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12/10/2019, 10:32 AM | #1 |
Will work for fish
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 910
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Calcium stable dose but alkalinity isn't ?
Hi guys. I dose with a bubble Magnus 30ml, on a 24 hour cycle at 12 point increments for my calcium. My calcium and magnesium is stable at 450/1400 but my alkalinity fluctuates and ultimately runs high.
Can somebody help me understand why my calcium is stable but my alk isn't? I don't dose mag it stays at 1400. I do weekly 10% water changes Thank you!!! Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
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Trying to keep the tank clean ONE DAY AT A TIME. Current Tank Info: 50g cube |
12/10/2019, 10:39 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 276
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What do you dose?
Are you sure ca measurments are correct and accurate? Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk |
12/10/2019, 11:05 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 20,050
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If your alk is increasing over time lower your dosage..
If your alk is decreasing over time increase your dosage.. There is also quite a bit of potential variation in measurement tools/techniques so its important that you don't chase numbers and don't over react to minor fluctuation. "Ultimately runs high" IMO means you simply need to lower your alk dosage..
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12/10/2019, 12:06 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 561
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In my experience, alk seems to react more quickly than calc to an excess or shortage of dosing. If my dosing is too low, it seems to show up much quicker in my alk numbers than my calc numbers. It has also been my experience that you are more likely to need to dose more alk than calc if you're not dosing the same amounts. How much of each are you dosing a day?
Also, as previously mentioned, be careful with your testing. For alk, I generally use the Hanna checker but will sometimes run it a couple of times and/or do a Salifert test for comparison, particularly when I get an unexpected result. It's probably best not to overreact to a single result. Matt |
12/10/2019, 01:05 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,906
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Consumption may not be equal.
I autodose with the same frequency as you. But daily, I need 1ml MG, 13ml, CA and 22ml, ALk to stay on point. I use pre-made Seachem products so that concentration of the supplement remains consistent. |
12/10/2019, 01:54 PM | #6 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2012
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Quote:
Except for some special cases that usually are short lived, alk and ca dosing should be equal if you are using a 2 part solution. The only scenario alk and ca dosing is diffrent if you are using diffrent concentration solutions... My 2 cents Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk |
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12/13/2019, 09:41 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Alabama
Posts: 2,912
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Unless you have clams or tons of sps, Ca will not need to be dosed or monitored like alk.
How are you dosing alk, NaHCO3 drip? As stated, it will fluctuate 10-20% during the day.. I use Salifert and test once a week, don't chase numbers, give a range of like 2.8-3.5 mEq/L if you are not using a Ca reactor. With a Ca reactor, #s will be very stable after dialed.
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OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt |
12/13/2019, 09:51 PM | #8 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2012
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Quote:
Not need to be dosed is incorrect. Both alk and ca shoild be dosed alwayes otherwise you will have an imbalance system. CArx dose both alk and ca equally and that's why it one of the best systems to run as the reefer do not have much oppurtunity to mess with system balance by dosing ome element without the other... Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk |
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