Chasing the big 3

mpderksen · 11/14/2016, 08:48 PM

Parameters:
SG. 1.026
Temp 77°F
Ca >600. Hanna
Mg 1360 RedSea
Alk 5.3 RedSea
pH 7.8-8.1 Apex

The tube in my Alk broke and for some time I haven't actually been adding the 24ml/day that I needed to keep up. I realized when I went to refill and while the Part 2, CA was nearly empty, the Part 1, Alk was nearly full.
I stopped the Ca for now, and increased the Alk by 3 min/dose (4 times each day). According to a calculator, I need 124ml to bring the Alk back to 9.0 in my 75 gal. If my brain is working correctly, the extra will take 10 days to correct. I'll monitor the Calcium every few days and make sure it doesn't drop below 380.
Once I get back to normal, I assume I'm supposed to ALWAYS add equal parts of the B-Ionic 2-part, right?

A sea K · 11/15/2016, 07:44 AM

It may take a little longer than 10 days to correct the alk imbalance depending on the actual uptake of alk your tank needs, that is if you did not consider that factor when you did your calculations in the first place.
Well yes and no, typically add the same of each part but quite often and over a period of time it is not unusual for the cal/alk parameters to drift slightly requiring a correction of one part or the other.

homer1475 · 11/15/2016, 08:54 AM

In my tank (80G) i add 124ml of alk, and only 100ml of CA.

I had always thought you were supposed to add them in equal parts also, until Bertoni explained how with time and maturity, you can adjust the dose so they are not exactly equal and thats just fine. They are made to add in equal parts, but your tanks needs dictate how much each should be added.

It all depends on your tanks needs.

11/14/2016, 08:48 PM	#1
mpderksen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Manteca, CA Posts: 1,853	Chasing the big 3 Parameters: SG. 1.026 Temp 77°F Ca >600. Hanna Mg 1360 RedSea Alk 5.3 RedSea pH 7.8-8.1 Apex The tube in my Alk broke and for some time I haven't actually been adding the 24ml/day that I needed to keep up. I realized when I went to refill and while the Part 2, CA was nearly empty, the Part 1, Alk was nearly full. I stopped the Ca for now, and increased the Alk by 3 min/dose (4 times each day). According to a calculator, I need 124ml to bring the Alk back to 9.0 in my 75 gal. If my brain is working correctly, the extra will take 10 days to correct. I'll monitor the Calcium every few days and make sure it doesn't drop below 380. Once I get back to normal, I assume I'm supposed to ALWAYS add equal parts of the B-Ionic 2-part, right?

11/15/2016, 07:44 AM	#2
A sea K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Branford Fl Posts: 3,024	It may take a little longer than 10 days to correct the alk imbalance depending on the actual uptake of alk your tank needs, that is if you did not consider that factor when you did your calculations in the first place. Well yes and no, typically add the same of each part but quite often and over a period of time it is not unusual for the cal/alk parameters to drift slightly requiring a correction of one part or the other. __________________ I am not a pro so excuse me if I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 30gal Deep Blue rimless 9/10/2014, 80gal Deep Blue rimless 40gal sump/refugium 9/11/16 LPS reef, 2 x Kessil A160 with a single Maxspect Razor, RO Prime 150INT skimmer, Sicce 3 return pump, Vortech MP40 and MP10

11/15/2016, 08:54 AM	#3
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	In my tank (80G) i add 124ml of alk, and only 100ml of CA. I had always thought you were supposed to add them in equal parts also, until Bertoni explained how with time and maturity, you can adjust the dose so they are not exactly equal and thats just fine. They are made to add in equal parts, but your tanks needs dictate how much each should be added. It all depends on your tanks needs. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"