New RANDY's 2 part
- Thread starter paradoxycal
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jdieck
New member
With a drop of 1 dKh the calcium in thory should have dropped only around 7 ppm which is a small difference to be detected by the test kit. In any case just keep on adding more alkalinity supplement than calcium, once run out of it you may increase the concentration in the solution for the next batch.
Also try to investigate possible causes for the unbalanced consumption. Here is an article that can give you some ideas:
When Do Calcium and Alkalinity Demand Not Exactly Balance?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rhf/index.htm
Also try to investigate possible causes for the unbalanced consumption. Here is an article that can give you some ideas:
When Do Calcium and Alkalinity Demand Not Exactly Balance?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rhf/index.htm
DevilBoy
New member
i think this paragraph from the article sums it up.
So the first "deviation" from the rule of calcium and alkalinity balance really isn't a deviation at all. If an aquarist is supplying a balanced additive to his aquarium, and calcium seems stable but alkalinity is declining, it may very well be that what is needed is more of the balanced additive, not just alkalinity. This scenario should be assumed as the most likely explanation for most aquarists who should look for more esoteric explanations for alkalinity decline only if calcium RISES substantially while alkalinity falls. Likewise, if alkalinity is rising and calcium seems stable when using a balanced calcium and alkalinity additive system, the most likely explanation is that too much of the additive system is being used.
it says to use more of the balanced additive to so i wonder if i start matching my ca part with the alk part if that will take care of the problem. but later in the paragraph it says that in inadequate dosing of the balanced supplements would explain the alk drop but only IF ca RISES.
hmm
So the first "deviation" from the rule of calcium and alkalinity balance really isn't a deviation at all. If an aquarist is supplying a balanced additive to his aquarium, and calcium seems stable but alkalinity is declining, it may very well be that what is needed is more of the balanced additive, not just alkalinity. This scenario should be assumed as the most likely explanation for most aquarists who should look for more esoteric explanations for alkalinity decline only if calcium RISES substantially while alkalinity falls. Likewise, if alkalinity is rising and calcium seems stable when using a balanced calcium and alkalinity additive system, the most likely explanation is that too much of the additive system is being used.
it says to use more of the balanced additive to so i wonder if i start matching my ca part with the alk part if that will take care of the problem. but later in the paragraph it says that in inadequate dosing of the balanced supplements would explain the alk drop but only IF ca RISES.
hmm
sterbrock1
New member
In other words, what the article is saying here is that there is much more (larger percentage) calcium in saltwater than carbonate (Alk), therefore, when you are adding too much (or too little) two part solution you will see a larger change in an Alkalinity test than in a Calcium test. The aquarist incorrectly assumes his tank is using up Alk (when dosing too little) or assumes his tank is using up Ca (when he is dosing too much.
The article goes on to say that other than above, the other things that throw off Ca and Alk show up more on a long term basis rather than just a couple of days like you're seeing.
It sounds like you need to increase your dosage of 2 part solution and run some more test for the next few days. Eventually things will become stable as you increase the dosage and find the proper dosage.
The article goes on to say that other than above, the other things that throw off Ca and Alk show up more on a long term basis rather than just a couple of days like you're seeing.
It sounds like you need to increase your dosage of 2 part solution and run some more test for the next few days. Eventually things will become stable as you increase the dosage and find the proper dosage.
So, I'm trying to make some Randy's 2-part. I couldn't find any of the calcium chloride products he mentioned. What I found was a product called "Hot Stuff" made by "Qik Joe." It is labeled as "calcium chloride flake." IT has only this chemical reference listed CAS #010043-52-4.
So, do you think it is safe? Do I need to run tests on a solution of it? If so, what tests? Thanks!
Here's the link for the stuff: http://www.milazzoindustries.com/hot-stuf.htm
So, do you think it is safe? Do I need to run tests on a solution of it? If so, what tests? Thanks!
Here's the link for the stuff: http://www.milazzoindustries.com/hot-stuf.htm
nattydread
Member
I just started dosing two part. I buffered first to get my levels up where the kalkreactor was failing.
I have 150 gal sps system about 9 months old. About 20 or so corals, 12 fish.
ANyway, im testing everyday, and every day my alk is dropping. Im increasin two part slowly, but Im up to 100 ml. Im guessing ill end up even higher.
Is this normal.
I have 150 gal sps system about 9 months old. About 20 or so corals, 12 fish.
ANyway, im testing everyday, and every day my alk is dropping. Im increasin two part slowly, but Im up to 100 ml. Im guessing ill end up even higher.
Is this normal.
ANyway, im testing everyday, and every day my alk is dropping. Im increasin two part slowly, but Im up to 100 ml. Im guessing ill end up even higher.
Is this normal.
That does not seem especially high to me. A heavy SPS tank can easily use 1 mL per gallon per day or more. Have you measured magnesium to ensure that you do not have excessive abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate?
I seem to dose a lot of alk too, wassup with that?
Uh, you need a lot? A little more info would be useful to give much of a reply.
Is this normal.
That does not seem especially high to me. A heavy SPS tank can easily use 1 mL per gallon per day or more. Have you measured magnesium to ensure that you do not have excessive abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate?
I seem to dose a lot of alk too, wassup with that?
Uh, you need a lot? A little more info would be useful to give much of a reply.
nattydread
Member
Magnesium is on the high side. I brought salinity up slightly to about 25.
i think your right about 1 ml, that seems to be where im headed.
Thanks again Randy!
i think your right about 1 ml, that seems to be where im headed.
Thanks again Randy!
You're welcome.
Good luck.
Good luck.
I have a heavily stock sps population in my 100. It sucks up alkalinity like a crack addict. Like Randy says its completely normal to use more alk then Calcium. More inhabitants utilize alkalinity as well as the acropora then calcium in the same amounts of acropora or stony coral. If you start seeing a growth spurt in your tank look for your alk to drop even further. Mine drops any where from 3 points - 2 points and it usually happens in 24 - 36 hours. My calcium gets used up in twice that amount of time though.
Last edited:
bohlke
PBITAWA
I have been using calcium chloride from Gemplers for about a year. I talked with them today and the get it from Standard Tar products in Milwaukee. So I called standard tar and they told me that there flake is from China or can be the Dow product if we specify it. I specifically asked about bromide and they said that they did not know if there was bromide in the product but that the MSDS didnt specify any. I asked if there was an updated MSDS and they are going to fax that to me. I asked how I would know if there was any bromide in the product and they said that there are trace elements (whatever is in the ground) but they could not say what the ppm of bromide was in the product. I am assuming that the level of bromide in the calcium chloride would not be high enough to register a high enough % on the MSDS?
bohlke
PBITAWA
Here are the updated specs from the MSDS I am not sure if this means its ok to use?
CaCL2 - 77%
NaCL2 - 2.74% max
MgCL2 - 0.50% max
Other impurities - 0.022% max
Calcium Hydroxide - 0.060% max
Sulfate (SO4) - 0.07% max
Heavy Metals (Pb) - 0.001% max
Iron (Fe) - 0.003% max
Calcium Carbonate - 0.010% max
Not sure what all is in the other impurities, I am guessing that there is some good way to determine ppm based on mixing 2.5 cups of this in 1G of water but those braincells were killed off in college
CaCL2 - 77%
NaCL2 - 2.74% max
MgCL2 - 0.50% max
Other impurities - 0.022% max
Calcium Hydroxide - 0.060% max
Sulfate (SO4) - 0.07% max
Heavy Metals (Pb) - 0.001% max
Iron (Fe) - 0.003% max
Calcium Carbonate - 0.010% max
Not sure what all is in the other impurities, I am guessing that there is some good way to determine ppm based on mixing 2.5 cups of this in 1G of water but those braincells were killed off in college
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