Recipe #1 has no effect

[nepuck]

Randy:

I have been using your "Two-Part Calc. & Alk. additive system" for several months now w/ good results.

Last week I upped the dosages of both Calc. and Alk. from 100 ml/day to 150ml/day. Seven days later; Alk is unchanged (2.85 meq/L or 7.98 dKH) and Calc has dropped from 355ppm to 345ppm.

I assumed the readings would increase. Any thoughts or ideas as to why not?

PH (8.0-8.3) & Mag (1400-1415) are stable

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Adding more should boost the values, but not as much as you might think, since the demand for calcium and alkalinity in the tank increases as the alkalinity and pH increase. IMO, 8 dKH is fine (I recommend 7-11 dKH), but if you want it higher, you might try even more. Maybe try 200 ml per day for a few days and see how that does.

 

[nepuck]

How bout the Calc levels? I also add limewater along with the calc solution and it is dropping.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Are you doing water changes? That might bring the calcium down if it is a low calcium mix. Otherwise, maintaining alkalinity ought to maintain calcium. If not, when observed over long enough to be sure it isn't noise, you might need to boost calcium if, for example, the two part ratio is off a bit.

 

[dbrown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6771214#post6771214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
Adding more should boost the values, but not as much as you might think, since the demand for calcium and alkalinity in the tank increases as the alkalinity and pH increase. IMO, 8 dKH is fine (I recommend 7-11 dKH), but if you want it higher, you might try even more. Maybe try 200 ml per day for a few days and see how that does.

If KH has been low for awhile will corals aggresively take it up? I'm having the same problem as nepuck. I've dosed about 400ml over two days and brought KH up from 5 to about 7.6 where it has stayed for the last 150ml.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I do not think they have a pent up demand that gives them a burst of activity, but that might be the case. But in general, boosted alkalinity boosts the demand permanently as they take up more each day at higher alkalinity.

 

[nepuck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6772524#post6772524 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
Are you doing water changes? That might bring the calcium down if it is a low calcium mix. Otherwise, maintaining alkalinity ought to maintain calcium. If not, when observed over long enough to be sure it isn't noise, you might need to boost calcium if, for example, the two part ratio is off a bit.

Interesting that you ask about water changes. I have a 20 gal batch of Instant Ocean ready. I tested and here are the readings:

temp = 77.6
Salinity = .0255
Alk = 10.92 dKH (Seachem)
Mag = 1388 (Seachem)
Calc = 350 (Seachem)
PH = 8.1 (Fastest)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The calcium and alkalinity are certainly typical of IO, and will contribute to calcium declining over time if not corrected for somehow.

 

[nepuck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6782792#post6782792 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
The calcium and alkalinity are certainly typical of IO, and will contribute to calcium declining over time if not corrected for somehow.

Pardon my ignorance; How do the IO alk and calc readings contribute to calc decline over time?

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If you are doing water changes with low calcium/high alkalinity salt like IO, and maintain alkalinity in the tank, the calcum will decline as corals use calcium and alkalinity equally.

 

[nepuck]

ahhh. So should I try to elevate the calc level of the make-up water prior to a water change?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That's one option. Boosting the aquarium as necessary is another that works just as well.

 

[nepuck]

"boosting" meaning adding additional calc part #1?

On another note: Do you have issues with calcification clogging pumps, tubing, etc.?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes.

Pumps should be cleaned regularly. I use limewater, and I clean mine once a year or so.

 

[nepuck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6786717#post6786717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
Yes.

Pumps should be cleaned regularly. I use limewater, and I clean mine once a year or so.

My sump return pump is an Iwaki 20 and I have to clean it about every 1-2 months or it will seize due to calc build-up. The limewater auto make-up is throttled down to a trickle and I manually dribble the calc and alk solutions each day but I still get calc build-up on the sides of the sump and on impellers and such. Kind of a pain in the neck.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Making sure magnesium is adequate, and mixing in the limewater/tank water well before it gets to pumps can both help.

 

[nepuck]

thanks much

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.