Dosing Alk and calcium

Cozwey · 08/01/2013, 08:32 PM

I was told when I dose I should do my carbon alk first and then 30 min later my calcium buffer. Does this sound correct?

disc1 · 08/01/2013, 08:35 PM

You should leave a little time between dosing one and the other yes. The reason is that when dosed right on top of one another they'll sometimes precipitate out of solution.

Cozwey · 08/01/2013, 08:41 PM

I knew I had to leave it a while but in one of the posts on Sk8trs blog she mentioned waiting 8 hours between. I am really confused. I was using salt that was too low in all the right areas so I switched to a different brand. I know I will still have to buffer but am hoping to get my numbers up. Calcium was 360 after a 30% water change. I am going to WC once a week and buffer until I get it where it needs to be. Darn cheap salt

thegrun · 08/01/2013, 09:32 PM

If you make large doses (.5 Dkh alkalinity or 50 ppm calcium) you are best to wait a couple of hours between additions, but smaller more frequent doses are better. I dose alkalinity on the hour and calcium on the half hour 24/7.

bnumair · 08/01/2013, 09:34 PM

just to be on safe side i always recommend opposite dosing schedules.

Mr tap water · 08/02/2013, 10:43 AM

I found that an interesting read

08/01/2013, 08:32 PM	#1
Cozwey Go Canada!!!! Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 363 Blog Entries: 1	Dosing Alk and calcium I was told when I dose I should do my carbon alk first and then 30 min later my calcium buffer. Does this sound correct?

08/01/2013, 08:35 PM	#2
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	You should leave a little time between dosing one and the other yes. The reason is that when dosed right on top of one another they'll sometimes precipitate out of solution. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

08/01/2013, 09:34 PM	#5
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	just to be on safe side i always recommend opposite dosing schedules. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

08/01/2013, 08:41 PM	#3
Cozwey Go Canada!!!! Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 363 Blog Entries: 1	I knew I had to leave it a while but in one of the posts on Sk8trs blog she mentioned waiting 8 hours between. I am really confused. I was using salt that was too low in all the right areas so I switched to a different brand. I know I will still have to buffer but am hoping to get my numbers up. Calcium was 360 after a 30% water change. I am going to WC once a week and buffer until I get it where it needs to be. Darn cheap salt

08/01/2013, 09:32 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	If you make large doses (.5 Dkh alkalinity or 50 ppm calcium) you are best to wait a couple of hours between additions, but smaller more frequent doses are better. I dose alkalinity on the hour and calcium on the half hour 24/7.

08/02/2013, 10:43 AM	#6
Mr tap water Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 248	I found that an interesting read