View Full Version : calcium low and alk high?
nycsicktank
03-03-2008, 11:29 PM
my calcium is 360 and my alk is 11. :help: no wonder my coralline has stop growing:headshake2:. should i dose calcium?
archer772
03-04-2008, 12:24 AM
I am dealing with the same problem with a friends tank. Calcium can help lower your alk ( what are you useing for calcium) but you really need to find out how your alk got out of hand. If your sorce water is good then I would try a couple water changes first if not then correct your source water and try WC's. JMO
Pufferpunk
03-04-2008, 1:06 AM
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#4
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605
nycsicktank
03-04-2008, 1:58 AM
thanks puffer but i read it already and its giving me headaches. :hypnotized:
can you break it down for me?
i know coralline takes up cal and alk. but why is my alk higher than cal?
would it hurt dosing only cal?
Pufferpunk
03-04-2008, 2:00 AM
Dose only what you need.
nycsicktank
03-04-2008, 2:12 AM
thanks
You need to get them in balance. I suggest water changes and a good 2 part solution. Don't raise it more than 20ppm per day.
nycsicktank
03-04-2008, 6:35 PM
i sure will grins thanks =)
archer772
03-04-2008, 9:48 PM
What does your sorce water test at before you mix in the salt and what do the tests show after you mix the salt.
Batmanjay28
03-04-2008, 9:59 PM
What's a good level for alk? I test mine but I'm not sure about what is ok.
Batmanjay28
03-04-2008, 10:12 PM
I just tested mine and it took 8 drops to turn the blue to yellow. So correct me if I'm wrong but I think I have a good level of ALK.
archer772
03-04-2008, 11:01 PM
What type of test kit and it should have a chart to tell you what it is
Pufferpunk
03-04-2008, 11:37 PM
What's a good level for alk? I test mine but I'm not sure about what is ok.
Read those links. If you're going to keep a reef tank, you've got to learn this stuff.
Batmanjay28
03-05-2008, 12:14 AM
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#4
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605
So you all dose your tanks the 2-part way? Just like in the acticle?
I'm willing to do anything to help my corals thrive, so I'm up for dosing the 2-part way if that's the way to go.
Pufferpunk
03-05-2008, 12:18 AM
Yes, I dose the baked, baking soda method daily for my alk & I use Pedlow pellets daily in my sump for calcium. Magnesium, I use Epsom salt, when necessary.
Pufferpunk
03-05-2008, 1:01 AM
I suggest daily testing as you dose at 1st. Then when you reach your desired levels, test every other day for another week & then 1x/week for about a month. I still test about every 2 weeks or so, as my corals keep growing & using more suppliments as they do so. Of course, after finding out about the benefits of dosing vitamin C to my tank, a lot of that has changed...
archer772
03-05-2008, 1:05 AM
Do you have any links on Vitamin C dosing
archer772
03-05-2008, 1:13 AM
Yes, I dose the baked, baking soda method daily for my alk & I use Pedlow pellets daily in my sump for calcium. Magnesium, I use Epsom salt, when necessary.
You dose baking soda daily and are you putting peladow right into the tank without mixing?? What is causing your alk to drop so fast that you need to dose daily.
Pufferpunk
03-05-2008, 1:20 AM
LOL, lots & lots of corals. I dose 50ml of baking soda, mixed as described in the 2-part article & 1-2 tsp Pedlow, straight into my sump.
As far as vitamin C--it's a long story & the thread has been split:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1252294&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
Best to start at the beginning & read all the way through, if you want all the testimonials or try this thread for a recap:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1318886&highlight=vitamin
I'm on 4 months of dosing VC now & am in total awe as to what it is doing for ALL my corals!