Dosing ALK only

JRF · 10/27/2009, 08:23 AM

Hi
With water changes , so far, I am able to maintain my Calcium level around 420 - 430 , but my ALK usually drops and gets to around 7.5 - 8 Dkh. I would like to boost the Alk a bit so is it OK to start a liquid dosing regimine for ALK only ( possibly using the ALK from BRS with a dosing pump ) ? Or would it be best to does for Cal also?
THanks!

Cybernobbie · 10/27/2009, 08:39 AM

Sure you can dose ALK only. It won´t make much sense at your current CA level to dose even more CA.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 10/27/2009, 09:12 AM

Yes, but if you continue to dose alkalinity only, calcium will fall unless you do water changes with a high calcium mix.

FWIW, boosting alkalinity by 2 dKH using a balanced alkalinity and calcium supplement will only boost calcium by 14 ppm. So you are not likely to even notice the difference unless you look really carefully.

JRF · 10/27/2009, 09:24 AM

great, thanks for the info !

Randy Holmes-Farley · 10/27/2009, 11:02 AM

Good luck.

10/27/2009, 08:23 AM	#1
JRF Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: NC Posts: 602	Dosing ALK only Hi With water changes , so far, I am able to maintain my Calcium level around 420 - 430 , but my ALK usually drops and gets to around 7.5 - 8 Dkh. I would like to boost the Alk a bit so is it OK to start a liquid dosing regimine for ALK only ( possibly using the ALK from BRS with a dosing pump ) ? Or would it be best to does for Cal also? THanks! __________________ "And God said, let the waters under the heaven be gathered unto one place.....And the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: And God saw that it was good". Current Tank Info: 220 mixed reef

10/27/2009, 09:12 AM	#3
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	Yes, but if you continue to dose alkalinity only, calcium will fall unless you do water changes with a high calcium mix. FWIW, boosting alkalinity by 2 dKH using a balanced alkalinity and calcium supplement will only boost calcium by 14 ppm. So you are not likely to even notice the difference unless you look really carefully. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

10/27/2009, 09:24 AM	#4
JRF Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: NC Posts: 602	great, thanks for the info ! __________________ "And God said, let the waters under the heaven be gathered unto one place.....And the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: And God saw that it was good". Current Tank Info: 220 mixed reef

10/27/2009, 11:02 AM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	Good luck. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

10/27/2009, 08:39 AM	#2
Cybernobbie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 14	Sure you can dose ALK only. It won´t make much sense at your current CA level to dose even more CA.