High demand for ALK

[jaustin]

Well things are growing nicley and my ALK is being depleted FAST. Things have gotten more demanding in the last couple of months but in the last 4 weeks i've been increasing my ALK dose. I'm testing ALK every day and adding alk in small doses but i'm not doing it fast enough because my ALK is 6.2 DKH. I've upped my dose and will be swiching to the BRS two part. That should keep my alk up....get to use the BRS calculators!

Anybody else see alk get sucked up when things start looking good? SPS are colorfull!

 

[cr500_af]

My SPS are fairly young, and I'm still "using" alk like there's no tomorrow. I have to dose contantly to keep it above 4 meq/l. I would like to investigate why, but every time I find any articles they get to be a difficult read pretty fast... I'd love to find a water chemistry reference that covers most of the important stuff but does it in layman's terms to keep it simple for those of us who haven't been in a classroom in 20 years.

 

[jaustin]

The coral uses alk to deposite calcium. It uses 2 alk per 1 cal.

 

[cr500_af]

Thanks... that helps. I am still probably having to dose alk at a rate of 3:1 or more compared to calcium.

 

[jaustin]

sounds about right. I dose the same now. It means skelleton is being made.:yay:

 

[grouper therapy]

Before determining a dose by trial and error, aquarists must first ensure that calcium and alkalinity are roughly in the correct ranges. If not, make any necessary one time corrections (see below) and then begin dosing. Start at some dose seemingly appropriate for the aquarium’s size and inhabitants. Starting too slowly can be easier to correct than starting too fast, and avoids overestimating the demand.
Most additive methods come with a suggested starting dose. Follow that dose for 2-3 days, and check the alkalinity. Ignore calcium at this point, as it responds very slowly to over- or under dosing. Alkalinity should be your guide. If, after 2-3 days, the alkalinity is substantially higher than you want, back off on both calcium and alkalinity. If alkalinity is too low, increase both calcium and alkalinity. Again, wait 2-3 days and repeat the process. Keep doing that until you have determined an appropriate dose that keeps the alkalinity where you want it.

If you use the two part recipe and get the alk up to where you want it then use equal amounts for 2-3 days and test alk. do not adjust the alk and not the calcium, adjust both at the same amount . Test the alk after another 2-3 days adjust equally again to get the alk where you want it and the calcium will follow.

 

[jaustin]

Cal is good. It's alk that's low. My Cal was 450 and alk was 7, now cal is 420 and alk is 6. I'm just bumping up alk back up to 7 and then dosing them together.

 

[grouper therapy]

That is the way to do it. If the alk is low again in 2 to 3 days do not dose just the alk at a higher dosage, dose both parts equally higher and test in two the three days. If you continue to dose alk alone higher they will never balance.

 

[mvm]

JAustin;396540 wrote: Cal is good. It's alk that's low. My Cal was 450 and alk was 7, now cal is 420 and alk is 6. I'm just bumping up alk back up to 7 and then dosing them together.

One of the best investment I've made for my cube:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Two-Part-Kits/c52/p272/Drew&%2339;s-Doser-Peristaltic-Dosing-Pump/product_info.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Two-Part-Kits/c52/p272/Drew&%2339;s-Doser-Peristaltic-Dosing-Pump/product_info.html</a>

I have my AcJr controlling them. Calcium in the middle of the day in one contant dose, and alk at night (when PH falls the fastest) ~8 ml every hour. For the first time since set up, my PH stays between 8.15 and 8.35.

I used to hate going on vacation because I knew my levels would get whacky. Now I just test every month or so and up dosage as needed. I have never had coraline algae like I have now! Can you tell I'm happy? :thumbs:

 

[jaustin]

Oh, i know about those man....i would love one but i don't have the 200 laying around to get them or the controller. I just spent on a chiller just in case my ac dies while i'm at work. Those and a controller will be next.

 

[tgray3]

cr500_af;396526 wrote: I'd love to find a water chemistry reference that covers most of the important stuff but does it in layman's terms to keep it simple for those of us who haven't been in a classroom in 20 years.

Barry, you might want to check this out if you want a book reference. I liked it and if i can understand it.............

 

[snowmansnow]

running a calk reactor with say your ATO will keep your alk up wont it?

wait? will it? its getting late after a long week haha

 

[grouper therapy]

It depends on when you test your alk as well if you dosed last night and then test the next night before you dose it will of course read low since it has been 24 hrs since an addition. The main then is once one raises it to the level one wants it, is to dose equally from then on . If one does not dose equally it will be a never ending chase and never balance out.