Kalk and parameter stability

[pars]

So I took the majority advice and started with saturated Kalk solution a few weeks ago.

My parameters had been stable dosing ESV 2 part.

I have been ramping up kalk slowly and am now maxed out on what my bubble magus doser pump can deliver: 1999 ml/day.
Dripping 115 ml/day of ESV alk, and 70 ml/day of Ca... these requirements keep going up and I'm having a hard time keeping up. Particularly with Alk. Alk is only 8.0. Ca is 425.
Mag has been fine.
DT + sump + frag tank is probably about 300 gallon system.

I did add a 7 inch T. derasa about 2 weeks ago... so this is admittedly a new variable. Growth is very good. SPS are encrusting well. Acans popping up new heads. Various other previously unhappy corals have recovered and started growing again.

So.. finally to my question...
Is this new "instability" from the addition of kalk and will take some time to stabilize? Or is this more likely from tank demand going up quickly? Are my 2 part requirements pretty normal? Time to add a Calcium reactor?

I am only a year into this hobby and appreciate the great advice you all give. Thanks.

Matt

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

Looks like you are only dosing about 1/2g of limewater daily; I use 2.5- 3 g. I suspect you could be adding a wee bit more lime daily. The standard for limewater use is ALL top off is done; somewhere along the way the idea that a specific daily amount is needed and that is not true. You evaporation rate does not vary too greatly, and will average out.

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

I should add that I see nothing at all wrong with 8.0 alk and 425 ca.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

this sounds normal to me

this sounds normal to me

it sounds like you already know larger Tridacna can deplete calcium and alklalinity at an unbelievable rate.

The boost in pH and alkalinity that kalkwasser provides can speed up the calcification process.

Use of a calcium reactor is a personal choice. It's simply a means to an ends (ie One method of delivering calcium and alkalinity) that's particularly well suited to large demand / larger systems.

If your situation doesn't change (no removal of corals and your corals and clam keep growing) your system's demands for Ca, alk, Mg etc. should only increase as time goes on. It's a good situation HOWEVER it's easy to become a "victim of your own success" if you don't keep up with demands that are ALWAYS in flux.

 

[Henry Colf]

it sounds like you already know larger tridacna can deplete calcium and alklalinity at an unbelievable rate.

The boost in ph and alkalinity that kalkwasser provides can speed up the calcification process.

Use of a calcium reactor is a personal choice. It's simply a means to an ends (ie one method of delivering calcium and alkalinity) that's particularly well suited to large demand / larger systems.

If your situation doesn't change (no removal of corals and your corals and clam keep growing) your system's demands for ca, alk, mg etc. Should only increase as time goes on. It's a good situation however it's easy to become a "victim of your own success" if you don't keep up with demands that are always in flux.

+1