Calcium Raising Question

[Hef]

Randy, I'm using your two part Recipe #1, Dowflake for the CA part.
I've done an excellent job of stabilizing my Alkalinity with part one of the Recipe (Baking Soda) dosing precisely 78ml per day with a dosing pump mixed into a half gallon of RO/DI.
At this rate my Alk is sitting very stable at 8.0 DKH assuming my Salifert kit is correct.

I'm not as precise with my Calcium additions however, but I'm ready now to try and balance that with my 8.0 Alk Reading.
According the Reef Calculator 8.0 DKH balances out to 417 ppm Calcium. Currently and for quite a long time my Ca is at around 350 PPM. According to the Calculator I will need 994 ml of the Calcium part of the recipe to reach that number. I've dosed 200 ml so far today.

My question for you finally, if I dose enough to bring me up to 417 over the next 2 day, what will happen if anything to my Alk Level? Will I be able to keep it stable using the same 78ml, or will I need to increase the number a little. Not a big deal as I test alk a lot, but I would like to know what you would expect.

Finally, I seen you use the terms that this formula is a "balanced" formula. That would mean to me that you could end up using the same amount of each per day to stay Balanced. It seems my normal use of Calcium per day is over 100ml. Should I just accept that as the way it is?

Anyway, I'm having great success with your Recipe, using all 3 parts currently and have a loaded SPS 120 Gal. Tank. I'm hoping to balance this Calcium thing.

Thanks for any feedback.

Hef

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I wouldn't focus on getting the calcium to "balance" the alkalinity. If the alkalinity is 8 dKH, there is no inherent reason to think that 380 or 420 or 450 ppm is best. Anywhere in that range is OK, IMO.

My question for you finally, if I dose enough to bring me up to 417 over the next 2 day, what will happen if anything to my Alk Level?

Nothing special, unless the calcium were previously so low that it was limiting to coral calcification. The alkalinity demand might increase a little bit, but I wouldn't assume it will change a lot.

Finally, I seen you use the terms that this formula is a "balanced" formula. That would mean to me that you could end up using the same amount of each per day to stay Balanced. It seems my normal use of Calcium per day is over 100ml. Should I just accept that as the way it is?

If it is made perfectly (which is hard since there may be variable moisture levels in it) and if you do not otherwise mess with things (as with water changes), the balance means that if you maintain alkalinity, the calcium should also be steady.

So I'd boost it rapidly, and then use equal doses for a while and see what happens over the next few days.

 

[Hef]

Thanks. Being Balanced isnt that important, but I'm pretty sure you would agree that Ca @ 350ppm is a bit low. I will hopefully have it raised by tomorrow.

Thanks
Hef

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, I would boost the calcium to 420 ppm.

 

[Hef]

That Calculator works pretty well with your formula.

Just tested my Ca after 900ml worth of additions since early Saturday. Calcium was at 405 - 410ppm. Added 100ml more. I will continue at 100ml per day and check it again in a few days. I'll check the Alk also.

Thanks again.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

Happy Reefing.