adjusting Ca and Alk

fishytime · #1 11-08-2010, 07:21 AM

yup....dosing both at the same time will cause a snow storm in your tank......like Lance said best to dose at different times of the day......or better yet with a dosing pump

Myka · #2 11-08-2010, 02:41 PM

If you have to dose them at the same time, dose calcium first and wait 30 minutes before dosing alkalinity. Make sure it is well diluted in the tank before it hits the corals, as the slurry will instantly burn the corals.

Lance · #3 11-08-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

yup....dosing both at the same time will cause a snow storm in your tank......like Lance said best to dose at different times of the day......or better yet with a dosing pump

Dosing pumps really are the best way to go. I used to dose manually and hated it. I use a 5 liter Bubble Magus container for each. Fill them up and I'm good for 3 weeks.

chris88 · #4 11-08-2010, 11:35 PM

Hounestly i does alk and then 2 minutes later i dose the calcium. If you do it in a high flow area they will dissolve alomst instantly.

paddyob · #5 11-09-2010, 12:05 AM

You risk precipitation by dosing together. Jason if you are using builder and advantage... which I thought you were... the instructions I believe indicate dosing should not be done together.

Alterante days.... just test and be diligent with dosing.

You could also try better salt. Since I started using H2Ocean my clacium never drops. Kh is all I dose now.

Ditch the Instant Ocean!!!!!

bignose · #6 11-09-2010, 12:51 AM

I'm seriously starting to consider different salt. But first I should finally learn to dose my tank on a regular basis. I've been depending on my salt too much. I've found that Ca and Alk levels in my tank are dropping way faster than I thought. I didn't realize that little frags could suck up so much.

paddyob · #7 11-09-2010, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bignose

I'm seriously starting to consider different salt. But first I should finally learn to dose my tank on a regular basis. I've been depending on my salt too much. I've found that Ca and Alk levels in my tank are dropping way faster than I thought. I didn't realize that little frags could suck up so much.

Your rock also absorbs elements. Coraline algae my friend.

chris88 · #8 11-09-2010, 02:31 AM

Hounestly just dose one and wait 5 or 10 minutes and dose the other, if you get parcipitation i will be beyond shocked. Make sure its in a high flow. I have to dose daily because my sps grow like weeds and i have never had a problem with it. CAL 440ppm alk 7.5 dkh

Myka · #9 11-09-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddyob

You could also try better salt. Since I started using H2Ocean my clacium never drops. Kh is all I dose now.

Ditch the Instant Ocean!!!!!

I switched from IO to H2Ocean, and I still have to dose just the same. The only difference is that with IO I would add calcium, magnesium, and potassium to the fresh saltwater to get the parameters right before doing a water change; with H2Ocean I still have to add magnesium and potassium....so why am I paying $20 more for a pail that mixes up 40 gallons less? I don't know! The H2Ocean mixes up easier and cleaner, but honestly I notice no difference in my reef or dosing schedule.

daniella3d · #10 11-09-2010, 03:05 PM

Exact same experience here switching from IO to H2O so I returned to IO, but with Reef Crystal. Still 25$ less than H2O.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

I switched from IO to H2Ocean, and I still have to dose just the same. The only difference is that with IO I would add calcium, magnesium, and potassium to the fresh saltwater to get the parameters right before doing a water change; with H2Ocean I still have to add magnesium and potassium....so why am I paying $20 more for a pail that mixes up 40 gallons less? I don't know! The H2Ocean mixes up easier and cleaner, but honestly I notice no difference in my reef or dosing schedule.