Calcium & Alkalinity Adjustments

[NCC-1701]

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about high calcium (600 PPM) and low alk (4 dKH). I switched from Oceanic salt to Instant Ocean salt as recommended. The calcium has drifted down from 600 PPM to 560 PPM, but the alk is still low.
I made a batch of recipe 1 part 2 last night. I had to boil the water to get all of the baking soda into solution. Was it OK to use a Teflon pot to boil the solution?

I plan to add the part two supplement according to on line calculator to increase the alk.
I have a 215 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump and approximately 250 to 300 lbs of live rock. Would 175 to 180 gallons be a good guess?
Should I just add the part two only since the calcium is so high and the alk is so low?
At what point should I start adding part one of the supplement in a balanced manner?
Should I start adding part one after the calcium drops below 450 PPM?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Was it OK to use a Teflon pot to boil the solution?


Yes. :)

I have a 215 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump and approximately 250 to 300 lbs of live rock. Would 175 to 180 gallons be a good guess?

Sure. :)

Should I just add the part two only since the calcium is so high and the alk is so low?


Yes, just add the alkalinity part until the calcium comes down more. When the calcium hits 450 ppm, use both. :)

[NCC-1701]

Thanks!

[DrBegalke]

With a Ca of 600, you may find that it takes more of "part 2" then the calculator says due to precipitation of CaCO3, you might also find what looks like little grains of sand stuck to the glass and other surfaces... just FYI.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks!

You're welcome.

Good luck. :)