Let's talk about Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium in an SPS Tank - Page 15

gary faulkner · 02/24/2010, 08:50 PM

I don't think I have ever heard of Damprid, can you fill me in on it and where to obtain?

TIA

Aquarist007 · 02/24/2010, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary faulkner

I don't think I have ever heard of Damprid, can you fill me in on it and where to obtain?

TIA

Have you read Randy's article yet:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

"The calcium ions in the solution obviously supply calcium to the tank, and the hydroxide ions supply alkalinity. Hydroxide itself provides alkalinity (both by definition2 and as measured with an alkalinity test), but corals consume alkalinity as bicarbonate6, not hydroxide. Fortunately, when limewater is used in a reef tank, it quickly combines with atmospheric and in-tank CO2 and bicarbonate to form bicarbonate and carbonate"

old_mr2 · 02/24/2010, 11:06 PM

I think its your equivalent to dowflake (calcium chloride)

Many aussies use it with great success for Ca dosing.

adam1980 · 11/03/2010, 02:37 PM

Thanks jb great thread

allsps40 · 11/12/2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hybridazn

sorry i should have put everything from the test results.

ph- 8.3

i use reef crystals salt mix.

i used to dose purple up but i havent in about 2-3 months. i guess i will try to do the test again and see what happens.

I have found that RC has high alk and ca. Mine tests at 520ppm ca and 13dkh alk. If you dont have a large demand for ca that may be why its high.

mojorizn · 12/10/2010, 03:00 PM

Yep, a great thread. I'll toss in my info.

1.026 / 9-10 Dkh / 440 Ca / 1450 - 1500 Mg

I use the BRS two part and I have 2 BRS dosing pumps. Currently I'm only dosing 24ml of Alk daily and dosing Cal a couple times a week by hand.

I do a 3-4 gal WC twice a week as well.

ant-elp · 12/12/2010, 06:15 PM

7 to 7.5 dkh yields the best results for myself,using prodibio products

ptr13 · 12/17/2010, 12:53 PM

With alk,does it really affect sps with RTN or is it nitrates or PO4,been keeping my alk at 8,Ca at 440 and Mg at 1350,salinity at 1.025,temps 79,PO4 level at .02 and nitrates undetectable. I am just frustrated because the levels are suppose to be right there and the sps are still bleaching,not all though,just some of sps.

Mizdog · 01/01/2011, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptr13

With alk,does it really affect sps with RTN or is it nitrates or PO4,been keeping my alk at 8,Ca at 440 and Mg at 1350,salinity at 1.025,temps 79,PO4 level at .02 and nitrates undetectable. I am just frustrated because the levels are suppose to be right there and the sps are still bleaching,not all though,just some of sps.

If an sps isn't getting a good amount of flow it will start to bleach. If they are bleaching from the base it could be flow, pests, or other problems. I'm betting that they need a little more flow. Not direct flow, but a bit more water moving around them could help.

rbonafide · 01/16/2011, 10:24 AM

Has anyone ever had and issue like this. All levels are perfect except for Mg. Calcium 450 alk 9.3 and Mg is 1130. What do I do?

DrHarryLopez · 01/16/2011, 04:33 PM

Bump up the Mg with Epsom salt 4lbs in 1 gal of RO, pour into sump over a short period.

BIG L A · 01/29/2011, 10:58 AM

Mag always takes a large amount of dosing to get to acceptable levels. But once you get your levels up, you will dose less frequently...

REEForBANG · 02/11/2011, 03:16 AM

Time to adjust my parameters

110galreef · 02/17/2011, 09:02 PM

so what are everyone's opinion's/ideas on ALK level in the 7.0-8.0 range that are using biopellets or vodka dosing? It seesm that the alk should be in this range opposed to 9-11dKh.

also keeping Cal level in the low 400's & Mag 1300-1350.

What if any downside is there to a lower dKh of say 7.5? does this lower level create any possible problems? Will this affect any corals other than SPS negativley? LPS, softies etc....

Thanks,

Aquarist007 · 02/17/2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 110galreef

so what are everyone's opinion's/ideas on ALK level in the 7.0-8.0 range that are using biopellets or vodka dosing? It seesm that the alk should be in this range opposed to 9-11dKh.

also keeping Cal level in the low 400's & Mag 1300-1350.

What if any downside is there to a lower dKh of say 7.5? does this lower level create any possible problems? Will this affect any corals other than SPS negativley? LPS, softies etc....

Thanks,

Low alkalinity will have a big effect on a lot of corals.
Corals not only use calcium to build their skeletons,but the carbonate alkalinity also plays a big roll in it.If the alkalinity is to low,SPS and LPS cant build their skeletons and start to decline pretty quick.

Similarily high ranges of alkalinity can cause rtn to set in

110galreef · 02/17/2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capn_hylinur

Low alkalinity will have a big effect on a lot of corals.
Corals not only use calcium to build their skeletons,but the carbonate alkalinity also plays a big roll in it.If the alkalinity is to low,SPS and LPS cant build their skeletons and start to decline pretty quick.

Similarily high ranges of alkalinity can cause rtn to set in

at what point does that happen about.

Seems many have run 7.0 while in the ULNS with biopellets?

Fieroguy19 · 02/18/2011, 08:25 AM

So I am curious about how/when everyone adjusts their alk when dosing 2 part. I am plagued with slow growth in my tank even though the levels are steady and in the right range. My corals have great color but really slow growth. I was wondering if it had something to do with how I adjust my levels. I keep my alk at 8.5 and Ca at 420 using limewater in my topoff and just a few ml of 2-part daily.

I am wondering if things would grow faster if I added more alk/cal even though my levels are stable, testing to make sure the corals are using the additional alk/cal that I am adding so it doesn't spike. I just figure that maybe their growth is being limited by the lower amount of dosing that I currently use even though things are stable with the current dosing levels.

Mikey122687 · 02/21/2011, 01:26 AM

I keep my Cal at 420-440. Alk at 8-9 dkh, and mag at 1450 and everything seems to be doing great.

110galreef · 02/21/2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey122687

I keep my Cal at 420-440. Alk at 8-9 dkh, and mag at 1450 and everything seems to be doing great.

with or without biopellets?

Mikey122687 · 02/21/2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 110galreef

with or without biopellets?

With 500ml of EcoBak

kevl · 03/16/2011, 08:53 AM

My Alk is 11dKH, Ca 380, and Mag 1230. It's okay to just add Ca supplements to raise Ca a bit right? Or will doing this impact other parameters negatively? I have a 29g Biocube and do 10% WCs every week. I'm using Sera Marin Ca as my supplment. I also use Sachems PH 8.3 powder in my RO for maintaining PH a couple times a week.

110galreef · 03/16/2011, 09:15 AM

you can add just Cal to bring it up to where you want. If the supp you use has other things in it, thse will rise to tho

kevl · 03/16/2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 110galreef

you can add just Cal to bring it up to where you want. If the supp you use has other things in it, thse will rise to tho

Thanks! Anyone have experience with Sera Marin supplements? Or might suggest safe Ca only supplements?

schoolisbad1 · 03/16/2011, 11:10 AM

Hello, I have about 60g total volume, pretty heavily stocked, all sps. Growth is good, but my alk drops 2-3 dkh a day, so I'm thinking about getting a dosing setup. I am using 2 part alk from BRS and calcium have been using reef fusion. The reef fusion has mag in it so I have not been dosing separately for it or testing... I was wondering if I should get the 2 or the 3 dosing pumps. Alk, Calc and Mag? How often do you guys dose Mag? could I just do 2 part and rely on water changes for Mag?

110galreef · 03/16/2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevl

Thanks! Anyone have experience with Sera Marin supplements? Or might suggest safe Ca only supplements?

bulkreefsupply.com has bulk calcium, alkalinity & magnesium only supps that many around here use. Cheap too.

12/10/2010, 03:00 PM	#356
mojorizn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Corpus Christi, Tx Posts: 46	Yep, a great thread. I'll toss in my info. 1.026 / 9-10 Dkh / 440 Ca / 1450 - 1500 Mg I use the BRS two part and I have 2 BRS dosing pumps. Currently I'm only dosing 24ml of Alk daily and dosing Cal a couple times a week by hand. I do a 3-4 gal WC twice a week as well. __________________ You'll put your eye out... Current Tank Info: 65G + 20 sump 2x 150 Reeflux12K + 4x39 T5 (2ULV Super Atinic / 2 ATI Blue + )

01/16/2011, 04:33 PM	#361
DrHarryLopez One Happy Reefer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ozone Park, New York Posts: 3,267	Bump up the Mg with Epsom salt 4lbs in 1 gal of RO, pour into sump over a short period. __________________ NYReefClub Reefing since 1/2000 Current Tank Info: 180g reef, 55g Frag, 40g refuge, 75g sump, 2 Ati 250 Bubble masters, Wavebox, stream2, MP40's, blueline HD 100 main pump

01/29/2011, 10:58 AM	#362
BIG L A Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 381	Mag always takes a large amount of dosing to get to acceptable levels. But once you get your levels up, you will dose less frequently... __________________ PH 8.15 Ca-480 Alk-9.0Dkh = Meq/L 3.20 Mag 1350 P04 0.02 Trates 0 Current Tank Info: 120G mixed Reef, 50G breeder sump, Apex controller, vertex 250IN skimmer, DIY 88/3w LEDs , 2 vortech MP40's

02/17/2011, 09:02 PM	#364
110galreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 2,466	so what are everyone's opinion's/ideas on ALK level in the 7.0-8.0 range that are using biopellets or vodka dosing? It seesm that the alk should be in this range opposed to 9-11dKh. also keeping Cal level in the low 400's & Mag 1300-1350. What if any downside is there to a lower dKh of say 7.5? does this lower level create any possible problems? Will this affect any corals other than SPS negativley? LPS, softies etc.... Thanks, __________________ Inwall Basement Setup w/ Growout Tank & Common Acrylic sump, SRO XP3000E, Neptune Apex, Bubble Magus Triple Doser, CLS- Super Dart Gold + OM 4way, 2-400w MH & 4-80w T-5, ROX .08 carbon...

02/18/2011, 08:25 AM	#367
Fieroguy19 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 175	So I am curious about how/when everyone adjusts their alk when dosing 2 part. I am plagued with slow growth in my tank even though the levels are steady and in the right range. My corals have great color but really slow growth. I was wondering if it had something to do with how I adjust my levels. I keep my alk at 8.5 and Ca at 420 using limewater in my topoff and just a few ml of 2-part daily. I am wondering if things would grow faster if I added more alk/cal even though my levels are stable, testing to make sure the corals are using the additional alk/cal that I am adding so it doesn't spike. I just figure that maybe their growth is being limited by the lower amount of dosing that I currently use even though things are stable with the current dosing levels. __________________ 90g mostly SPS

02/24/2010, 08:50 PM	#351
gary faulkner Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,468	I don't think I have ever heard of Damprid, can you fill me in on it and where to obtain? TIA

02/24/2010, 11:06 PM	#353
old_mr2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Newcastle AU Posts: 38	I think its your equivalent to dowflake (calcium chloride) Many aussies use it with great success for Ca dosing.

11/03/2010, 02:37 PM	#354
adam1980 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gaylord Michigan Posts: 323	Thanks jb great thread

12/12/2010, 06:15 PM	#357
ant-elp Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: easton,ct. Posts: 41	7 to 7.5 dkh yields the best results for myself,using prodibio products

12/17/2010, 12:53 PM	#358
ptr13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: bolingbrook Posts: 2,276	With alk,does it really affect sps with RTN or is it nitrates or PO4,been keeping my alk at 8,Ca at 440 and Mg at 1350,salinity at 1.025,temps 79,PO4 level at .02 and nitrates undetectable. I am just frustrated because the levels are suppose to be right there and the sps are still bleaching,not all though,just some of sps.

01/16/2011, 10:24 AM	#360
rbonafide Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 74	Has anyone ever had and issue like this. All levels are perfect except for Mg. Calcium 450 alk 9.3 and Mg is 1130. What do I do?

02/11/2011, 03:16 AM	#363
REEForBANG Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 644	Time to adjust my parameters

02/21/2011, 01:26 AM	#368
Mikey122687 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 144	I keep my Cal at 420-440. Alk at 8-9 dkh, and mag at 1450 and everything seems to be doing great.

03/16/2011, 08:53 AM	#371
kevl Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: East Coast Posts: 82	My Alk is 11dKH, Ca 380, and Mag 1230. It's okay to just add Ca supplements to raise Ca a bit right? Or will doing this impact other parameters negatively? I have a 29g Biocube and do 10% WCs every week. I'm using Sera Marin Ca as my supplment. I also use Sachems PH 8.3 powder in my RO for maintaining PH a couple times a week.

03/16/2011, 09:15 AM	#372
110galreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toledo OH Posts: 2,466	you can add just Cal to bring it up to where you want. If the supp you use has other things in it, thse will rise to tho __________________ Inwall Basement Setup w/ Growout Tank & Common Acrylic sump, SRO XP3000E, Neptune Apex, Bubble Magus Triple Doser, CLS- Super Dart Gold + OM 4way, 2-400w MH & 4-80w T-5, ROX .08 carbon...

03/16/2011, 11:10 AM	#374
schoolisbad1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 104	Hello, I have about 60g total volume, pretty heavily stocked, all sps. Growth is good, but my alk drops 2-3 dkh a day, so I'm thinking about getting a dosing setup. I am using 2 part alk from BRS and calcium have been using reef fusion. The reef fusion has mag in it so I have not been dosing separately for it or testing... I was wondering if I should get the 2 or the 3 dosing pumps. Alk, Calc and Mag? How often do you guys dose Mag? could I just do 2 part and rely on water changes for Mag?