NickBee
New member
OK I have a few people on here who are helping me out with this issue (thanks again Jer & Bert), but I figured I would post also for the benefit of others…
We have a 3 month old 75 Gal FOWLR (100 Gal system) that is showing slow signs of Coralline growth. In my collection of test kits we added Alk and Cal and are getting readings of 7.5 Alk and 320 Cal. Our SG was recently raised from 1.023 to 1.025 and it was recommended that we start supplementing with a 2 part system (just got my order of ESV B-Ionic in). So far I am grasping the fact that our calcium level should be around 450 for better Coralline Algae growth and to be balanced with our Alk. But here are my questions:
1) If our Alk is at an ok level do we still need to supplement both parts? Or can the cal be brought up 1st to balance with the Alk? I’ve seen the on-line calculators for supplementation but they give different doses for Alk and Cal. The instructions on the bottle recommend equal dosing.
2) What should be the Alk / Cal level we should aim for?
3) Knowing our situation what would you recommend as a safe dosing scheme. We are not in a rush, just would like to see more of the purple stuff eventually.
Other Parameters:
PH- 8.2
Am â€"œ 0
Nitrate â€"œ 0
Nitrite - .1
Temp â€"œ 77
Oh, I’ve read the articles about dosing online and it makes me wish I paid more attention in chemistry class. That being said I’m still scratching my head a bit about this one. Some plain-English recommendations would be great.
THANKS!
We have a 3 month old 75 Gal FOWLR (100 Gal system) that is showing slow signs of Coralline growth. In my collection of test kits we added Alk and Cal and are getting readings of 7.5 Alk and 320 Cal. Our SG was recently raised from 1.023 to 1.025 and it was recommended that we start supplementing with a 2 part system (just got my order of ESV B-Ionic in). So far I am grasping the fact that our calcium level should be around 450 for better Coralline Algae growth and to be balanced with our Alk. But here are my questions:
1) If our Alk is at an ok level do we still need to supplement both parts? Or can the cal be brought up 1st to balance with the Alk? I’ve seen the on-line calculators for supplementation but they give different doses for Alk and Cal. The instructions on the bottle recommend equal dosing.
2) What should be the Alk / Cal level we should aim for?
3) Knowing our situation what would you recommend as a safe dosing scheme. We are not in a rush, just would like to see more of the purple stuff eventually.
Other Parameters:
PH- 8.2
Am â€"œ 0
Nitrate â€"œ 0
Nitrite - .1
Temp â€"œ 77
Oh, I’ve read the articles about dosing online and it makes me wish I paid more attention in chemistry class. That being said I’m still scratching my head a bit about this one. Some plain-English recommendations would be great.
THANKS!