Alk and Cal problem.

[fishlips]

Been doseing alk &cal . Tank full of hard coral.
Thought I had my doser set correctly.
Some how my cal is 520.Alk 7
Here is where I'm at .For 5 days shut down cal.
Changed alk pump from 60 ml to 70 ml.
Its not coming up.Coral is doing fine.
Total water system is 145gal.Do I ride it out.Till cal comes down.Should I slowly raise alk

 

[dball711]

Do you know what your Mag is at, if its too low it might be contributing to the issue.

 

[fishlips]

Didn't even think of that.Checked awhile ago.Let me check.thanks

 

[fishlips]

Mag 1480.
I know someone will ask.Using redsea test kit.

 

[bcavalli]

I suspect that with the higher calcium level it's driving your Alk down. I would let your Calcium fall naturally and up your dosage of Alk till your back in balance in a few days. Then re adjust your daily dosages. I've seen my system go from high to low Alk /Cal usage and I make monthly adjustments if necessary.

 

[fishlips]

Thanks.That's what I was doing.Was wondering if 70 ml sounded to much.

 

[bcavalli]

I've varied from 60ml to over 100ml over the past two years with 200+ net gallons.

 

[black reef]

Make sure the the mag level is stable 1300-1350 first before fixing cal /alk level . Precipitation occurs

 

[jennm]

Can CA even go that high without precipitating out?

I'd question the test.

Sometimes laying off dosing completely for 2-3 weeks, and just doing normal water changes and pH buffer if it's needed, is the best way to let levels settle out.

You can tinker too much chasing one number which causes another to go out of whack.

As counter-intuitive as it sounds, letting it be for a few weeks usually solves the see-saw CA/Alk cycle.

Jenn