check your mag too..

All you need here..
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/calcium-alkalinity-trace-elements/brs.html

good reading too..
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[Sk8r]

I prefer kalk, for its simplicity. Just start now to bring your magnesium to 1350, by dosing Tech M, then fairly urgently get that alk up to 8.3 with DKH buffer. Use only the amount instructed on the bottle, and test again 8 hours or more after the last dose. FYI, mag stabilizes the alk, and will hold it from falling, while you then dose to bring your calcium up to 420. After that, add kalk to your topoff water, and test your mag weekly to be sure it's staying at 1350. If it is 1300, dose a little mg to keep it up. Your alk and cal will stay steady in those good readings so long as you are topping off with the kalked water (2 tsp per gallon of ro/di, stir once and let it settle, but cover it with cardboard or some sort of lid---it crusts, otherwise. Don't let it do that any more than you can help. Again, FYI, the kalk is calcium powder, which can dissolve when the alk is at 8.3, and it helps your stony coral grow. If you don't have any coral eating the calcium, you probably will be fine so long as you just keep the mg at 1350. Readings should stay steady. For calcium, I dose Kent Turbo Calcium, and for alk, I dose Kent DKH Alk buffer. If your mag falls below 1200, your alk will start to go down and so will the calcium. Always fix it first.

 

[thegrun]

Dose two part to get the parameters where you want them, then use kalk. You would need to make several MASSIVE water changes to get the parameters right.

 

[turbo2oh]

Thanks for the advice! I've heard people often add kalk to their top-off water but my evaporation rate changes pretty drastically between the seasons. I'm concerned I'd be stuck chasing parameters as the evaporation rate changes. Would a doser pump be a better option in this case?

I tested Mg and it was @1040. My plan is to buy BRS pre-proportioned 2 part (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-2-part-calcium-alkalinity-starter-package-pre-portioned.html) They suggest using 1gal of calc/alk before dosing all of the Mg (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/instructions/article/Instructions-for-Prepackaged-Kits). I was considering starting by dosing all of the Mg and then adding the calc/alk to get my Mg up to 1400 first. Thoughts?

Once i get parameters back to normal I'll explore switching over to kalk.

 

[homer1475]

BRS suggestions are only after your parameters are in line and you have used a gallon of alk and cal.

Bring your MAG up first, then your ALK, then your CAL.