SPS parameters

[SaltwaterAdict]

I just tested my parameters and they're looking pretty good except for alk/cal.

nitrate: 2.5-5ppm
phos: 0-trace

alk: 11-12dkh
cal: 380-390ppm
mag: 1300

I'm using dosing pumps for my 2-part.

Would it be a good idea to turn off my dosing pumps for a few days-week to get the alk/cal back in check. I'm thinking the alk is a little high and cal is too low. Would turning them off balance things out? Should I continue to keep dosing cal because it's low? I remember hearing if you're alk is out of wack then so will be your cal. lmk what you think would be the best route. thanks

 

[chrishayes]

Yes, continue dosing cal. It will lower the alk either by precipitaion or uptake depletion. Just make sure your on top pf testing so that you know when that seesaw gets back to level then stop dosing both. Test after 24hours or whatever timeframe you use to spread your doses to see how much of each have been used. Then plug in your current numbers with your desired numbers into one of the chem calculators. Dose what it tells you to then wait 24hours, test again. Adjust dosing higher or lower depending on your test results. once you get no change in 24 hours of your dose then thats where you leave your dosing amount until later tests show you need to start this process again. likely 2-3 months. This is why weekly tests are so important, if you dont do them you could find your numbers have drifted significantly with a programmed dosing method or any 2 part dosing I guess.

You must start this procedure with your numbers where you want them to be! Use the test kits and chem calculator to get there.

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html