Dosing issues...Need some feedback

[Joshnlaura]

I started roughly 6 weeks ago dosing my system with BRS's 2 part solution (recipe 2) I have automated my process a little with some southern engineering in the way of a dosing system using 2 liter bottles and an air pump. I have flow controls to maintain the drip. Currently even after putting what I think is an EXTREME amount of calcium in the system my calcium checks are still hovering around 380. "What" you ask "is an EXTREME amount of calcium"....basically 2 liters in 6 weeks or about 40ml a day at the highest?????? My alkalinity is holding strong around 9 DKH and I have no test kit as of yet to check the Mag. I have been dosing about 30 ml of the mag every other day manually as I do not have that set up as an automated drip. WHERE IS ALL MY CALCIUM GOING???

75 Gallon mixed reef
20 Gallon sump
Red Sea Skimmer
T5 HO 25X4 lights

(pics can be found at shippaquarium.blogspot.com)

 

[Toddrtrex]

What do you have in that tank -- coral wise. The calcium most likely is being used up by the corals for growth.

40ml a day isn't all that high, back when my 58 had more (( read larger )) SPS colonies I was using 90ml per day.

 

[RRaider]

I started roughly 6 weeks ago dosing my system with BRS's 2 part solution (recipe 2) I have automated my process a little with some southern engineering in the way of a dosing system using 2 liter bottles and an air pump. I have flow controls to maintain the drip. Currently even after putting what I think is an EXTREME amount of calcium in the system my calcium checks are still hovering around 380. "What" you ask "is an EXTREME amount of calcium"....basically 2 liters in 6 weeks or about 40ml a day at the highest?????? My alkalinity is holding strong around 9 DKH and I have no test kit as of yet to check the Mag. I have been dosing about 30 ml of the mag every other day manually as I do not have that set up as an automated drip. WHERE IS ALL MY CALCIUM GOING???

75 Gallon mixed reef
20 Gallon sump
Red Sea Skimmer
T5 HO 25X4 lights

(pics can be found at shippaquarium.blogspot.com)

First off you need to test for mag, if it's really low it will effect the other two. Secondly, I dose more than 40ml a day in my 29.

 

[Dustin1300]

I'd agree with Todd....Not a very high rate really.

I have a 75 Gallon mixed and dose 140 mL/day of Calcium and Alkalinity. Also dose 13mL/day of Magnesium.

I'd suggest step one be getting a Magnesium kit. Anything under 1280 and you could be having a problem where the calcium/alk are precipitating. Below is a good link to BRS explaining this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI52IyBtjp0&feature=player_embedded

 

[Joshnlaura]

As far as corals go I dont have a great deal right at the moment. I do have a good size toadstool leather, I have one small colony of zoo's, 1 hammer coral, several small mushrooms, some xenia's, a galaxia, some kenya trees, a brain, and three nems.

Should I start dosing my mag in the same manner that I am the calcium and alk? I will definetly get a test kit. BRS intructions was basically to dose the mag 20oz at a time after one bottle of calcium / alk had ran through. Since I had the suspicion that mine was probably low I started to doing a little ever other day.

Am I basically waisting my cal solution if my mag is not in check? If so I may turn the doser off until I can get my mag in good range. Is there a "safe" estimate of mag that I could put in without knowing what it is right at the moment that may bring things more in line? Or would it be best to wait and find out real numbers?

 

[Joshnlaura]

Wow....I just watched the video you guys posted. You could have knocked me over with a feather. My wife has told me over the last few days that it looks like we literally have "sand" floating in the water column and come to find out it probably has to do with the low mag content. My cal and carb (alk) is precipitating out too fast (just like you guys posted) and turning into an unusable form for the chorals. What mag test kits to you guys use?

 

[RVANANO]

Normally I would suggest Elos. But the Elos Mag kits are hard to tell when the color changes so regardless, I would stay away from that one

 

[Dustin1300]

I'd recommend picking up the following test. Accurate and affordable:

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/SAT103.html

Since you confirmed what I stated earlier I'd stop dosing the calcium/alk and get the Mag up. Once you test and have an accurate result use the following Calculator:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/reef-calculator

Some will say you can increase Mag 100 ppm/daily but I would recommend 50 ppm/daily. Try to spread the dose out over the day as I'd guess you have low levels right now and require a lot of Mag in the beginning. Once you get mag ~1300 start dosing alk/calcium again. Below are the parameters I like keeping rock solid

 

[Joshnlaura]

Well you actually found it 1.00 cheaper than I just ordered from BRS. I will turn my doser off when I get home and start getting the Mag in check. Thanks guys you have been a big help!

 

[Dustin1300]

I use BRS for any supplementation but any equipment I go straight through PA. You should be able to receive shipments from them next day considering you are in KY. Good luck and let us know if you have any questions or concerns.