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View Full Version : Help with maintainging Ca and Alk

PirateLove
02/05/2016, 06:46 PM
Hi Reef Central. I have a 42 gallon tank and 15 gallon sump. I have a few frags of sps, a two headed frogspawn, tiny kenya tree, and three two inch frags of encrusting whatever.

Yesterday my alk was 8 so I dosed 60ml of brs soda ash and I measured today it is still at 8.

My calcium yesterday was 440 now today it is 400.

Can these 8 small corals be using 40ppm of calcium a day and like 1dkh of alk?

I am new to dosing.
vhuang168
02/05/2016, 08:11 PM
What is your mag levels at? You might have low levels of mg and when you dosed that much soda ash, could have caused precipitation which will eat up calcium. Is there white stuff or is your sand clumping?
BrianKC
02/05/2016, 08:17 PM
What is your mag levels at? You might have low levels of mg and when you dosed that much soda ash, could have caused precipitation which will eat up calcium. Is there white stuff or is your sand clumping?


Agreed. There was a great post here on RC recently that I can't find. I think Sk8r posted it. But basically it said if you keep Mg stable at around 1320, Ca and Alk are really easy to maintain.
PirateLove
02/05/2016, 10:34 PM
Last time I checked my Mag levels were 1400.
PirateLove
02/05/2016, 10:37 PM
What is your mag levels at? You might have low levels of mg and when you dosed that much soda ash, could have caused precipitation which will eat up calcium. Is there white stuff or is your sand clumping?

Hmmm not sure what you mean by white stuff but my sand is clumping. When I turn my mp40 on super high, the sand washes away but clumps of sand stay. If that is what you mean.
vhuang168
02/05/2016, 10:39 PM
Yes. The high Alk and I'm guessing your low mg levels will cause the Alk n the Ca to interact causing precipitation. Looks like it's causing your sand to clump
PirateLove
02/06/2016, 04:44 PM
Yes. The high Alk and I'm guessing your low mg levels will cause the Alk n the Ca to interact causing precipitation. Looks like it's causing your sand to clump

My magnesium is 1400 though, not low? So I have a few frags and I am dropping 2dkh in alkalinity a day. Does this sound right?
Blue spot
02/06/2016, 04:56 PM
What about coraline algae growth , although you have few corals is this taking off ?
PirateLove
02/06/2016, 05:40 PM
I have not seeded any coraline yet. I have the real reef rock.

I added pictures of the only corals I have. So last night my alk was 8 when I checked. Went to the BRS calculator and added the correct amount of soda ash. Tested after that and it was at 10. Now 24 hours later it is at 8 again.

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