Low Calcium and High ALK help

[wetdiver]

I need some advise...

current tank:

you guys know my set up if you don't:

Set up 5 month old
DT 260 gallons
Sump 75 gallons
NO sand only in the sump
Calcium 360
ALK 12.5
PH 8.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Phosphate .25
Salinity 1.021
water change 15% every 2 weeks

Lights LED
Lights in sump T5

Dosing A - B supplement (about 20 ML per day) drip method


So for the question: I know that it takes time for the tank to cycle and to start adding SPS BUT i just can get the two levels to come together.

What can i do to bring the levels off calcium to 460 and ALK to 9? I'm been working on this for 3 month and i just can get them to like each other.:debi:

 

[msderganc]

Dose less alkalinity and more calcium? Unless I'm missing something...

Also, your salinity is kind of low for corals, which may be part of the reason your calcium is low. The salt mixes generally list parameters for about 1.025 or so.

 

[rovster]

First thing I would do is check your test kits. Or, have someone else check your water for you before you start going crazy with this. As I'm sure you know, your alk and cal should be in balance, and if anything cal should be higher because alk is consumed much more quickly. Only time you would have to add extra cal as compared to alk is if you have a high clam load, which I assume you don't.

Also, make sure your mag is in check.

My guess is you have a bad test kit. It happens. It happened to me, so know I'm more aware so if a number doesn't seem right, always double check with another kit.

Hope you figure it out. I would also post this in the chem forum.....

 

[gatoralum69]

Try dosing more alk and if you need to increase PH instead of using reef buffer use the PH+ from Brightwells or Aqua Vitro Balance as those will not touch Alk.

 

[Mr tap water]

Hi there
You may need to check your magnesium levels as well having the right magnesium levels will help Towards stabilising the other two your dKH should come down gradually on its own With your calcium you just have to dose Until you reach your required level your Your calcium level will go up and down as it gets Absorbed into the system So you need to test regular to keep in check

 

[Fish2reef]

Hi there
You may need to check your magnesium levels as well having the right magnesium levels will help Towards stabilising the other two your dKH should come down gradually on its own With your calcium you just have to dose Until you reach your required level your Your calcium level will go up and down as it gets Absorbed into the system So you need to test regular to keep in check

+1
Inadequate Mg level will affect your calcium/Alkalinity precipitation ratio, first check you Mg level.

 

[wetdiver]

Dose less alkalinity and more calcium? Unless I'm missing something...

Also, your salinity is kind of low for corals, which may be part of the reason your calcium is low. The salt mixes generally list parameters for about 1.025 or so.

I been dosing less ALK for a month and still the same numbers. I will up the salinity on the next water change.

 

[wetdiver]

Try dosing more alk and if you need to increase PH instead of using reef buffer use the PH+ from Brightwells or Aqua Vitro Balance as those will not touch Alk.

So dosing more ALK will bring the calcium up and bring the ALK down? I was thinking the other way around BUT is the only thing that i have not done at this point.

 

[wetdiver]

Hi there
You may need to check your magnesium levels as well having the right magnesium levels will help Towards stabilising the other two your dKH should come down gradually on its own With your calcium you just have to dose Until you reach your required level your Your calcium level will go up and down as it gets Absorbed into the system So you need to test regular to keep in check

+1 Mag is the other i can bring up is at 960 for the last month and i can't bring it up. I'm dosing 2 table spoons per week of MAG for a month and still nothing.

 

[DRThompson]

I would stop dosing alk and dose only Ca until you are at level desired then start back on both. Max you can raise Ca safely is 50ppm per day

Also, for Mg you can raise 100ppm per day. I would dose mag, wait an hour, check level, dose again. Repeat until you are up 100ppm then repeat every day until you are at desired level. What Mag supplement are you using?

 

[Fish2reef]

I would solve the mg issue first; Mg in natural sea water is 1285 figure out how many table spoons of whatever you are using takes to raise it 100ppm per day as DRThomson suggested you should be there by Thursday. Maintain mg stable them move to Calcium.

Rome was not built in one day.

 

[wetdiver]

I would solve the mg issue first; Mg in natural sea water is 1285 figure out how many table spoons of whatever you are using takes to raise it 100ppm per day as DRThomson suggested you should be there by Thursday. Maintain mg stable them move to Calcium.

Rome was not built in one day.

thank you

 

[gatoralum69]

thank you

Man...just give me all your corals and call it a day

 

[AquamanE]

so dosing more alk will bring the calcium up and bring the alk down? I was thinking the other way around but is the only thing that i have not done at this point.

no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[AquamanE]

I would solve the mg issue first; Mg in natural sea water is 1285 figure out how many table spoons of whatever you are using takes to raise it 100ppm per day as DRThomson suggested you should be there by Thursday. Maintain mg stable them move to Calcium.

Rome was not built in one day.

I agree with Dr. T and Lulio. 1. Bring up you Mag, ide go as high as 1350-1400.

2. Stop Dosing.

Once Mg is at the above level:

3. Bring the levels to what you want for Ca/and alk

4. Test daily for a few days. Write it down. Once you fiqure your daily consumption, boost everything back to #3,

5. and start adding dosing at equal levels according to your consumption. Make sure to dose equal parts of a/b.

Once it stabilizes all you will need to monitor frequently (2-4 x week) is Alk, since you are dosing equally, and they are consumed equally, Alk will be your indicator. As things settle, you can monitor Alk every few days, and ca, and Mg monthly.

 

[wetdiver]

I agree with Dr. T and Lulio. 1. Bring up you Mag, ide go as high as 1350-1400.

2. Stop Dosing.

Once Mg is at the above level:

3. Bring the levels to what you want for Ca/and alk

4. Test daily for a few days. Write it down. Once you fiqure your daily consumption, boost everything back to #3,

5. and start adding dosing at equal levels according to your consumption. Make sure to dose equal parts of a/b.

Once it stabilizes all you will need to monitor frequently (2-4 x week) is Alk, since you are dosing equally, and they are consumed equally, Alk will be your indicator. As things settle, you can monitor Alk every few days, and ca, and Mg monthly.

Thank you.. That's a good idea. I was trying to battle 3 things at once and by doing so I was getting nowhere.

I will start dosing MAG tomorrow and see were a go from there..

 

[reefsahoy]

Check this site out to calculate how much mg, alk, and ca you will need.
I agree with the mg levels. All three, mg, alk, and ca interact with each other.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator

This calculator is very accurate!

 

[rps3]

Yup, Rick get that mag up. I keep my tank at 1400-1500. Every water change I'll check the mag next day. Then calcium and alk, usually alk is the thing to watch out for. I need to get back to testing my water again. I have a feeling it's what putting my tank out of whack.

 

[nivram]

As everyone else said. Stop dosing alk supplement and get your magnesium up. Then adjust alk and calcium. The calculator someone posted is a great tool.

You will use a lot of mg solution to get it where it needs to be.