Help with Ca and alk

[rbarb1111]

I have a 30 gallon tank with a fair amount of sps corals.
I am having trouble keeping my Ca and Alk at high enough levels.
I get my Ca up to 400 and my alk up to 9dkh using liquid CA and Coral builder. I dose kent two part daily about 15 ml per of each. My Ca within two days drops to 320 and my Alk drops to 6. Should i increase the daily 2 part The bottle says to use one 10ml per day per 40 gallons i am already over this.
Any suggestions???

Thanks
Richard

 

[Bandsaw]

Do you know what your Magnesium levels are?

I had problems keeping not only a balanced system of Alk and Ca, but high enough levels.

Tested for Mg and found it real low. Once adjusted, my Ca, Alk and the balance between them were easly to maintain with a Kalk drip.

You may also want to look here;

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

When Do Calcium and Alkalinity Demand Not Exactly Balance?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rhf/index.htm

Magnesium in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

 

[rbarb1111]

Don't know what mg level is , but ph is always 8.3

 

[mbbuna]

Ca/Alk and Mg all work hand in hand. you need to start testing for Mg also

 

[mace88]

I had the same problem and I tested Mg and it was low. Fixed it and all was well.

 

[rbarb1111]

Mg was at 1375. I think it is just demand?????

 

[Paintbug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6886111#post6886111 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rbarb1111
Mg was at 1375. I think it is just demand?????

sounds about right to me. if you have SPS corals, most will use up calcium quickly.

 

[Bandsaw]

I second Paintbug. 1375 Mg is perfect. It is probably just demad