Calcium dosing intervals for large adjustment

Koresample · #1 03-12-2009, 11:56 PM

I've been following the dosing instructions from Randy Holmes Farley's article http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...hf/index.php#2 and it talks about dosing the calcium first, then alk (which is fine), then adjusting the Mg. Is this incorrect? Does anyone else use this process?

fkshiu · #2 03-13-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koresample

I've been following the dosing instructions from Randy Holmes Farley's article http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...hf/index.php#2 and it talks about dosing the calcium first, then alk (which is fine), then adjusting the Mg. Is this incorrect? Does anyone else use this process?

That is absolutely correct. What I meant was that you need to have all of the three key parts of the reef chemical triangle at proper levels for there to be stability.

Koresample · #3 03-13-2009, 12:42 AM

ok, so i just need to dose in small amounts over a couple more days until the Ca is correct, then do small increases in my Mg?

lorenz0 · #4 03-13-2009, 04:44 AM

Go very very slow. took me 3 weeks to get my calcium up. same with Mg. no point rushing it cause nothing enjoys that

mark · #5 03-13-2009, 05:55 AM

Thought that a low Mg will limit your Ca, so what I've been doing if mixing new IO (low in Ca and Mg) is boost the Mg first then and the Ca supplement. If I ever need to adjust my system, been following the same order (Mg then Ca).

My belief is somewhat re-enforced by this article (What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium?) or at least my understanding of it, though probably really doesn't matter what order since not running my Ca or Alk overly high.

Would also suggest raising levels over a few days. Seen this calculator?

Myka · #6 03-13-2009, 05:58 AM

I dose mag, then alk, then calcium. I agree, 20-30 ppm per 24 hours.

Koresample · #7 03-14-2009, 03:30 AM

yup, that is the same (or very close) to the one i have been using here http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html which i think is the same one in a different (flash) version. The funny thing is that in the calculator i used, it suggests raising the Mg, but the one you posted does not (all things being equal; Aquarium volume 35.8g, Ca now if 400, target 440, Mg now 1150, dKH 11), it says i am at my target Mg for that Ca and dKH reading.