Alkalinity driving me nutzz! What do I do next?

masonicman · 10/16/2012, 09:17 AM

I've been fighting this alkalinity thing for a month now and I'm getting a little frustrated. Here's what's going on. I just test for alk, mag, and calcium ten minutes ago. After continuous testing over the past month, I know I need to dose for a 1dKH increase with in 24 hours in order to maintain a steady acceptable Alk parameter. For the past week my numbers have been the following. I'm using B-ionic two part and I want my Alk at an steady 10 dkh, so do I need to just add part 1 only for a few days which with increase my alk and allow the calcium to go down a little? I have not added any mag for about 3 weeks now.

Alk 8.45
Cal 460
Mag 1440

jerpa · 10/16/2012, 09:24 AM

If you want to increase alk dose enough of part 1 to raise your alk 1.5dkh for three days. This will raise your alk .5dkh per day, after accounting for consumption, and should get you close to ten. I wouldn't raise it more than that per day to avoid stressing inhabitants.

As you raise your alk you can discontinue the calcium part for a few days if you would like it to fall. Once it has reached a level you like begin dosing the same amount as your daily alk dose.

a.browning · 10/16/2012, 09:28 AM

If you're trying to bring alk up to 10, I'd dose it up to 10 with a couple doses of the alkalinity, perhaps spread out over a couple days just in case. If you just add one part for a few days, your alk will remain where it is and your calcium will drop, if you're adding it in the same amount as you usually are. If that makes sense! Yep, you're definitely good on mag, most tanks will never need mag dosed since most salt mixes seem to have crazy high mag levels.

masonicman · 10/16/2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerpa

If you want to increase alk dose enough of part 1 to raise your alk 1.5dkh for three days. This will raise your alk .5dkh per day, after accounting for consumption, and should get you close to ten. I wouldn't raise it more than that per day to avoid stressing inhabitants.

As you raise your alk you can discontinue the calcium part for a few days if you would like it to fall. Once it has reached a level you like begin dosing the same amount as your daily alk dose.

Cool thanks I will do this.

bertoni · 10/16/2012, 03:17 PM

I agree that discontinuing the calcium part and adding more alkalinity is fine.

10/16/2012, 09:17 AM	#1
masonicman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 1,313	Alkalinity driving me nutzz! What do I do next? I've been fighting this alkalinity thing for a month now and I'm getting a little frustrated. Here's what's going on. I just test for alk, mag, and calcium ten minutes ago. After continuous testing over the past month, I know I need to dose for a 1dKH increase with in 24 hours in order to maintain a steady acceptable Alk parameter. For the past week my numbers have been the following. I'm using B-ionic two part and I want my Alk at an steady 10 dkh, so do I need to just add part 1 only for a few days which with increase my alk and allow the calcium to go down a little? I have not added any mag for about 3 weeks now. Alk 8.45 Cal 460 Mag 1440 __________________ It is better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission.......... Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed reef, 216w LED, Remora Pro skimmer, HOB fuge, 400w htr, ATO RO/DI, 90lbs LR and 1" SB.

10/16/2012, 09:24 AM	#2
jerpa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,174	If you want to increase alk dose enough of part 1 to raise your alk 1.5dkh for three days. This will raise your alk .5dkh per day, after accounting for consumption, and should get you close to ten. I wouldn't raise it more than that per day to avoid stressing inhabitants. As you raise your alk you can discontinue the calcium part for a few days if you would like it to fall. Once it has reached a level you like begin dosing the same amount as your daily alk dose. __________________ Jer Current Tank Info: 40b basement sump, 40b refugium, 30g frag

10/16/2012, 09:28 AM	#3
a.browning Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 975	If you're trying to bring alk up to 10, I'd dose it up to 10 with a couple doses of the alkalinity, perhaps spread out over a couple days just in case. If you just add one part for a few days, your alk will remain where it is and your calcium will drop, if you're adding it in the same amount as you usually are. If that makes sense! Yep, you're definitely good on mag, most tanks will never need mag dosed since most salt mixes seem to have crazy high mag levels. __________________ 75 SPS, 80 & 45 Frag Tank, 40B Leather Tank

10/16/2012, 03:17 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree that discontinuing the calcium part and adding more alkalinity is fine. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni